Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

The problem with Toyota is price. We all know they will and did biuld a better drive, they do with everthing they biuld. The problem is the same as the automotive lines they make and that's cost you ever price a Toyota part? I recently had to buy a plastic dash part for a Lexus GX470. The part is 12 inches long and has a fake woodgrain on it. $650!!!!!! I ain't kidding! It couldn't have cost them $10 to make it. Yea, Toyota's don't break, but when they do watch out. As long as the GM blocks have been around they will never compete, as boat manufacturers aren't going to jack the boat price up far enough to afford Toyota.<br />As for Axial Vector, the original design came from the Nazi's. Germany was the first inventor of the concept on the mid 30's. The difference here is the double ended pistons, which are a new radical concept. The piston doesn't have to be forced to return to the up position as the other end firing does it for it. This makes the design produce much more HP.

 

[DJ]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

I'm not going to consider handing Toyota the crown for unblemished quality. Having worked with them, they have their faults. The latest JD Powers surveys showed their vehicles taking a dip. It's not automatic.<br /><br />It's still economics. They, nor will any "thinking" automotive OEM, dive into this business headfirst. It just detracts from the very expensive and time consuming task of making a better land vehicle. <br /><br />The Eatern Rim companies are notorious for entering a market with great fanfare and leaving just as quick. (ie, Honda Power in Canada, Hyundia-USA, Diahatsu-USA).<br /><br />Let's face it, the marine/RV industry is riding a huge bubble right now. It's called the "baby boomer" market. The "boomers" are flush with cash and have little regard for the future (spend it now).<br /><br />The marine industry is heading for a MAJOR turnover in the near future.<br /><br />I don't want to sound negative just look at trends of the past. History has a nasty tendancy of repeating itself.<br /><br />For now-enjoy!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

I tend to agree with DJ. its rare you see the 20 somodd year old buying boats now. its mostly the 50 up crowd. I hope it holds a couple more years before the bubble bursts.<br /> good luck and keep posting

 

[imported_Mike_M2]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

The problem there is the 20 somodd's would rather loaf on mom and dads boat instead of putting out cash for thier own(at least that's the way it is in my house ).

 

[garycinn]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

Originally posted by DJ:<br /> The lack of power thing is a load of crap. It's more an issue of GM being the only one left making all (block/heads) cast iron pushrod engines. They're cheap to marinize.<br /><br />Marine engines are a "loser". GM won't be in the market much longer as they move away from the older technology engines..

If GM has 100% of the marine market AND they are losing money, who does Merc and Volvo have lined up to fill the gap?<br /><br />One thing they tell you in business 101 is to make sure you have more than one supplier.

 

[garycinn]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

Originally posted by cobra 3.0:<br /> I'm a little befuddled. The technology has been relatively the same for many, many years. Same old blocks, same old production lines. All this equipment was amortized years ago. I have a hard time believing this is a money losing proposition especially with their 100% market share. They can pretty well dictate the price to compensate for any warranty claims. This should be a cash cow, not a losing business.

I agree. I think GM is making a killing on these -- either that or Merc/Volvo is....

 

[garycinn]

Re: Do you think anyone other than GM will make an I/O engine

I'm not counting out Honda. The Japanese are putting out bigger and bigger V8's in their new SUV's and trucks. They already have the outdrive technology. I don't think it would take them long to come up with a marinized small block V8. Start small with one offering and then go for the big block.