Buying American Cars What Does It Mean?

7263 messages, Last post on May 27, 2009 at 4:31 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?

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#6544 of 7263 Re: Detroit Bailout!!! [motorcity6] by nvbanker Nov 13, 2008 (11:41 am)
Replying to: motorcity6 (Nov 10, 2008 12:17 pm) Look at the bright side -- no reason to consider a move to Canada anymore!
#6545 of 7263 Re: Ahhhh, so now [m1miata] by oldcem Nov 13, 2008 (8:00 pm)
Replying to: m1miata (Nov 12, 2008 7:18 pm) You forgot that the various state and local governments have subsidized the Japanese plants for years - giving them generous tax breaks and incentives to locate in their locales. The reality of the situation - close to where I live is a huge Toyota engine plant. It got huge incentives and tax breaks to locate here. In addition, it's not only non union, but, a full third of its workers are temp. employees with limited benefits. They've already gotten their Christmas present from Toyota - All the temps are scheduled to be laid off around December 6. I have no problem with the Feds helping the domestic manufacturers level the playing field. Regards: Oldengineer Replies to this message: mcdawgg (Nov 14, 2008 5:17 am) oldcem (Nov 14, 2008 11:11 pm) imidazol97 (Nov 15, 2008 5:47 am) and 25 more... m1miata (Nov 17, 2008 2:26 pm) m1miata (Nov 14, 2008 6:46 pm)
#6546 of 7263 Re: Ahhhh, so now [oldcem] by mcdawgg Nov 14, 2008 (5:17 am)
Replying to: oldcem (Nov 13, 2008 8:00 pm) If an "American" manufacturer wanted to build right next door, they would also get "huge incentives and tax breaks". I am been in manufacturing (not auto) for 15 years, and all of the 3 companies (USA based) got tax breaks and incentives (not permanent, though). Also, my American companies have used Temps. Reason - they are TEMPORARY. We don't hire until we are very sure that we won't have to lay them off again. I would be surprised if a third of the engine plants are really temp - I'd like to see some facts, because our plant it varies from 0 to 15%, but many people in the area say we are using 25-40% - not true. My plants are non-Union, and the UAW has tried to get in - our workers have voted it down Buying American is tough these days. Many of the so-called American cars' total cost is not spent in the USA. Camry/Accord vs. Fusion/Milan - Camry/Accord has more NA part content than Fulan (50% NA parts), and Camry built in USA vs. Mexico. Yes, the Camcord profits go back to Japan (5% or less of the total). So where is the other 95% of the cost spent? Well, if you have a car built in the USA with 75% NA parts (Camry), you spend locally for most of the parts, all assembly wages and costs (overheads, incl. taxes, insurance, etc). Don't forget the utility bills, factory maintenance & repair, lawn care, cost to build the plant, etc. Just trying to point out that buying American is not as easy as buying a car with a USA name plate on it - you have to look beyond that and then decide what is most important. Replies to this message: oldcem (Nov 14, 2008 11:11 pm) imidazol97 (Nov 15, 2008 5:47 am) oldcem (Nov 16, 2008 10:08 pm) and 24 more... m1miata (Nov 17, 2008 2:26 pm)
#6547 of 7263 . by anythngbutgm Nov 14, 2008 (5:37 am)
GM can level its own playing field by cutting a bunch of dead weight brands like Saab, Hummer (obviously), and especially their 20 year money pit, Saturn. Thankfully, Ford has realized this early on when they dissolved the PAG group and selling Jag and Land Rover off why they still had an inkling of value left in them. i bet if times got really tough, they would dissolve Mercury as well...
#6548 of 7263 Press Request by KarenS HOST Nov 14, 2008 (5:57 am)
A reporter from a large local newspaper would like to speak with consumers who have ruled our purchasing a GM or Chrysler vehicle due to doubt of the company’s future. If you are a consumer who is not considering a GM or Chrysler vehicle, please respond to ctalatiedmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Monday, November 17th. Replies to this message: m1miata (Nov 14, 2008 7:00 pm)
#6549 of 7263 Re: Ahhhh, so now [oldcem] by m1miata Nov 14, 2008 (6:46 pm)
Replying to: oldcem (Nov 13, 2008 8:00 pm) State and local governments give any big employer tax breaks to enter into their local and hire. Nothing is uneven here - period. As for temporary and non-union work, all I can say is that they are surviving, and employing and building a company, while the opposite is true of a dead company. If a company can not let go of employees to lean-out when markets slow, and has to pay for more than is normal just to satisfy contracts, that golden goose gets cooked = no company - no employees. The government / taxpayers should only help GM and Ford, if the employees agree to help keep their company alive. And in the end, all need to realise just who they do work for. The CEO down to the janitor at GM and Ford work for you, the customer. Sure, they can work for the Union, or work for the fat paycheck, or whatever, but in the end it all boils down to the consumer. Somewhere, long time ago, too many forgot just of whom they really do work for.
#6550 of 7263 Re: Press Request [KarenS] by m1miata Nov 14, 2008 (7:00 pm)
Replying to: KarenS (Nov 14, 2008 5:57 am) Hi Karen, Well that would be about everyone that values their money. Any reasonable person would wait and see just which company, or companies will survive, be it Ford (not on your list?), or Ford and GM, or none of the above. As it appears today, Chrysler is toast, IMHO. What new product looks promising now to add spark? Not, as in no way saying a 300 or Charger is a bad car. But really now, what do you think of say Sebring, or Caliber??? The Sprinter really seems to sell well, but is that not a Mercedes? Or are those for profit only for Dodge? Ford has a good line of car now, with more from Europe to arrive as new cars here. The Mustang will be more refined by 2010 model out early in the year cycle, the Fusion is pretty reliable and not bad looking, and the small cars of Europe look promising. GM has a few glimmers of hope cars too. Not sure if the Camaro is ready to go on time, as it is of course already a few years late in coming. If GM could cut the line of cars by a half to a third, as in those which are best of breed for GM, it would help. Dealerships though would want to see the money though for buyout time, as labels go by the way. It is all rather sad. As for the article, could you simply beg that writer to show a little mercy and forget the whole matter. Really now, bring up the subject will only serve to make people think and not buy one of the big three cars, thus throwing gasoline on a rather large fire to begin with. Let the buyer beware -Loren
#6551 of 7263 Heck... by lemko Nov 14, 2008 (7:46 pm)
...the demise of GM and or Chrysler might actually stoke my desire to buy one of their vehicles while I still can! I would run out and get an absolutely loaded Buick Lucerne CXS V-8 and a Chrysler 300-C SRT8 and they'd be the last new cars I would ever buy for life. It might be financial suicide, but what good is my money if there's nothing left that I want to buy? It is morally impossible for me to buy a foreign car. It would be like me renouncing God or betraying my country.
#6552 of 7263 Re: Ahhhh, so now [mcdawgg] by oldcem Nov 14, 2008 (11:11 pm)
Replying to: mcdawgg (Nov 14, 2008 5:17 am) A friend of the family who is an employee of the local engine plant and a temp passed the info to me. He's out looking for a job. I won't know if his info is factual until the bad news hits our local paper. Because I personally got burned with bad Honda and Nissan vehicles, I'm skeptical about their virtues, and, certainly won't pay a hefty premium price to get one of them. Regards: Oldengineer Replies to this message: imidazol97 (Nov 15, 2008 5:47 am) oldcem (Nov 16, 2008 10:08 pm) m1miata (Nov 17, 2008 2:47 pm) and 17 more... motorcity6 (Nov 18, 2008 11:58 am) and 5 more... m1miata (Nov 17, 2008 2:26 pm)
#6553 of 7263 Re: Ahhhh, so now [oldcem] by imidazol97 Nov 15, 2008 (5:47 am)
Replying to: oldcem (Nov 14, 2008 11:11 pm) > I personally got burned with bad Honda and Nissan vehicles, I'm skeptical about their virtues, and, Say it's not so... I thought everyone believed they were perfect and had NO flaws, EVER. >certainly won't pay a hefty premium price But if you pay lots extra and get a bit more after a few years selling them, it is supposed to cost less to own than a ordinary car? Replies to this message: oldcem (Nov 16, 2008 10:08 pm) m1miata (Nov 17, 2008 2:47 pm) oldcem (Nov 18, 2008 8:11 pm) and 16 more... motorcity6 (Nov 18, 2008 11:58 am) fezo (Nov 18, 2008 12:01 pm) and 4 more...