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Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!harpo!ihnp4!cbosgd!mark
From: mark@cbosgd.UUCP (Mark Horton)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.auto
Subject: Re: Chrysler Arbitration-Unhappy Unending
Message-ID: <1217@cbosgd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Apr-84 17:13:37 EST
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.1217
Posted: Tue Apr  3 17:13:37 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Apr-84 03:31:59 EST
References: <629@u1100a.UUCP> <8245@mgweed.UUCP>
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Columbus
Lines: 25

As I understand it, American Volkswagens aren't any prize, either.  Or
did the German ones go downhill too?

I can echo strong enthusiasm for the Ohio built Accords.  From what I've
been able to determine, they are identical to the Japanese ones, with
one trivial exception (I think it was the brand of tires or something
like that.)  But the reason for this is that the Honda plant in Marysville
uses Japanese management techniques (and American non-union workers).
If the UAW ever get a foot in the Honda door, it would probably be all over,
since the management techniques wouldn't work anymore.

One word of caution, however.  Honda dealers have now apparently joined
the ranks of Toyota dealers in price gouging.  I was one this morning,
and looked at the stickers of the new cars.  A typical sticker showed
a base price of, say, 7300, and there was a dealer added sticker that
showed the price "delivered in Columbus" at 7800.  They then proceeded
to add about $2000 worth of packs: rustproofing, air conditioning, and
so on.

The import quotas keep the supply down so far that they can ask any
price they want.  You would think there would be plenty of 4 door
Accords (that's all they build in Marysville) but that plant is scaling
up production very slowly and today (over a year since it opened) is
still only producing at about 2/3 the claimed capacity.  So Accords
are just as scarce as Civics.