Quote:
Originally Posted by Dadhawk
Part of the reason is changes in the car. The 2013 and 2015 base models are not the same. They've modified the suspension, changed out the base radio for one with a touch-screen, and added the shark-fin antenna (ones I know of the top of my head). None of that is "free" or probably an even swap since it means more "stuff" in the background including R&D, parts inventory, etc.
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I always figured that with an operation as planned and mapped out as car production that ongoing development costs would be covered, a different suspension component or bolt costs at most pennies difference on each unit (of course not speaking towards the several tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on changing the engineering documentation and tracking, which should be budgeted for even without a price increase).
I could give two flying fucks about touch screens and kneepads, one of the reasons I'm glad I got an early edition. With dealerships slapping on leather and stickers and trunk mats for hundreds if not thousands of dollars they can certainly handle the added burden of a true base model that keeps the important running changes intact while maintaining the original X-factor of this car: affordability. (Of course, were discounting the Scion bullshit in this discussion)
Quote:
Originally Posted by DarkSunrise
Inflation?
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And what piece costs more on this car than it did three years ago? The factory workers certainly aren't getting paid more, the engineers sure as hell aren't, we haven't had a material shortage or external forces putting pressure on production or delivery.
Computer parts get cheaper, clothes get cheaper, hell even food is getting 'cheaper' as transportation costs decrease and we get better at growing it.
(See Table 7) Hell the company I work for is lowering prices because we've gotten better at making our product even though complexity is increasing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by torqdork
Eh, point of order. US production people get consistent annual increases. They don't earn as much as UAW line workers but don't receive taxpayer bailouts either. Also, Toyota has never had a layoff at any US plant.
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I need a new job.
/bitter ranting