Filed under: Trends
Automakers and 'tough love' websites
Can the Internet with its free-flowing, non-censored, plethora of continuous information wake up the
automotive industry? Joe Guy Collier of the Detroit Free Press covered the Autoextremist, Solsticeforum, The Truth About Cars, and General
Watch sites well known for their blunt or, at the very least, colorful diatribe on various automakers.Each site has a unique history but all share similar intentions. Peter DeLorenzo, who has over twenty years' experience in advertising and marketing in the auto industry, started Autoextremist because no one in the media would openly voice their private concerns about automotive polices. Jim Dollinger, a GM car salesperson, started General Watch in hopes that his commentaries and editorials would help the troubled automaker. And freelance journalist ("basically, I'm unemployable") Robert Farago states similar purpose for his Truth About Cars site.
Honesty or vindictiveness? Bluntness or bashing? And is the automotive industry even listening?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
whofan 7:23PM (2/28/2006)
Now I get it. People here really do love GM. lol!
I think the auto makers should monitor these sites. They should know perception they have with a select group of people.
I think GM and Ford both build good cars, but in the past they had problems they can`t easily live down.
Toyota and other makers also have had their problems too. Toyota is like a teflon don. nothing sticks. they do no wrong and things are ignored or down played constantly in the press. My guess is someday things will catch up with them like GM and Ford.
I have always bought used cars and Toyota is always on my list.The best vehicle I`ve ever owned is my wifes Plymouth voyager. This is a vehicle that gets bashed for lacking quality. Could of fooled me?
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naif 7:37PM (3/01/2006)
Why would they listen now? They have not listened for the past 30+ years. No car guys, only bean counters.
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Steve 9:36AM (3/02/2006)
I agree. Ford and GM don't employ engineers and designers here in the States. It's obvious that they all work in their European divisions. Here in the States, they only employ executives and accountants. And probably some lawyers. These people design Ford and GM's cars in the States, not engineers and designers. It's unfortunate.
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Va car guy 9:53AM (3/06/2006)
The Big 2 1/2 have no credibility with me (and others, I suspect). I have been hearing all the talk about improved quality for 20+ years. I don't believe it. Last time I decided to give the Big 2 1/2 another chance, I ended up with a car that always seemed to have something wrong with it. These problems ranged from trivial (electric antenna quit twice), to life threatening (sway bar attachment broke off the strut and fell into the wheel). Let them try to find someone gullible they can sell their cars to. It won't be me.
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Va car guy 9:54AM (3/06/2006)
The Big 2 1/2 have no credibility with me (and others, I suspect). I have been hearing all the talk about improved quality for 20+ years. I don't believe it. Last time I decided to give the Big 2 1/2 another chance, I ended up with a car that always seemed to have something wrong with it. These problems ranged from trivial (electric antenna quit twice), to life threatening (sway bar attachment broke off the strut and fell into the wheel). Let them try to find someone gullible they can sell their cars to. It won't be me.
Reply