Here is a link to a 2004 automotive industry forecast I came across today on canadiandriver.com.

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/pb/2004.htm

It is an opinion piece that I found quite interesting and thought provoking. Of particular interest to me was his ominous forecast for Mercedes-Benz and BMW (basically that they're in big trouble), as well as his take on Mazda:

"The Mazda6 and Mazda3 are excellent products with good word of mouth promotion. Mazda will be playing a central position in Fords future car development. Mazda is on a roll right now, whether they can sustain it remains to be seen - although the likelihood is that they can."

So...what do YOU think? What are your thoughts on the industry for 2004 and beyond?

Nate

I think they're pretty right on with most of the forecast. I agree, the future looks bright for Mazda, I just wish they could find a few more ponies for their cars. I don't see Nissan selling all of those Titans. As for Subaru, I think the new Legacy will have a big impact on their sales, and perhaps win over some people that never thought they would own a Subaru. The XT and Baja should increase in sales as well with the more powerful engines that are being offered.

Intersting for what he says about DaimlerChrysler. He thinks they may possibly have a chance of being on the way up. I've read financial reports that basically say Daimler needs to spin-off Chrsyler before it's too late...just have to wait and see.

I won't ever buy a non-rotary Mazda (I am on the fence with the Miata, it is a great car overall). I just don't think their conventional cars are any good. Fun to drive? Yes. Exciting style? Yes. Reliable and as trouble free as a Toyota? Not quite. Too many Ford parts mixed in. I'll stick to boring reliable Toyotas. Yeah, I compromised a little for my love of the rotary. I am a little wary of the RX8's unknown reliabilty. So far in it's brief life with me, it has been perfect. As much as I dislike their other models, I hope Mazda does well with overall sales of their cars. As long as they do well, they can take more chances with rotary sports cars.

Originally posted by NAVILES16V
I won't ever buy a non-rotary Mazda (I am on the fence with the Miata, it is a great car overall). I just don't think their conventional cars are any good. Fun to drive? Yes. Exciting style? Yes. Reliable and as trouble free as a Toyota? Not quite. Too many Ford parts mixed in. I'll stick to boring reliable Toyotas. Yeah, I compromised a little for my love of the rotary. I am a little wary of the RX8's unknown reliabilty. So far in it's brief life with me, it has been perfect. As much as I dislike their other models, I hope Mazda does well with overall sales of their cars. As long as they do well, they can take more chances with rotary sports cars.

My MP3 Protege is as reliable as a stone ax. I change the oil, I tune it up on the OEM schedule, and that's it. I think Mazda has a good reputation on reliablilty, and there aren't that many Detroit parts in it.

As long as their are Ford powered and half engineered Tributes, 6's and anything else, I won't even touch them. I hate American cars, and I refuse to give them my money. Ford owns Mazda, and they are getting a percentage of what I paid for my RX8, but that just shows you how great this car is for me to forgive that and buy it. For me to buy a non Toyota it has to offer similar quality and something so unique, Toyota could never duplicate it. I feel the rotary is (and the great car it's in) that. Instead of a MP3, Protege 5, or 3, I'd rather get a Corolla or Matrix. As cool as the 6 is, I'd rather have a Camry. Never mind the POS B series trucks...rebadged Rangers, yuck. I'm really a die-hard Toyota guy. I only make exceptions for rotary Mazdas.

Wise up, last time a checked Camry was made in Kentucky. No it is not a Japanese car. Better stay away from those Honda Accords made in Ohio, Ford 4 cyclinder made in mexico. The new Mazda 3, is made in Japan. so is over 90% of the parts from what I read on the sticker. Go figure. Bottom line, there are no lines anymore.

Oh. Stupid me. Yeah...whatver. I'll be a little more specific. I hate all American label cars and their subsidiaries regardless of where they are built. This is retarded. I won't post anymore about the subject. I got my opinion in. I never expected everybody to be fine with it. I'm sorry. I'm a misguided, very biased moron. I'm happy that way.

I have no problem if anybody else worships Fords, Chevy's, Yugo's whatever...I just don't.


One more thing....there's a reason why the "Big Three" continue to lose market share to the Japanese. Toyota happens to be close to overtaking Chrysler for #3, if they haven't already.

Originally posted by NAVILES16V
I won't ever buy a non-rotary Mazda (I am on the fence with the Miata, it is a great car overall). I just don't think their conventional cars are any good. Fun to drive? Yes. Exciting style? Yes. Reliable and as trouble free as a Toyota? Not quite. Too many Ford parts mixed in. I'll stick to boring reliable Toyotas. Yeah, I compromised a little for my love of the rotary. I am a little wary of the RX8's unknown reliabilty. So far in it's brief life with me, it has been perfect. As much as I dislike their other models, I hope Mazda does well with overall sales of their cars. As long as they do well, they can take more chances with rotary sports cars.

We have 3 Mazdas one 929 that has 180,000 miles with no big repairs, a 626 with 130,000 with no big repairs and a tribute with 60,000 that still drives like new.

But I agree with you, I won't touch an american car or a german one.

2004 and beyond for the auto industry?

Bleak



One of the "Big Three" is going down and the industry as a whole is plagued by overcapacity. Save for China, where the car market in 2003 grew by 35%, the auto industry really isn't doing so well. Ford and Chrysler are in essence auto loan banks and GM made more for selling mortgages.

Of course that may or may not mean bad things for the enthusiast, but autos in general are not doing so well.

Originally posted by NAVILES16V
Oh. Stupid me. Yeah...whatver. I'll be a little more specific. I hate all American label cars and their subsidiaries regardless of where they are built. This is retarded. I won't post anymore about the subject. I got my opinion in. I never expected everybody to be fine with it. I'm sorry. I'm a misguided, very biased moron. I'm happy that way.

I have no problem if anybody else worships Fords, Chevy's, Yugo's whatever...I just don't.


One more thing....there's a reason why the "Big Three" continue to lose market share to the Japanese. Toyota happens to be close to overtaking Chrysler for #3, if they haven't already.

Last I checked Toyota was #2 behind GM.

yes, #2 in car sales, not overall sales.

edit: oops, I didn't read that article. I knew Toyota was closing in on #2 in the world market, I didn't know it was official yet. Cool. I work for Toyota and it's a great company.