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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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6

Big Three See Bumpy Road With 20-Somethings

Demographic key to rebuilding for US automakers

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(Newser) – Detroit automakers face a hard road when it comes to Generation Y—consumers aged 22-32 whose business is crucial to securing the firms' futures, BusinessWeek reports. Their boomer parents broke from tradition by shifting to Japanese cars, and Gen Y is following in those footsteps. Detroit “simply must do much better with Gen Y than they did with their parents, or the comeback we keep hearing about may not happen,” says an analyst.

Some 51% of Gen-Yers say they’re mulling Toyotas, a survey says. Only 34% said they were looking at Chevy, 32% Ford, and 10% Chrysler. Another survey suggests Gen Y is quick to reject brands based on perceptions of reliability and manufacturers’ “bad reputations.”

President Obama acknowledges Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally in the Rose Garden of the White House. Obama's backing of Detroit may encourage young people to buy.
President Obama acknowledges Ford Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally in the Rose Garden of the White House. Obama's backing of Detroit may encourage young people to buy.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
In this Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, the General Motors logo is seen on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
In this Jan. 12, 2009 file photo, the General Motors logo is seen on display at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
A survey suggests young people are favoring Toyota over Detroit.
A survey suggests young people are favoring Toyota over Detroit.   (Shutterstock)
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6 comments
VIEWING:
 
AClotfelter
May 29, 09 3:28 PM CDT
If they want us, they're going to have to put up or shut up... Reply
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+2
TRU2TM3
May 29, 09 6:01 PM CDT
They're right. Y in the fuck would I buy a Chrysler? Reply
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0
Yourself
May 29, 09 7:25 PM CDT
Dodge has had some nice products of late, too bad that Dodge can't save Chrysler all by itself. They need to just accept the facts and bring all their companies under one name and make sure that the one name they keep is a good one with a lasting reputation. (get rid of the actual chrysler brand for one!) Reply
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+1
lonewolf17
May 30, 09 8:59 AM CDT
I'll buy domestic when domestic makes a car that doesn't fall apart after 100k. My Camry has 400+ and is still going strong. Reply
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
OriginalMike007
May 30, 09 4:31 PM CDT
My parents have a 99 Ford Crown Victoria with over 175,000 miles on it and still running well. That being said most of Ford's cars aren't nearly as reliable.
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