Market will dictate future actions of car makers
I believe car manufactures will adjust in time to the reality of the North American market. Through consumers, negative publicity and even more important sales performance. With the daily news coverage of the strength of the Canadian dollar (or the weak US currency, take your pick) and the massive increase of sales of any products transiting by the US Canada borders, companies will in time review their strategies.
Car manufacturers with low market share will see this situation has an opportunity to capture share with disgruntled Canadian consumers over the actions of Honda, Toyota, GM and Ford. I've heard Chrysler is moving toward this strategy which is good for us.
I say if you can wait to change your car wait, extend your lease, this will put even more pressure on them, I drive a 2005 Nissan Murano, love it, lease is due in 2009 but was thinking of changing next year since Nissan will bring to market in April the 2009 Murano. I've done the test with Nissan's US and Canadian web sites, for the same config there is a $9300 difference at dollar parity
Now add to that the 5 to 8% difference in currency ! Too much of a difference for me. What would be funny is to see them block access to their US web site if the IP request comes from a Canadian IP addresses. I'm pretty sure they could do that if they want to put more vinegar in the already open wound of Canadian consumers.
I'm curious can some Internet savvy person can confirm this could be done?
They say US and Canadian models are different .... Yeah right! That's what I would also say also if I was in their shoes ....laughing inside of course.
Another thing consumer can do is to call them and tell them what they think of their actions or lack there of. I've called Nissan to voice my outrage, their answer was that the pricing is done to reflect market conditions in Canada and competitiveness against the competition. I hear that story everyday, what a pile of you know what. Luckely, the Nissan rep told me they honour their US warranty in Canada, for now. But Plattsburgh is 100 KMS (60 miles) from good old Montréal.
These executives will need to understand that we are in a North American market, not the Canada or the US the whole continent (guess I should add Mexico but their economy is not as strong) and if they wish to keep their global market share they'll need to revisit their thinking on market strategy.
This is an Open market my friends and market will dictate.
That's my $1.092896 US opinion
Goodnight all