Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 31 at 2015 4:33 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 16:33:59 -0500

Buy American...or in my case German! lol

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 31 at 2015 7:01 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 19:01:51 -0500

I guess all of us are "car people", active duty and veterans alike. Thus this seems an obvious choice of discussion.

I had the pleasure of working with most of the Japanese auto manufacturers in a consulting capacity before I retired (much to the chagrin of a cousin who was an Army Ranger hopping Pacific islands during WWII). I also worked with the Korean makers of Hyundai and Kia as well as a couple divisions of American auto manufacturers.

I worked with Toyota the longest, four years. The first two years were among the best of my working life. I learned the Toyota Way and learned to respect it. In the last two years, Toyota switched their executives around and lost their "way". That's when the quality began to go down and the recalls went up. Most Toyota owners I know still swear by their cars. It'll probably take at least 20 years before the luster wears off the mark. (The same happened when American brands stopped being the most sought after.)

Honda was always a wonder. Even the Japanese we worked with wondered why Americans were so fascinated with them. I believe that in Japan, Honda is the least respected of all brands. Does the Honda Civic still have a solid rear axle? It did the last time I looked a couple years ago.

Nissan is by and far the best of the Japanese cars. I was working at Toyota when I bought my first Infiniti. Boy did I take a razing over that. But the Nissan V6 is the best V6 manufactured anywhere in the world. Also, I believe they outsell Toyota almost everywhere in the world but America. It's a marketing thing.

Yes, the Europeans build some fine products, but are too expensive for my pocketbook.

I have to close by saying that I am a fan of Ford. I love seeing their success, especially since it has come without the help of the government. We invested a lot of taxpayer money to keep General Motors and Chrysler alive and what did we get for it? The Volt? Shipping jobs to China? Giving away the shop to Italy? Are we surprised?

Honda and Toyota announce another recall

Honda and Toyota announce another recall

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 31 at 2015 4:33 PM

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 31 at 2015 7:01 PM