joec@u1100a.UUCP (Joe Carfagno) (05/17/84)
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I'm the one with the '83 New Yorker 5th Ave. with the skipping engine.
It'll be one year on June 16. Just a warning as to my feelings here.
This appeared in the New York Times:
"Lee A. Iacocca, chairman of the Chrysler Corp., today offered to freeze
the price of Chrysler's small cars and cut executive bonuses in half if
the Reagan Administration would take action against what he said are currency
and tax inequities that give Japanese automakers a cost advantage of $1600
a car.
He also pledged to freeze the company's use of imported cars and parts at
the current level if the United Automobile Workers agreed to change work
rules, link wage increases to productivity and quality increases, and assist
in limiting health-care costs.
In a speech before the national convention of the League of Women Voters
here (Detroit), Mr. Iacocca called for a conference of the Big Three auto
companies, the UAW, and the Government to develop alternatives to
continuing restrictions on Japanese imports or shifting American production
overseas." NY Times May 16, 1984
WELL...he's smarter than I thought. He knows a good thing when he sees it.
He knows the UAW will be tough in this year's negotiations - "Restore or
more" is their slogan, it has been rumored. Also, what does Lee plan to
do to address the QUALITY ADVANTAGE the Japanese automakers have over
American autos. Based on recent articles here concerning the prices of
foreign cars, I don't think there's much of a price difference - foreign
cars are quite expensive. People buy the foreign cars for quality,
durability, and reliability.
FINAL FLAME - lift the foreign import quotas. Maybe then, the American
car makers will produce a high quality, lower cost automobile. Maybe
then, they'll back up their product with some real customer service.
It's almost been a year since I bought my $14K piece of junk and I'm
still waiting for Chrysler to come through.
Thank you all for bearing with me through these episodes of flame.
I send each one to Mr. Iacocca - I have never, ever received a response,
not even a form letter from a subordinate. This tells me something...
Joe Carfagno
{ihnp4,allegra,pyuxww}!u1100a!joec abc@brl-tgr.ARPA (Brint Cooper ) (05/18/84)
Mr Iacocca might try making cars with the quality of a Toyota if he wants to compete successfully with the imports. Many folks buy these cars only after much agony with their consciences and their American junk!