American vs. Japanese: The Automotive Industry; No Longer an American Tradition

Abstract

The American auto industry is back on it's feet, only after being knocked down by the Japanese. Although the American industry will never again be as powerful as they were before the Japanese entered the auto market. No one is to blame for the lost market shares more than the Americans themselves. They neglected to look at economic forecasting and take notice of the changing desires of the American public. They handed the Japanese their slice of the American pie on a silver platter. The Japanese introduced a car that was being demanded by the American consumers. This car was inexpensive, dependable, and fuel efficient. Three concepts that American auto makers were uneducated in. The Japanese were experts at producing a car that was dependable and they could do it cheaper than anybody else. Their workers are dedicated to the cause and their management is responsive to ideas and suggestions from the engineers. From here the Japanese learned from the Americans. Their new sport and luxury lines are styled after the American products. They have their advertising, and promotion done by American companies for their American markets. Although the American industry is regaining lost ground, sales are not where they were projected to be and the foreign produced cars are selling as well if not better than ever now in this recession period. One fact says it all: The best selling car in American right now is the HONDA ACCORD.