Detroit News article Aug. 04 2012. Auto sales new market.....

Truck sales also saved Ford and GM. I think Chrysler is being unfairly singled out, for producing what the marketplace wants.

JTE said:

I think it's accurate.

"And despite massive Washington incentives to push America’s market towards a greener, more European product mix, gasoline-powered sedans and trucks still make up nearly 97 percent of new vehicle purchases"
From The Detroit News http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130804/OPINION01/308040003#ixzz2b1pVoTbi


"So convinced was the Obama administration that Americans wanted electric, global warming-fighting vehicles that it invested millions in new battery and auto firms to make a new generation of green transport"
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130804/OPINION01/308040003#ixzz2b1q9ohRq

The Fusion is very popular in my area, but I am very close to Dearborn, no tsunami effect here. You can't second guess the truck market, it's what people want.

Click to expand...

Also, one company or entity cannot control a mass of people's perceptions. People have personal wants and desires, which when coupled with their perceived sense of need combine with the end result being a particular purchase. For some it's a Prius; for others it's a Pick-up; or in the case you state - a Fusion ( maybe even a Fusion Hybrid*).

{* - Note : Does anyone remember the SNL parody Ford commercial leveraging the Run-On problem Toyota was having? Punch Line : "Ford : We make Hybrids, too " }

Late Addition :

The article misses an important point, which I think should be included to touch on the greater story : Used Car sales 2007 to Present. Explore the balance between the two aspects of USA trends to date.

I know this has been discussed in another thread, but fleet sales and financial incentives are way up for the Japanese nameplates. Those practices are what caused much of the domestic manufactures' financial meltdowns.

patfromigh said:

I know this has been discussed in another thread, but fleet sales and financial incentives are way up for the Japanese nameplates. Those practices are what caused much of the domestic manufactures' financial meltdowns.

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Last year around Aug./Sept. Japan Inc. announced they were going to devalue the Yen to boost exports. And that has given the Japan Inc. exporters a $2000 - $3000 price advantage. This move could crash the D3 as they would have to match the lower prices, lease deals, and content issues. Suddenly a replay of selling vehicles at a loss reappears and we all know where that lead.

Yet not one politician in DC has voiced concern over this obvious violation of trade agreements ......... WHY ??

GuidoFL said:

Last year around Aug./Sept. Japan Inc. announced they were going to devalue the Yen to boost exports. And that has given the Japan Inc. exporters a $2000 - $3000 price advantage. This move could crash the D3 as they would have to match the lower prices, lease deals, and content issues. Suddenly a replay of selling vehicles at a loss reappears and we all know where that lead.

Yet not one politician in DC has voiced concern over this obvious violation of trade agreements ......... WHY ??

Click to expand...

Part of the reason is that many of these politicians are dumb as a box of rocks. Most of the smart ones are on the take from Wall Street banks who love international trade like casinos like blackjack customers, they make money on the action, they don't care who wins because they win either way. Wall Street also likes driving down wages.