Rich wrote:
Regaring VW quality, if it has initial poor quality that says a lot about what it will do long term.
No. You don't seem to understand this. We're not talking about quality in the same vehicle. We're talking about CQI in the production process after seeing how your "bleeding edge" technology works in production. Second, third, fourth, and fifth year models get better and better.
Toyota meanwhile will take old technology, and build a dependable and completely boring vehicle. That's their niche.
This is not "right" or "wrong", Rich. These are two different market niches. The customers are out there to buy things that you consider "inferior." Not everyone has your tastes. (Or mine, for that matter...) The world would be a boring place if they did.
Rich wrote:
Adding a comlpex suspension or engine will not help overall reliability.
By definition diesels are less complex than conventional gasoline engines. What makes the newer ones good has more to do with improved injection technology.
And air suspensions - as it turns out - are not new. And they really are quite simple. Moreover, having such a thing gives you possibilities that you cannot achieve with conventional mechanical (and in the case of some, electromechanical) types.
Rich wrote:
If you believe what you say a Toureg TDI would be in your driveway, no?
You aren't understanding what I'm telling you, Rich, and you must not be reading automotive news and following up on U.S. diesel laws and environmental regulations.
Fully 50% of what is sold in Europe is diesel - much of it from Audi/VW. They aren't hung up with it over there like our environmentalists are over here. And their diesel fuel is cleaner (we are catching up...). And they are way ahead of us on production of biodiesel.
Furthermore... It is well known that Europeans (like me) hold onto their cars for a very long time. This is another reason why the diesels stay over there, and have a hard time making it over here. The typical American driver will never fully appreciate its value if they want to trade up every few years.
Our country ***** on consumer diesel technology, and our legislators/enviornmentalists have their heads where the moon doesn't shine. VW has the V10 TDI in production, but has made a business decision not to push it in a market not receptive to it because of all the crap. They'd rather make all of them for the domestic market, where the wait for them is phenominal.
And right now with it made in Europe, we can't afford it. Our dollar isn't worth squat today w.r.t. the Euro. That may change... But for now, they'll have to do like Daimler Chrysler and the Japanese, and make stuff over here where labor can be paid in cheap dollars.
I visit the VW dealers regularly. They know what I want. They can't get it.
Rich wrote:
Lend me your copy of Consumer reports. I'll return it.
I do what I'm suggesting you do, Rich. I peruse the magazines in the bookstore. I buy one out of three that I peruse. I may have bought one of these in the past, but I wouldn't be able to find it.
It doesn't take any time to look up these stats in the yearly Consumer Reports car issue. And they are in every bookstore. It's the charts in the back with the red and black circles.
Rich wrote:I do not badmouth hybrids. I just am not enamored with them. In the real world they do not come close to meeting the economy projections. And, they are complex. In 5 years there will be a wave of 'aw $hits' coming from owners used to long term reliability and serviciablity of vehicles.
Sounds like badmouthing to me...
I do not share your lack of faith. And I'm the kind of person who for instance bought Virginia wines before they got good. My purchases helped the industry develop to a world class status - despite what the naysayers said. I had vision here...
What I want from a hybrid though is different from what a tree hugger wants. The manufacturers are finally "getting" that.
Stay tuned for this article I have up my sleeve...
- Bill
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