Posted on 01/05/2005 6:21:13 AM PST by wmichgrad
You know what is a big part of it for me? I can not bring myself into buying an American car made by a union. I feel like I am supporting the enemy knowing that the union will use my money (wages and dues) to support every left wing socialist nut in the next election.
I wish unions would stick to union issues.
Inquiring minds would like to know.
A lot of the profits are sent to Japan though.
I would have to look into it to see how much of what goes where.
The Toyota is a 1991 Previa and has 230,000+ miles. I will not get rid of it till it hits 300,000. And then it is likely to be difficult to part with, if I do.
I know - it really tears me up. My last car was a Honda built in America in a non-union plant. About as best a compromise as I can get right now.
With unions being so political (socialist), they are really affecting sales and jobs...
The Big 3 Auto makers are the last industry left in America?
I buy Japanese for the quality AND style/design. The Union/DNC point is a good one, though: funny to see an American pick-up truck with a Bush-Cheney sticker on it, yet the union that built it endorsed Kerry-Edwards!
Except for the Japanese plants.
Serious question...
Is it better to buy a Japanese, German, or other foreign car built in America or is it better to buy a Ford or GM built in Canada or Mexico?
Ford is currently and intentionally on a business model of surrender market share, but improve margin.. Definately a sacreligious model of tradition in Detriot, but that honestly is their model, and so far from a profit perspective it seems to be working.
He said,"Lets make these cars better before its obvious to the brain dead that we have a problem."
I think its definately an engineering issue.
How can the Chrysler 300 be classified as an American car when it is built in Windsor, Canada?How can my Honda be a foreign car when it is wholly built in Merrisville, Ohio in the United States.
Very good question...goes back to where the main all-powerful corporate offices are located and where the masterminding comes from.
I own a used car dealership and I love to argue (in a debate sort of way) when customers come in and insist on buying "American" (or "Foreign" for that matter) that globalization of economies has seriously blurred the lines between what is and what is not a domestic vehicle.
When you factor in steel from Japan or Mexico, textiles from Asia or South America, assembly in the US, Canada or Mexico, and over 5000 moving parts that come from every corner of the globe, you're not *just* buying what you think you are buying.
Bingo. You hit the nail on the head.
I drive a 10 year old Honda Accord, bought new, with over 175,000 miles on it with no major engine or drivetrain repairs that I'll keep until it falls apart. In my long life, I've never owned (or seen anyone else own) a single American car that has the performance and reliability track record of the Accord. And my wife drives a new Toyota Sienna which replaces a Mercury Villager she had for seven years (on which we had to replace the transmission after 80,000 miles) that crapped out with a little over 110,000 miles on it.
Funny thing; we bought the Villager against our better judgment, not wanting to buy an American vehicle because of the quality problems. The Villager line was essentially a Nissan (Japanese) design that Ford made under contract. True to American form, the Villager didn't live much beyond 100,000 miles.
This is the problem for American automakers. As a customer, when I have to pay as much for a new vehicle as I used to pay for a house, it damn well better last nearly as long as a house! American cars just don't cut the mustard anymore, and haven't for a long time!
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