US imposes 300% import tariff on Bombardier

[jcthorne]

Japan began with cheap toys, much as China is today, but quickly became the world leader in automobiles and took motorcycle manufacturing away from the Brits.

Lets just say I strongly disagree with the sentiment that Japan is the world leader in automobiles.

They are not the number one producer, they are not the world leader in automotive technology and their vehicles do not lead the highest quality or fuel economy roles.

The opposite is actually true. Japan leads one automotive segment by a large lead. They have the most automotive recalls.

Its a 1980s myth that is long overdue to disappear.

 

[Bob Denman]

JC,
Do you have a source for that information?

I'd like to like it :shocked:: I just need some verification... :thumbup:

 

[RinconRyder]

Lets just say I strongly disagree with the sentiment that Japan is the world leader in automobiles.

We are talking about production in the 70's, 80's and 90's but if you want 2016 numbers just look here: https://www.statista.com/statistics/277055/global-market-share-of-regions-on-auto-production/

China now leads the world in vehicle production but it is virtually for their domestic market only. Who is next? Japan of course.

 

[RinconRyder]

Japan leads one automotive segment by a large lead. They have the most automotive recalls.

That is almost totally due to the Takata airbag issue - a sub-system supplier. And a ton of other marques also suffered from this identical issue.

 

[missouriboy]

...Personal income taxes topped out at over 90% in the 50's and 60's...

Back around 1970 when Bob Hope had his weekly variety show, I remember this passage from one of his stand-up intro monologues:

"People express envy to me about the amount of money I make. Yeah, right! My income tax is 90%, my agent gets 10%, and all the rest is pure gravy!

:clap:

 

[RinconRyder]

Back around 1970 when Bob Hope had his weekly variety show, I remember this passage from one of his stand-up intro monologues:

"People express envy to me about the amount of money I make. Yeah, right! My income tax is 90%, my agent gets 10%, and all the rest is pure gravy!

:clap:

It's a good joke but only partially true. Agent costs would be deducted before calculating his tax amount.

At his death Hope's estate was estimated to be worth between $400M and $700M. Not bad for someone who was taking home only 10% of earnings.

From the book: "Bob Hope: The Road Well Traveled": To get around the high personal income taxes Hope formed multiple companies including "Hope Records", "Hope Enterprises" and "Hope Corporation". In 1950 Hope was paying about 50% of his personal earnings (est. $3-$4 million dollars per year) in taxes. Those are in 1950 dollars or about 10 times what it would be worth in today's money.

 

[missouriboy]

It's a good joke but only partially true. Agent costs would be deducted before calculating his tax amount...

Well, of cooouuuuuurrrrse!! And he didn't pay 90% on the first taxable dollar, either. Everybody knows that, and that's what makes it funny.

 

[RinconRyder]

Well, of cooouuuuuurrrrse!! And he didn't pay 90% on the first taxable dollar, either. Everybody knows that, and that's what makes it funny.

And that was the major problem with Hope. His crap wasn't funny.

 

[Lurker]

I too was a big fan of the inline fours. My '71 Honda 750 Four (slightly modified) could beat the pants off any HD made in those days.

But the UJM were just following a trend by trying to copy HD's Potato Twins. It didn't succeed. Both Yamaha and Kawasaki did however sell a bunch of their 80ish vertical twins ala Triumph, BSA etc. So sometimes copying but producing a better product does work. I owned a '81 Yammy 650 Twin which, when I saw it last, had well over 100,000 miles on it and the then owner was about to take it cross country for the 4th or 5th time. I think Kawasaki still sells their version of the Triumph Bonneville 650 twin.

Pretty sure those old 750 fours would beat current day HD's (I own a Road King so I know)

I remember back when I worked at the Harley shop and HD stock was selling for 5 cents a share just prior to AMF buying HD. The US tried tariffs against the Asian market then but it didn't seem to do much then and probably will not do much now. There is always a way around.
Best practice seems to be build better and cheaper and customers will come.