Posted on 04/22/2014 4:13:47 PM PDT by rickmichaels
The Kogod "Made in America" Auto Index may not be on your radar when comparing vehicles. In today’s market, building new vehicles is a global undertaking for all automakers, including those who call North America home.
That said, "built in America" still resonates with many people. Understanding that this is an important factor to some people, the Kogod index uses a unique evaluation process to determine how much domestic (North American) content is present in vehicles sold in the United States. A win here can mean a feather in the cap for some, specifically the Detroit "big three."
"This index provides the public with a more accurate reflection of the true country of origin of a car and the impact of its purchase on the US economy," said Associate Professor Frank DuBois, the index's author and an expert in global supply chains.
"And hopefully, it holds vehicle manufacturers accountable for the claims they make in marketing to U.S. consumers."
The vehicles to top the 2014 Kogod Made in America list are:
- Ford F-Series (score: 87.5 out of 100)
- Chevrolet Corvette (87.5)
- Buick Enclave(86)
- Chevrolet Traverse(86)
- GMC Acadia (86)
- GMC Acadia Denali (86)
The first Made in America Auto Index occurred in 2013, with the Acadia, Enclave, and Traverse each finishing tied at the top of the list with a score of 88.5.
The top 21 vehicles, in fact, are all either GM (18) or Ford (three) models, and a non-North American vehicle doesn't enter the list until 29 (Honda Odyssey).
A total of seven individual criteria are considered when calculating the index. This includes profit margin (6%), labour (6%), location of R&D activities (6%), assembly location (11%), engine and transmission production location (14% and 7%, respectively), plus where the body, chassis and electrical components are manufactured (50%). Canada and U.S. content is not differentiated, but calculated together for the final results.
I’ve started admiring the ‘67 to ‘71 suicide door, 4 dr Thunderbirds. Heck of a car, very distinctive. The alligator pattern vinyl roof on some of them is a little much, and the huge “Landau Bar” behind the rear doors on all of them is definitely a little much, but very cool in general. Nothing else like it at all, from any manufacturer in this country. A dead stock, loaded out triple black one with a factory sunroof, probably a ‘68 since they messed up the look of the sequential taillights on the ‘69, would be cream of the crop.
Never had one with a six, had a 57 President with a 259 but even it moved fairly well.
DeSoto was a Chrysler brand. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DeSoto_%28automobile%29
I can’t tell you how much fun we’ve been having with this car! Last week we breezed [your way] up the Maine coast...cut across to Rangeley and over to No. Conway....and home via Vermont.
Pretty soon we’ll be strapping the kayaks to the top and venturing out paddling. It’s a fun car and since the engine is pristine...hope to get many fun seasons ‘tripping with it! It’s bear-bones compared to today’s cars ...but a car should be fun. :D
Sure they are. Just not lately ...
Oh yea? Well we've got snowballs, snow angels, snowbanks, snowshovels, snow shoes, snow plows, snow tires, snow bunnies, icicles, ice fishing, ice skating, icy roads.........so there.
My mom had a Mustang like that Nova (my first car was a ‘69 Nova, but that’s a different story). Anyway the Mustang was a ‘67 fastback, hunter green with a 289 and a 4 speed stick. Mom bought it used from her baby brother. Unbeknownst to us he had put a aggressive cam and headers on it, with a pair of glasspacks. Man did that thing fly! And with My mom’s lead foot esconced firmly on the gas, fly it did-early and often! It was cool having the mom with the most badass car in the lot when she picked me up from school. Man do cars suck now. Have a good day, I’m going over to a classic car site and look over all the cars I’ll not be able to afford.
CC
On the front cross member, the steering rack is held on by two big screws that fasten to blind nuts welded to the inside of the hollow X-member. Those blind nuts often come adrift and can cause much front end weirdness and can even be dangerous.
Had to do a little creative welding on mine. Not a really big deal ....but....please check. Great car. Also, if it's a turbo, make sure it isn't making any noise. Don't want blades going through that funky engine! Get an R-12 license online and have fun!
How did you like Livermore Falls?
I'm going to send it to the guy who restored the car...and see what he says about me needing to worry about it. Thanks for the heads up!
I don't remember going thru Livermore Falls on the way to Rangeley.....we stopped along the way whenever we saw a lot of white water. Poked around Coos Canyon. The little general store was still closed. Goodness there is a lot of water coming south!
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