Japanese Car Makers

James Risen’s article “Why Can’t America Catch Up?” (Part A, Jan. 14) strikes a familiar note. I know of a U.S. auto maker whose products lack “reliability and overall quality.” I got royally stung. I was sold a vehicle by Ford whose paint began to fall off one year after purchase. It had been applied incorrectly at the factory, according to written testimony by numerous auto body technicians. Yet Ford refuses to correct the error. The board room executives of this company are more interested in profit margins and in buying up defunct savings and loans to gain huge tax advantages than in turning out quality products. Ford’s slogan “quality is job one” is a sham and an insult to consumers.

I was formerly a staunch buy-American advocate; now my dollar vote will go to Japanese auto makers. Wake up and catch up, American auto makers! Your existence depends on us, the consumers.

MAGNUS P. STUDER

Ojai