So much for that toyota quality..
Wait wait! You mean American hybrids also have brake problems? Golly me, can't imagine such a thing as an American car company having quality problems.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35242362/ns/business-autos/
As a Quality Manager in the auto industry for the last 15 years everybody has their issues. We have supplied parts to all of them including the Ford, GM's and Chryslers as well as the Honda's and Toyota's. What I have noticed is that Toyota seems to be less unique in the way they treat quality and more and more people are moving over to them from other manufacturers. Everybody tried to copy the Toyota Production System 15 years ago and they failed to make large improvements over that time. I am guessing this is happening further and further up the management chain. In the past you couldn't see much non Japanese past a certain level. I don't think it is the Americanized manager that is starting the leveling of the playing field it is the culture that some of these managers grew up in.
I think GM is getting the Lessons Learned thing down and will start to make quick improvements if the government lets them find a good CEO like Mullaly at Ford.
Ford was big into the Things gone right and Things gone wrong through launches over the last few years that I think is starting to pay off. They also realize that they need to put technology in their cars (not to run their cars but accessories like SINC) that will get the next generation wanting their products.
Chrysler lost most of their good people over the last few years with buy out after buy out and then the bankrupcy. A couple people have good intentions but they are left with quite a few duds. (not all just the majority).
If it was me buying a new car (which I can't due to huge pay cuts to stay working in Michigan) I would currently go with Ford but Honda is still quietly staying high in quality. Nissan is kind of funny. They mixed with the French (Peugeot) but seem to mirror Ford in their plans and demands.
Just my opinion. I hate to see things get pumped up by the media. I still see side saddle gas tank chevy trucks on the road every day.
