[hsalaw]

Rogers, who grew up in the rural outskirts of Detroit, said he remembered the days when "you did not consider buying a foreign car. Now, I think the attitude of America has changed."

Maybe it's attitude. I think it's price and quality. Detroit unfortunately caved to unrealistic, unsustainable union demands, and tried to pass the costs to the consumer, when Toyota and the other foreign makers could sell their cars for less.

[Fan of Fiat]

Toyota’s success in U.S. irks some on Capitol Hill.

Fixed it.

[gathersnomoss]

..."They’re manipulating the yen and it creates big differences in what they can sell their automobiles for," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, DMich., who represents thousands of Detroit-based autoworkers."

Liberals and the unions, along with the complacent US automakers are to blame, not the yen. Thank you, Debbie Stab-me-now DMich.

[Wally_Kalbacken]

Stabbenow... sheesh!

[RightWhale]

They’re manipulating the yen and it creates big differences in what they can sell their automobiles for

The Highlander is not a giveaway. They charge well for it. All the same, it is well done and well finished which is not what you see when you lift the hood of a Durango.

[Fan of Fiat]

"They’re manipulating the yen and it creates big differences in what they can sell their automobiles for,"

LOL!

[snowsislander]

In a letter last month to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, four House Democrats said the weakened yen had allowed Japanese automakers to increase their exports to the United States by more than 30 percent in 2006.

Actually, it's been quite a while since the Bank of Japan made any direct intervention in the currency markets, and even then that was back when the yen was around 103, not the current 117.

If it is any comfort to our Congress, as interest rates creep up in Japan, you will probably see the yen grow stronger.

[Disambiguator]

But some members of Congress and advocacy groups question whether Toyota is unfairly benefiting at the expense of U.S. automakers, which face large health-care and retiree costs

Toyota may be benefiting from the US maker's woes, but it's not unfair.

They made their bed (agreements with the UAW), now they're sleeping in it.

Toyota has a more efficient business model, which is why they are doing well.

[cowtowney]

I wish someone in Wash DC would protect me from low priced, well-engineered and beautiful cars from Toyota. /s

"I'm from the government, I'm here to help".

[vetvetdoug]

The arrogant Unionized automakers and politicians of the Detroit area can't stand the deal for another reason, the new plant is in Mississippi...where Unions haven't got an edge from politicians and bureaucrats. The new plant is going to affect me directly...and my property values...I just hope taxes don't follow...

[Brilliant]

They can't believe that a nonunion shop could outcompete a union shop. They are clueless.

[Brilliant]

"They’re manipulating the yen..."



I thought the lib mantra was that Bush was causing the dollar to fall. I guess that the lib mantra changes faster than the weather.

[RayChuang88]

If they're griping about Toyota, just wait till they start griping about the likes of Hyundai/Kia when they start expanding their production in the USA over the next ten years.

Anyway, consider the Toyota Avalon, a larger family sedan that GM wished it could build. The Avalon is way better built, has very performance, and has the type of fuel efficiency that even GM would envy for such a big vehicle.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Congress should be irked at who is really responsible for Toyota's success.

Ford and GM.

[decimon]

...Sen. Trent Lott, the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, promised, "When you are in our constituency, we are warriors on your behalf."

Good place to open a cathouse.

[L98Fiero]

Another thread of people who haven't own an American car in years much less been under the hood of one bashing American cars because one they had 25 years ago was crappy.

I have bought two cars and a full-sized truck in as many years. EVERY TIME I tried to buy a Toyota but never did because they were never the best buy. Their cars are some of the ugliest on the road. The reason people buy them? The same reason people aren't buying American. Reputation.

For the last 10-15 years American drive trains have, for the most part, been on par with imports, if not better in some areas. US manufacturers could use a little polish on the fit and finish but they don't make junk. People who call American cars junk demonstrate that they are sheep and will parrot whatever they hear that fits their pre-existing beliefs.

The 3.9L V6 in my old G6 put out 240HP, and was a still a pushrod engine. Mated to the 6-speed it got 30 MPG, actual. Not only did Toyota not make a sports coupe with any power, they didn't even put a manual trans in their wimpy V6 cars. Oh, I only paid 24,400 for it. There was not another car on the market that could deliver that performance at that price.

I traded it for a Nissan Titan 4x4. Tried to buy a Tundra but my limit was 30K. I can barely get a Tocoma 4x4 for that, much less a full size.

I know why Americans started buying Toyotas and as a result of that, why they still do. What I cannot understand is why they insist in spreading BS about the quality of modern American vehicles and call them "junk". I'm not saying they've topped the imports but that in no way makes them "junk".

[capitalist229]

The world cannot afford a strong yen because trillions are tied up in the yen 'carry trade'.

A global meltdown would ensue if the yen strengthened any further.

BUMP

[Aikonaa]

I'm loving it as Michigan continues to fall behind states like Mississippi in economic development. Arrogant folks up North have been laughing at the poor South for generations and will soon get a taste of their own medicine.

[Tarpon]

How about we try "Union thugs and the Democrats who need their cash don't like Japanese car makers" -- There that's much clearer now.

I buy quality and value ...

[CarryaBigStick]

"They’re manipulating the yen and it creates big differences in what they can sell their automobiles for," said Sen. Debbie Stabenow, DMich.

Cost had very little to do with my decision to buy a Toyota, it was all about reliability and service life. Many of Toyotas vehicles actually cost more than the typical Detroit vehicle.