Everything That's Wrong with the American Auto Industry

This week's episode tackles a long-running debate: are American cars inferior to their Asian and European counterparts? We break down the truth about Ford, GM, Stellantis, and Tesla, and how they stack up to Toyota, Honda, and other top automakers, revealing how performance and reliability drive our ratings. Plus: why the American dealership model is still so frustrating, Chinese EV competition, expert tips for negotiating the best price on a new or used car, and how to avoid costly add-ons. We also answer a viewer question about what we think American cars do better than the competition.

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SHOW NOTES
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00:00 Intro
00:15 Do Consumer Reports Hate American Cars?
00:55 The Myth About American Car Reliability
03:56 What Is an "American-Made" Car?
09:33 Why Consumer Choice Matters
12:37 Chinese EVs and the Future of the Auto Industry
20:26 Why Do Detroit Automakers Struggle With Reliability?
28:05 EVs vs. Hybrids: What's Next?
33:16 Why Buying a Car Is Still So Hard
35:42 Dealership Tips: Avoid Costly Add-Ons
42:06 The Future of the U.S. Auto Market
51:13 Audience Question: What Do American Cars Do Better?

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Best cars, SUVs, and Trucks from American Brands
consumerreports.org/cars/cars-best-american-ca…

Best cars made in the USA
consumerreports.org/cars/best-cars-made-in-the…

Who Makes the Most Reliable New Cars?
consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner…

Which Brands Make the Best Cars?
consumerreports.org/cars/cars-driving/which-ca…

How to buy a new car in today's high-priced market
consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/how-to-b…

Chinese-made cars are already here.
consumerreports.org/cars/automotive-industry/c…

Most and least satisfying hybrids, PHEVs, and EVs
consumerreports.org/cars/car-reliability-owner…

How do hybrid cars work?
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/how-do-hy…

Find an efficient vehicle that's right for you
consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/buying-gu…

What to know when buying a new car
consumerreports.org/cars/new-cars/buying-guide…

Best Cars Under $30K
consumerreports.org/cars/best-new-cars-under-3…

Best new-car deals for July Fourth
consumerreports.org/cars/buying-a-car/best-new…