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Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

18078 messages,  Last post on May 15, 2013 at 9:27 AM

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What is this discussion about? Car Buying

With parts coming from everywhere, does "Buying American" have much meaning anymore? Is quality and price the bottom line?

Messages Page 1808 of 1808

#18070 of 18078 Re: Another one Bites the dust [robr2] by ateixeira

May 10, 2013 (10:48 am)

Replying to: robr2 (May 09, 2013 7:35 am)
Even conversions aren't very common, I think only Dodge (Grand Caravan) and Toyota (Sienna) are in that market.

#18071 of 18078 Re: Another one Bites the dust [ateixeira] by robr2

May 10, 2013 (11:15 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 10, 2013 10:48 am)
Even conversions aren't very common, I think only Dodge (Grand Caravan) and Toyota (Sienna) are in that market.
 
No they aren't very common. I think that's because they are so expensive - IIRC, most start at about $45K and they've been extensively modified - mainly lowering the floor.
 
There is a dealer here in town that sells the MV-1. Most that I've seen there have livery plates and are owned by assisted living facilities. They are more convenient for that sort of duty compared to a 15 passenger van or small bus. VPG was trying to reach out to the livery, assisted living, taxi and transit companies in addition to private owners.
 
One thing I find curious is that they don't offer the MV-1 set up with hand controls. The sales person I met said they leave that up to conversion companies. I'm going to guess it's due to liability issues.

#18072 of 18078 Re: Another one Bites the dust [robr2] by ateixeira

May 10, 2013 (11:15 am)

Replying to: robr2 (May 10, 2013 11:15 am)
I imagine there are incentive programs available, I hope so...

#18073 of 18078 competitive products by steve_ HOST

May 13, 2013 (10:36 am)

"Longtime auto industry research and consulting company Strategic Vision today released its 2013 Total Quality Index study that rates vehicles within their segments. The company said domestic brands won more TQI awards than competing brands from overseas this year – the first time that has happened in more than a decade."
 
Detroit Vehicles Outperform Imports in Quality Study (Wall St. Journal)

#18074 of 18078 Re: competitive products [steve_] by ateixeira

May 13, 2013 (12:42 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (May 13, 2013 10:36 am)
A case of build it and they will come.
 
I wish it was divided by place of manufacture and not name plate.
 
Fusion on the cover photo is Mexican.

#18075 of 18078 Re: competitive products [steve_] by xrunner2

May 14, 2013 (3:20 pm)

Replying to: steve_ (May 13, 2013 10:36 am)
"Longtime auto industry research and consulting company Strategic Vision today released its 2013 Total Quality Index study that rates vehicles within their segments. The company said domestic brands won more TQI awards than competing brands from overseas this year – the first time that has happened in more than a decade."
 
Looks like they considered 2013 models only. Besides "quality" initially, the full story of any brand and model has to also include "reliability". That will not be known for 2013 models until 2016 or 2018 or 2020 or 2022.

#18077 of 18078 Re: competitive products [xrunner2] by robr2

May 15, 2013 (5:05 am)

Replying to: xrunner2 (May 14, 2013 3:20 pm)
It's important to note is that this survey is based on emotional reactions - afaik, it has noting to do with statistical qualitative measurements. I vaguely recall similar conversations on Edmunds every time this survey comes out.
  
Domestic nameplates are creating emotional buying decisions - for them that's great because the vast majority of car sales are based on emotion.

#18078 of 18078 Re: competitive products [robr2] by ateixeira

May 15, 2013 (9:27 am)

Replying to: robr2 (May 15, 2013 5:05 am)
That's like JD's APEAL study (one "p"). How do you feel about your car? VW does well here, but not as well in IQ/Durability.

Messages Page 1808 of 1808

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