'Buy American' No Longer Black And White In Auto Industry

Newhouse News ^ | 12/14/2007 | Peter Krouse and Robert Schoenberger

[RegulatorCountry]

I’ve had several Maximas, the first two were awesome cars, especially for the money. That ended with the 96 I bought. It had problems. I’ve been a Toyota man for years, but they’re slipping. This GMC Acadia is the first domestic make I’ve bought in over 20 years. I’m pleased with it thus far.

[absolootezer0]

yup, that’s a nice plant too. i drive by it every day on the way to and from work. they have a couple of the acadias sitting out on the lawn that borders on I69.

[org.whodat]

Chinese imports also are increasing, but those generally go to parts stores and repair shops. That's starting to change as General Motors and others use those parts in new cars and trucks.

They all use parts made in china, at one time you would never see a tail gate fall off a truck, now chevy's fall off because the cables are made in china, and ford rust off because the hinge made in chain is not rust proofed. And the foreign cars assembled here are mostly foreign parts.

All farm tractor are made overseas, except for the large, large one's and they are assembled here because of shipping.

[Responsibility2nd]

“Made in China” on the key fob?

Lotsa lead there, Im sure!

Not so sure I’d be sticking THAT down my pants pocket anytime soon.

LOLOLOL

[Alberta's Child]

The profits sail across the seas to Japan and Korea.

Those profits go to any shareholders of those companies, and the profits don't always have to sail across any seas at all.

It sounds kind of bizarre, but an employee working on Ford's assembly line would be better off having Toyota stock in his pension fund than Ford stock.

[Responsibility2nd]

I’m with you regarding Nissans. Love them

Wife loves her X-terra (2005) and so do I. I traded in my Silverado and bought a ‘06 Frontier.

Great vehicles.

[Alberta's Child]

And the corporate profits go where?

See #25.

[cyberaxe]

.....I really don't see it that way.....

.....BMW makes cars here in my home town.....

.....they pay workers here in my home town.....

.....those workers buy groceries here in my home town.....

.....those grocery stores have to build new stores in my home town.....

.....I build grocery stores in my home town.....

.....so now i can afford to have my wife drive a BMW in my home town.....

.....still looks kinda gray to me.....

[hermgem]

American’s are extremely lucky to have Japanese open non union shops in this country.
Just assume where the US economy would be if these Japanese would have opened shops in Mexico or Canada.
Look at the disasters and deteriorations of Michigan or specifically Detroit the former self proclaimed automobile capital of the world.
It’s those Japanese non union shops in the south with vastly enhanced productivity and lower pricing that literally saved this country’s automobile industry.

[RightWhale]

My old Chevy ‘87 is about 50% foreign parts. At least my new Toyota admits it is 100% Japanese, excepting those parts from China, Taiwant, S Kor, India, Mexico, . . .

[1rudeboy]

And the foreign cars assembled here are mostly foreign parts.

I haven't been to an auto dealer recently, but my understanding is that all autos sold in the U.S. must have a domestic-content sticker (required by Federal law). So your "mostly" is easily verified. To be false, that is.

[MajorTom56]

I wondered how long it would take for someone to bring up the greatest of all buy American vehicles: The GTO (not the recent Australian import). I join you in your appreciation of true American Horsepower. I daily drive my ‘71 El Camino SS 454 and you should see the looks from all the pitiful Sentras and Civics. Fortunately, I only have to drive 6 miles round trip to get to work everyday. Its pretty efficient when you consider that it has 400 hp. American Muscle Cars Rule.

[jmyrlefuller]

After 38 cars in 35 years, I will never buy another Ford, Jeep/Dodge/Chrysler, GM, Subaru or Toyota product.

I don't think the car is at fault here...

[Chi-townChief]

And in 5-10 years, we’ll all be riding around in these little egg-shaped Chinese cars.

[Chi-townChief]

I always buy used so do I get a vote??

[RegulatorCountry]

Chances are, if you own a vehicle built in the past five years, that the key fob remote for your car or truck was made in China, too. Injection molded plastics and simple electronics. Right up their alley, much as I dislike it.

[wastedyears]

Those little ricers with four-bangers don’t make any horsepower. If you want horsepower, you need a big V8.

[Incorrigible]

If you were driving a Chevy Equinox with the V6, your engine would be made in China too!

[bert]

If you are seeking the profits, buy the Japaneese or Korean stocks.

We live in the world ob business

[N. Theknow]

I don't think the car is at fault here...

A lot of company cars in that total with three jobs changes in 12 months. I also personally had three GM cars in 8 months that all crapped out during the first 5,000 miles.

Couple that together with 3 teenagers learning to drive on icy New England roads and Voila!

It really doesn't take much of an accident to total a car.