I have read in the past few weeks myths about the US auto industry and the United Auto Workers union not only on Daily Kos but other "liberal" and/or "progressive" websites.
Fortunately, after pro-union or union workers voiced their facts and opinions, many readers finally understood that the attack on the Big 3 and the UAW was actually a right-wing attack to destroy the labor movement at any cost to the economy and the country.
But, there is another myth that has been promulgated here: that is the US auto companies made big gas guzzling vehicles because they just wanted to with disregard of the plain facts of what consumers want.
This myth is just plain wrong, but it continues--this is from a rescued diary of 12/2/08 from WilliamJohnCox;
"The Big Three have a track record of making really stupid decisions. Manufacturers have recklessly spent thousands of dollars per vehicle on advertising to convince drivers that they really want big gas-guzzling cars and trucks instead of the smaller fuel-efficient vehicles they really need. The car companies have foolishly peddled financing and leasing deals far beyond the financial means of their buyers, and they have vigorously opposed realistic fuel economy standards."
I don't disagree that the Big Three have made some bad decisions. However, the manufacturers made and built gas-guzzling vehicles for two reasons; Because these products are very profitable and because that is what the consumers want. Even this year with the projected sales to be 10.8 million, the top two selling vehicles are trucks (Ford F-Series and Chevrolet Silverado, in fact the Ford F-Series--if sales continue to go as they were in October 2008--will be the best selling vehicle for almost 30 years). Viewing the top 30 selling vehicles, there is still a mix between car, truck and SUV.
The projected auto sales at the beginning of 2008 were between 16-17 million. It was due to the oil shock and bad economy that sales of ALL vehicles, US and foreign have plummeted to an estimated level of approximately 10.8 million.
When it comes to gas guzzlers, that is why Honda, Toyota and Nissan all have built factories in the USA to make them. So, obviously consumers want them. Maybe some consumers even "need them".
So, the manufacturers did not do something dumb or reckless and it seems, have done something consumers want. We can debate whether it was good for the environment, workers, etc. We can even debate if they can be more fuel efficient (they can because the Big 3 are making improvements on their 'gas guzzlers'). But, let's stop promoting the myth that the Big 3 automakers made products the consumers did not want.
It seems many want to point the finger at the Big 3 (and if you do, point it at all auto manufacturers), when in reality, the finger should be pointed at the consumers who have consistently purchased gas guzzlers.