Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 14, 1992 TAG: 9201140085
SECTION: NATIONAL PAGE: A1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOSTON LENGTH: Medium
`CAR TALK': OURS JUST DON'T FIT JAPAN
Click and Clack, hosts of the national "Car Talk" radio show, believe Americans will be able to sell a lot of cars in Japan - when they come up with a way to put 10 pounds in a 5-pound bag."We have no business trying to sell them cars. They have no use for our cars because they don't even fit on their roads. They're too big," said Ray Magliozzi, who teams with fellow mechanic-philosopher-brother Tom on the popular National Public Radio show.
Ray, 42, runs the "Good News Garage" the two started in 1973. The brothers have been offering advice to troubled car owners for about 16 years. Their show has been on NPR since 1987 and they have a syndicated column in 125 newspapers.
During an interview Sunday, Ray said he can't understand why Americans would try to sell cars to Japan.
"We need to sell them things which they don't have. Real estate. California. I think we should try to sell them California. I mean it's going to fall into the damn ocean anyway. Let's sell it to them and they'll get stiffed," he said as he popped a pistachio in his mouth.
Tom concurred.
"You can fit a small thing in a big space, but you can't fit a big thing in a small space," he said.
The brothers said there have been improvements in American cars. They cited the Chevrolet Lumina and the Ford Club Wagon. But would any Japanese person buy one?
"Of course not! It's three times as big as his house. So how can he buy a Ford Club Wagon unless he wants to live in it. That's it! We're selling the wrong things. We ought to be selling houses," said Tom, 54.
"They would buy the Saturn. It's the right size. It's the right quality. It's the right kind of car. The steering wheel's on the wrong side, but other than that, maybe we could convince them to drive the other way," he said of the GM car.
President Bush completed a trade mission to Japan last week. Japanese negotiators set a target of selling 20,000 more U.S.-made cars in their country and of buying $19 billion a year in auto parts from U.S. manufacturers by 1994.
Japan imports about 35,000 U.S.-made cars a year and bought $10 billion in auto parts in 1990.
Ray said there is little future overseas for American auto manufacturers, except in such car parts as "arm rests, seat covers, rugs, cup holders."
"We are the leaders in cup holders. There isn't a Japanese vehicle that's got a decent cup holder," Tom said.
"I guess what's getting everybody bent is we are seeing the demise of America and the automobile is just one manifestation of it," he said.
The future?
"The sad part is that we are at a crossroads. We're trying to make products that we shouldn't be making anymore. . . . Like the shoe industry," Ray said. "The truth is that the rest of the world has to make something, too. We can't make everything."
The brothers, who won't disclose which is Click and which is Clack, drive Chryslers. Ray had lots of good things to say about his Caravan, but harsh words for Chrysler chief Lee Iaccoca, who has been outspoken in criticizing Japan.
"I think the Caravan is the best minivan around. He's carping about nobody buying enough. Well I did my part. Not because of him but because I think they are the best vehicles," Ray said.
Tom still drives a '63 Dodge Dart.
"He's a cheapskate," Ray said. His other car, his wife's, is a Volvo. But he doesn't drive, he doesn't go anyplace, only about five miles a week and that's why he can drive an old jalopy."
Memo: CORRECTION