American Whips

Barnacles!
That's what I say to the Big 3 Auto Makers of the Great United States.
Every year the design teams of the world's automobile manufacturers roll out these fantastic creations at their auto shows for all the world to see, showing off what the future of the industry holds for us, the consumer. And yet, every year we get CRAP rolling into the showrooms that their paid lackeys try and pawn off on us as "the next stylish sensation".
My ass!
Let's take a look at the Big 3's flagships, shall we?
GM has the Chevy Monte Carlo/Impala line. This year's model is a reshaping of the same model style that has been around for the past few years. It doesn't look too bad, but could really do better.
Daimler/Chrysler has the Dodge Charger. This model is by far the baddest thing off of the showroom floor out of the Big 3's arsenal. It turns heads without a single upgrade.
Ford has the new Fusion. Oh...my...god! Are they sh==ting me? Is this the car they want Americans to buy? This thing sucks! It's a Fusion all right...a Fusion of snail slime and pig slop!
All in all, about 75% of the American made autos are CRAP! They look like CRAP, they run like CRAP, they can't be worked on by anyone without expensive special tools, and they are way too expensive considering they are CRAP!
If the Big 3 want to start selling cars and making a profit, maybe they should start listening to the people that want to buy their cars. Look at what the younger generation want on their "street-racers" and add that stuff to the options list. More colors, with a wide variety of graphics packages, would add to the unique quality buyers are looking for today. Maybe primered cars from the factory delivered to buyers looking to paint the cars themselves?
Another thing on the horizon is the ethanol-fueled engines. These engines being available as an option in nearly every model would greatly expand the appeal of the entire line. Many people don't want to be forced into a "green" car, or the stigma it carries.
Next, create body styles that are unique and impressive. Look at the Fusion. Does that thing even look modern? It looks like it belongs in the '80s. From Chrysler.
The Mustang looks good. The Charger looks good. The new Camaros are going to look good. The Magnum looks good. The Cadillac XLR looks good. The SSR's look good. The Corvettes look good. The Pontiac Solstice looks good. The Impalas and Monte Carlos look good.
But what else? The SUV's and trucks all look the same, and have for the last fifty years! The compact cars are clones of the Pintos and Chevettes of the '70's, damnnit! The small cars of today are the J-cars and K-cars of the '80's. No there is just about NOTHING new coming out of Detroit these days except excuses why they can't make ends meet! Maybe if they'd build something we'd be proud to drive down the street in we might just buy more than one car a decade! And maybe, just maybe, the American-Made car would shove the Japano-wagon and Euro-sportster back across the ponds. Until then, those "Buy American" stickers should be put away until there is something worth putting them on.
Live and uncensored, this has been the Center of the Universe, blogging from the Great Green Recliner in the middle of it all. I'll put in a good word for you. Cheers!