Buying American Important to You?

[wt2ga]

Buying American Important to You? Do Your Research
detnews.com (The Detroit News)

By John McCormick (Commentary)

Oct. 25, 2006

You might have noticed Toyota Motor Corp. ads recently proclaiming just how much the company's extensive U.S. manufacturing presence means to America. The ads mention 32,000 U.S. workers and claim the company has created 386,000 jobs nationwide.

Wrapping oneself in the U.S. flag is nothing new for large corporations, but when it comes to the automotive world, such claims do raise the question of what constitutes an American vehicle and an American company.

If "buying American" is important to you, then you need to consider several points; is the car made in America, how much of it is made here, is it made by union, or non-union work force, and if the company concerned is American-owned.

Deeper questions could focus on how long a company has been manufacturing in the U.S., how many plants and workers does it have, what are its remuneration, benefits, retirement and charitable policies? In short, assessing the "American character" of a given company is far from simple.

You should be aware that just because a vehicle is branded with a domestic nameplate, it does not mean it is automatically made in the USA.

One of Ford's top sellers, the Fusion sedan, for example, is assembled in Mexico, as are a significant number of other mainstream models from Detroit brands. Adding to the confusion, some, but not all, Toyota Corollas are made by UAW workers in a U.S. plant.

So what about the big "import" brands such as Toyota, Honda or Nissan, all of which have multiple U.S. plants, build several of their best-selling vehicles here and employ many thousands of Americans? These companies have been producing vehicles in the U.S. for several decades and are deeply embedded with U.S. design, engineering and research facilities.

And what of Korean and European brands – Hyundai, Kia, BMW and Mercedes, which have set up manufacturing plants in southern, non-union states. Should the fact that BMW's X5 sport utility is built in South Carolina influence your purchase decision one way or the other?

Of the Detroit brands, Chrysler Group, with true blue American nameplates such as Jeep and Dodge, produces many of its high volume cars and trucks in the U.S. but its owned by German-based DaimlerChrysler AG.

If the bottom line is the financial and employment impact a company has on the U.S. economy, then there is no question that American-owned General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., for better or worse, far outrank the competition. GM and Ford still build the majority of their cars and trucks on U.S. soil and employ and support many more people in the country than do their rivals.

That said, the buy American debate is full of gray areas. Do your research.

[deluke]

Yes !!! We only buy American. And we prefer GM.

[Rustyknight]

Only American

[SKYtime]

I do not have a "Buy American" preference. However, my last two vehicle purchases have been GM products (Envoy and SKY) and simply because I liked them best. If you build good products at a fair value, people will buy them.

[CdnSkyGuy]

I would buy Canadian but high quality Dog food is more expensive than Gas and they still haven't figured out how to put a CD player in those dog sleds.

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by CdnSkyGuy

I would buy Canadian but high quality Dog food is more expensive than Gas and they still haven't figured out how to put a CD player in those dog sleds.

. . . .

[TulsaSky]

GM - hubby does not like a Ford product
Sunbeam Alpine is are only import, does it really count since its over 40 years old and from Coventry England?

TulsaSky

[Rick Tinley Park]

I lean to GM but have owned some foreign cars. The one I bought new (Hinda) was the worst car I have ever owned. The one I bought used was not much better (Toyota) but as it was a "work" car was not a problem.
Every GM car I have owned (even teh 74 Vega Camback) was better than either foreign car.
When I found Saturn in 1994 - I have bought 4 of them. Still drive the 1997 SC2 and the 2007 SKY is just a wonder.

[Antonio]

No.

A good car is a good car.

If anything, buying a foreign car will add more pressure for American Companies to improve their product to lure new buyers.

It's basic Economics. Without competition, all products would suck. Competition brings out new technology and cheaper prices.

[GaryH]

My wife has an uncle that survived the Bataan death march. For many years he would not buy anything made in Japan. But even he gave in when the time came that some things like TVs and VCRs just were not made in the US.

[richmcc]

I used to not bother me, my first new car was a datsun. But I would prefer to Buy American and have bought or leased Saturns for the past 10 years.

[Nemesis]

I have to admit, I have never purchased an american vehicle, I have always purchased hondas, toyotas, etc. This Sky is the first American vehicle (other then the new mustang) that has caught my eye. I can't wait to get one and finally be proud of my car in a whole new way. From what I can see right now (I have only a pre-order), GM deserves a pat on the back.

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by Antonio

No.

A good car is a good car.

If anything, buying a foreign car will add more pressure for American Companies to improve their product to lure new buyers.

It's basic Economics. Without competition, all products would suck. Competition brings out new technology and cheaper prices.

When you buy an American made product you support your neighbor, in turn his job allows him to buy HBO on cable TV from you. You and 1,000 other people you work with buy a car made overseas, that guy overseas who builds that car buys nothing from you. In a little while they cut back at the American assembly plant and he lost his job. He cancels his HBO since he can no longer afford it. A little more time goes by and your cable TV company cuts back because all the people are canceling their HBO, next thing you know , you have lost your job and the whole damn country is in a depression.

[mr hankey]

"American" Cars???

http://www.autobytel.com/content/sha...le_id_int/1965

[ctyankee]

My first car out of school was an '88 Chevy Nova which was really a Toyota Corolla. Loved the car becaue it never had any issues other than routine stuff. I then got a Taurus wagon and had annoying electrical issues after a few years like rear defroster working only some wires, intermittent wipers not working on all settings and the paint starting to go above the driver's side. I then got a Caravan that started to have some tranny issues. Got rid of it and bought a Plymouth Breeze. Really wanted the Stratus but couldn't afford it. Shortly after the warrenty ran out the tranny went. Got that fixed. Shortly after that my mechanic told me the engine was going. Traded that for my grocery-getter Accord. Six years now and no problems. Now my wife has an SL2 for six years now and has had no problems. What's the conclusion? I guess Saturns and Nipponese are the way for me to go.

[wt2ga]

Originally Posted by Kiss This Sky

"American" Cars???

http://www.autobytel.com/content/sha...le_id_int/1965

Our Canadian brothers build a great deal of the cars on that list...

I consider Canadian built cars as North American Built...

[Antonio]

Originally Posted by wt2ga

When you buy an American made product you support your neighbor, in turn his job allows him to buy HBO on cable TV from you. You and 1,000 other people you work with buy a car made overseas, that guy overseas who builds that car buys nothing from you. In a little while they cut back at the American assembly plant and he lost his job. He cancels his HBO since he can no longer afford it. A little more time goes by and your cable TV company cuts back because all the people are canceling their HBO, next thing you know , you have lost your job and the whole damn country is in a depression.

That isn't the case. All purchases of foreign products comes at a price, taxation and shipping costs. American auto companies can see sales numbers compared to foreign auto makers. They know how many, and why foreign cars are being bought. This forces their R & D to develop better materials, technology, and products.

Your statement that because my neighbor "lost his job" at the plant and can no longer pay for HBO, ok that's fine. My company going bankrupt because people are cancelling their HBO is not. My cable provider would then drop HBO to save costs. HBO would then need to R & D better programming, costs, etc to entice cable companies to pick them up again.

Competition is what keeps the economy going, not Monopolies. If everyone in this country bought only american products, well, then we'd be in serious trouble. Just because it's American, doesn't mean it's better. We have to be able to take a humble opinion of things and sometimes admit that something is better. It forces us to improve our own products and keep competitive.

Don't forget that foreign companies do have plants and offices on American soil....who have AMERICANS as their employees. So my neighbor may not always work for the GM plant. He/she may work a foreign company.

Improve or die, that's what fuels economy. The majority of consumers will NOT buy an american product for the sole purpose that it's "American." The MAJORITY of consumers will buy the better product, regardless from where it comes. PERIOD. The majority rules in terms of finances.

The U.S. does export goods and services to other countries, just not as much as other countries. But that's actually better. Take for example a "tourist town." It strives on just ONE income. Once the attractions in that town lose their appeal, tourism goes down. That town has no other means of income, and becomes bankrupt.

That's a main reason why foreign markets are so highly competitve. They export a great deal of products, and if they weren't constantly changing/improving/etc, the demand for those products would diminish, and a LARGE chunk of their income would disappear.

[CdnSkyGuy]

Originally Posted by wt2ga

Our Canadian brothers build a great deal of the cars on that list...

I consider Canadian built cars as North American Built...

I guess it's not just Dog Sleds after all eh? ya hosers!

The best part about Canada our national animal...we all love the mighty beaver

[TBone]

I have bought many new GM Autos. For the most part all have been great cars. I think the commitment of GM to give the 100,000 mile warrenty also says they believe in their product or at least I hope so. In my opinion they will reap some very positive rewards from Sky/Sol.
I Buy American!

[hersheytx]

I have 2 friends from Oklahoma City that lost their jobs with GM when they closed the plant. Just this year they got jobs in San Antonio at the Toyota truck plant. Both are making good money and are helping other friends make the move.
I am sure they plan to sell their GM trucks and get Toyota trucks. In my mind this is the biggest reason Gm and Ford have been loosing market share.
When you lay off 100k worth of employees they stop buying your product. In fact their families stop buying your product.

I watched a news segment not long ago on 60 minutes talking to a supplier to Gm in Detriot. He stated they have started doing more business with Toyota and Honda, and because of that he had bought his first import car. This was a guy who had been buying GM products for 40 years. He said his company would start buying import cars from the companies that buy their products.
I know I do the same thing in my business. The credit card company I do my transactions with is in my building.
I buy my insurance through a British insurance company that is based in my building. I use the mortgage company in my building to do my loan for my house.
In fact if I did not like cable tv so much I would use Time Warner cable, since they are in my building too.