[Pessimist]

"Japan thanks you....of course the 200, ooo GM employees who no longer have jobs since 1993 don't like you much."

Of course buying "American" isn't any guarantee your car is made here anyway. My wife drives an Escort (made in Mexico). She could have bought an Accord (made in Ohio).

How come the foreign auto makers can build here cost effectively and the US auto makers can't?

[nyconse]

You know I have heard this argument before...Still GM is located in this country. The money comes back home. GM has been forced by unfair globalization policies to locate plants outside of this country. Our workers can't compete with the low wage workers in third world countries. Also, the enviromental policies are much more favorable in developing countries. If you buy Japanese, the money goes to Japan. Car are assembled here for Japan-auto parts are not manufactured here (much more labor intensive). Ultimately, the money goes back to Japan-not the US. If you think that America can remain prosperous with out a manufacturing base, you are wrong. It was our well paid manufacturing jobs that helped make America great-lead to the middle class who bought the products being manufactured. This new economy will not benefit American workers.

[Cronos]

How come the foreign auto makers can build here cost effectively and the US auto makers can't?

To a large extent because GM, Ford and Daimler-Chrysler got huge retirement benefits to pay out.

[Gunslingr3]

How come the foreign auto makers can build here cost effectively and the US auto makers can't?

Unions. I have a friend who is an engineer. She finally got fed up at GM and went to Honda.

[gogeo]

Because they aren't union.

[Iscool]

How come the foreign auto makers can build here cost effectively and the US auto makers can't?

I believe you are mistaken...A Honda or Toyota will cost more than a Ford or Chevy of comparable body style, etc...

GM and Ford are union, the Japanese companies of course, are not...Figure that one out...