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Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

18081 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 5:44 PM

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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 1505 of 1809

#15040 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [steve_] by ateixeira

Nov 14, 2012 (9:30 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Nov 14, 2012 9:30 am)
Bingo.
 
0/0/0 made the Eclipse a best seller, but look at Mitsu sales today.
 
You draw in buyers with bad credit, the least likely repeat buyer.

#15041 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [steve_] by bpizzuti

Nov 14, 2012 (11:02 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Nov 14, 2012 9:30 am)
You're saying the Mitsubishi business model of a few years ago isn't such a hot idea?
  
Sure, they'll lose money on every sale, but they'll make up for it on volume.
 
I thought that was the GM business model of, well, yesterday?
 
Cue uplanderguy.

#15042 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [bpizzuti] by ateixeira

Nov 14, 2012 (11:21 am)

Replying to: bpizzuti (Nov 14, 2012 11:02 am)
They had a few handicaps, UAW for starters, legacy costs as well.
 
Going through bankruptcy was key. They were able to shed excess capacity and at least some of those costs.
 
It's funny, Japan had the cost advantage for a while. Now Korea has the advantage over Japan. Low overhead, no pensions.
 
Pretty soon China will exploit its advantage over Korea.

#15043 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [lemko] by uplanderguy

Nov 14, 2012 (1:00 pm)

Replying to: lemko (Nov 14, 2012 8:52 am)
Are Russian automakers on the block? Maybe I can pick up ZIL for a song, move them to Detroit, and start manufacturing those cool pseudo-Packards on East Grand Boulevard again?
 
I've walked out front of 1580 E. Grand Blvd. a couple times...in '87 and about five years later. Actually went inside 'the gate' the first time. I don't imagine the neighborhood has improved with age.

#15044 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [uplanderguy] by lemko

Nov 14, 2012 (1:17 pm)

Replying to: uplanderguy (Nov 14, 2012 1:00 pm)
The only thing the old Packard complex is good for nowadays is a set for a zombie movie. It was awful in 1987, worse in 1992, and most definitely hasn't improved in the last 20 years. There was talk of demolishing the site, but the expense would be ferocious.

#15045 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [ateixeira] by busiris

Nov 14, 2012 (2:04 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Nov 14, 2012 9:26 am)
When my wife and I were in Germany in October, we spent time with some friends that recently bought a MB program C250 touring (at least, I think it was a C250, without looking at the pictures he sent me right after he got it).
 
A really nice car that could easily pass for being brand new. Efficient Diesel engine, and lots of options, but slightly too small for long rides carrying 4 adults along with traveling baggage. Outstanding highway performance, though...
 
Saved thousands of Euros over buying "new", but it certainly looked new to me...

#15046 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [busiris] by ateixeira

Nov 14, 2012 (2:25 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Nov 14, 2012 2:04 pm)
Great deal for your friend...

#15047 of 18081 Re: Who will survive? [busiris] by gagrice

Nov 14, 2012 (10:31 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Nov 14, 2012 2:04 pm)
You used to be able to do that and ship them to the states. I don't think it is possible anymore.

#15048 of 18081 Since so many "foreign" cars are US made by ceejaysquared

Nov 16, 2012 (1:46 pm)

It seems to me that the only "loss" to America of buying foreign is the executive profit -- and given the ridiculous compensation paid to auto executives (and their equally ridiculous low tax rates), I feel no pull to "buy American" in cars, anyway.
 
As long as the workers getting paid are US workers, I feel I've done my part. I don't care about the nationality of the fat cats who get rich.

#15049 of 18081 Re: Since so many "foreign" cars are US made [ceejaysquared] by mcdawgg

Nov 16, 2012 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: ceejaysquared (Nov 16, 2012 1:46 pm)
I own Toyota stock, so I share in their profits!!!
 
Some engineering may be done in the "home" country by some of the "foreign" companies, but not all. I know of Ann Arbor and California engineering offices for Toyota.
 
Parts are BOTH made here and assembled here, more and more. Why? One of the big reasons is freight savings.
 
Tax credits gets brought up by the" 'murican only" crowd. I can say for certain that ANY company, foreign-based or domestic, gets tax credits for locating a plant in a State, City, etc.
 
They also point to using temp labor - true, but not unlike or more than any company I have worked for, and I have been in manufacturing management for nearly 2 decades (manufacturing NOT related to the auto industry).
 
Disclaimer: I don't hate GM, Ford, etc. and would buy one if they had something I liked that was worth it to me. I do try to buy cars with at least 70% NA parts (and definitely NOT Mexico), and assembled here.

Messages Page 1505 of 1809

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