Big 3 lessons started after World War II

The demise of our American auto industry has long been a ticking time bomb created by the aftereffects of World War II. When that war came the Big Three and independent makers rapidly shifted from making cars to making planes and tanks. Of course that long war created a huge post war demand for cars. They all were eager to tap into the pent-up demand for autos. However, they would be built in aging plants with dated technology and they had to rapidly answer to stock holders. Conversely, Japan's manufacturing plants lay mostly in ruins, but it proved to be a blessing in disguise. It would take more than a decade for them to be organized to be a competitive force. However, they would be now be building cars with efficient new state-of-the-art plants outfitted with the latest technology. Its concept centered around producing cars with zero defects.

In the interim, a few new American automakers came into focus in this postwar rush to produce cars. A refreshing new entrant in this era was Preston Tucker, who had been a wartime developer and producer of revolving gun turrets for bombers. His cars would have padded dashes, cornering lights for turning, popout windshields, safety belts and powered by an air-cooled rear mounted engine. Detroit was alarmed that this car would be detrimental to their financial well being and had him in court on "financial irregularities." He was acquitted, but the publicity ruined him after making just 58 cars. Before he left the courtroom he made a short statement to the effect that if Detroit could not stand competition from a fellow American, they would in time fact it from the Japanese and other foreign makers. Truer words were never spoken. The Japanese and others snapped up the market share Tucker might have had. Walter Santi

Bloomingdale