Domestic or Foreign vehicles your thoughts?

[Superbuick96]

IM about 3 years out from buying my next vehicle, and Ive been researching the issue of Domestic vs. Foreign vehicles. Consulting the "Made in America Index" http://www.cars.com/go/advice/Story.jsp?section=top&subject=ami&story=amMade0709 The most American car is the Toyota Camary, and 5 of the top 10 are Japanese makes. There is not one domestic that is 100% made in America anymore. I question wether its un-Patriotic to buy a foreign car, anymore when the Ford Fusion is built in Mexico, while the Honda Civic is built in Ohio for example. I understand from History that if it wernt for The Big 3's contibutions to the Alies, in WWII North America might of been speaking German right now. Ive read that domestics use a higher percentage of domestic part suppliers, while foreign makers that build in the States import a majority of they're parts. Other then that the whole industry seems very gloabal any more, what is everyones thoughts on the topic?

 

[WagonBoss]

It is a global market. I'd like to support a domestic product if they ever make one that is worthy, but my money follows my perceived value from the product.

I interpret history differently. We aren't speaking German because Hitler was inept and strategically outnumbered. He shot his wad on the eastern front and never recovered. 70 years ago the men who ran the big 3 would not have built the cars outside the country.

 

[OilNerd]

It doesn't really factor into my thinking. My wife's Altima has been as good as any of the domestic cars I own.

 

[d00df00d]

You're right that the economy is getting more and more global by the day. It's getting harder and harder to draw the line between foreign and domestic. A lot of people think of that as a lose-lose situation; I tend to think of it as win-win. Just my opinion.

The Big Three are under pressure to bring jobs and money back into the country. If that happens, things might change. But for now, I'd say don't worry about drawing the line, because there really isn't a line to be drawn any more. Just pick the one you like best.

 

[Dave Hess]

I don't care where its built as long as its a quality vehicle and doesn't give me any trouble. Built in the USA really doesn't mean much.

 

[sicko]

Foreign companies have to build cars in N.America to get around import restrictions, Honda, Toyota, even my beloved Subaru, sell more vehicles in the US than they're allowed to import. To get around that they open a factory in the US and build the vehicles here. Hence Honda has a factory in Ohio, Toyota has one in Kentucky (I believe), and Subaru has one in Indiana which they used to share with Isuzu but is now used to make Subarus based on the their Legacy platform and Toyota Camry's. Some people feel there's a difference in manufacturer quality between the same vehicle made here and one made overseas, but for the most part the quality controls of these companies are very respectable regardless of which continent the actual manufacturing was done.

On a related note, I have heard of people who are purchasing a vehicle that is made both domestically and also imported from Japan (I believe the Honda CR-V is one such vehicle), I've heard where they will request to the dealership that they purchase one made domestically to help support US workers.

Side note, I've heard that Honda realized the inefficiency of having the containers that ship parts to their factory in Ohio come back to Japan empty. So they bought a farm near their factory and now send the containers back with farmed goods that helps them reduce the overall cost compared to sending the containers back empty.

 

[daman]

I do and always will stick with the Big Three!

 

[opus1]

At the Honda dealer near my house, I've seen CR-V's made in Japan, Ohio, and Mexico.

But back on-topic, it is a dilemma. Honda, Toyota and Nissan have enough domestic content in their vehicles made here that the VIN starts with a "1". Meanwhile, as pointed out, many "American" vehicles from Ford, Dodge and GM are made in Mexico.

Me, personally, can't let the unfair trading practices that occurred by a certain country's steel and auto industry in the 80's go, and probably will never buy a vehicle from them even if they're made here. Unless someone finally plants a diesel in one of their cars....

 

[The_Jeff]

These are fun thought exercises because of all the dimensions.

If you get a Harley it has fewer foreign parts. IDK the parts content but it only weighs 600 lbs so there can't be that much imported stuff. Even if it's a higher percentage (which it probably isn't), it's a lower absolute number.

If you had to buy ten years worth of fuel with your next vehicle and stand around looking at it and reading its foreign content (around 70% now) and what nasty countries it came from... the origin of your vehicle may seem benign. While you know the price of your vehicle and can assume its value, the future price of fuel is an unknown. May very well do this country a favor saving fuel by using imported technology-- if they make something that fits your needs of course, and if it really saves fuel on your drive cycle.

If you make your vehicle last ten percent longer, that's value added on these shores. The final assembly of old Ford Taurusses in the Atlanta plant only took 24 man-hours. Charity begins at home; if you can spend a weekend going through a current ride that's value for you. Eventually what you're driving will be crushed into scrap metal and sold on the world market, probably to China...

 

[spasm3]

i have always bought domestics , i get such good service out of them. If i ever by a brand new car, i would search out and buy any car that fit my needs that was NON-UNION produced. Without going into politics, i feel that is the best way to support america.

 

[bluestream]

What difference does it make? GM now sells more cars in China than in the US, so does it matter? Should the Chinese stop buying GM?

 

[crinkles]

take caution in making decisions and supporting companies for what they did 70 years ago!

Sure they supported the war effort, bu like the index link you posted shows, the most american cars aren't big 3 motors.

 

[mechanicx]

The difference between American and in particular some Japanese models is closing but there is still significant differences. A Ford assembled in Mexico can actually create more jobs and economic benefit than a foreign car assembled in the US. The place of final assemby is a small part of the process, especially when the foreign automaker pays lower wages, less benefits etc. Domestic part content, and where research and development is done are bigger factors. Some sources put the current domestic content average of the Big 3 at 67% and 33% for foreign automakers. If you cherry pick the domestic auto and foreign auto it might be close. There might come the day when Domestic makers are really no more domestic than some foreign owned brands. It's not there yet and I'd still prefer to buy from and work for American owned businesses, but that's just me.

 

[crinkles]

Originally Posted By: opus1
Honda, Toyota and Nissan have enough domestic content in their vehicles made here that the VIN starts with a "1".


pretty sure if you took 100% imported parts and assemble it int he USA you'd still get a "1" vin number. the vin number digit is about where it is assembled. the next two digits say which plant.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
... bu like the index link you posted shows, the most american cars aren't big 3 motors.


Uhhh...not quite. Of course if you are only willing to look at the top ten domestic content cars weighted for sales numbers, then you are right. But from the link posted by the OP, if you dig a little deeper you find these truths...

"Keep in mind that the AMI explicitly rates the most American cars and trucks on a model-by-model basis. Its purpose is not to rate each automaker's summary contributions to the U.S. economy. GM, for instance, has many: Consider that among the 34 2009-model-year cars that NHTSA lists as having U.S./Canadian parts content of 75 percent or higher, 19 of them are GMs. Why didn't The General have a better showing? Declining sales — plus a number of those cars heading for extinction — took a major toll."


Sooo...19 of the 34 cars with more than 75% NA(US/Canadian) content were built by GM. Add in the number of Ford cars built and assembled in NA and the folly of your statement becomes pretty clear for those willing to look beyond the "top ten".

Also worth noting for those willing to look beyond the top ten is this quote from the linked article...

"All 50 of the 2009 models whose American Automobile Labeling Act parts content is zero are built by Asia- or Europe-based automakers, according to NHTSA."

 

[opus1]

Originally Posted By: crinkles
Originally Posted By: opus1
Honda, Toyota and Nissan have enough domestic content in their vehicles made here that the VIN starts with a "1".


pretty sure if you took 100% imported parts and assemble it int he USA you'd still get a "1" vin number. the vin number digit is about where it is assembled. the next two digits say which plant.
I was under the impression that this number also indicated domestic content, which is why my Sonata, even though it was built in Alabama, has a vin starting with a '5' since most of the parts are sourced in Korea.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS

"All 50 of the 2009 models whose American Automobile Labeling Act parts content is zero are built by Asia- or Europe-based automakers, according to NHTSA."


Because somehow or another the Chevrolet Aveo managed a 1% domestic content.

1%.

Must be that Bowtie badge in the center of the grill.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: WagonBoss
... 70 years ago the men who ran the big 3 would not have built the cars outside the country.


Ford Motor Company Limited(UK) was founded in 1909.
Ford Motor Company of Canada Limited was founded in 1904. A mere 1 year after FoMoCo was founded.
Ford Motor Argentina was founded in 1917.
Ford Werke GmbH was founded in 1912, with assembly of new cars starting in 1925.
Ford Motor Company SA de CV was founded in 1925.

I could go on, but I think the point is made. The story is largely the same with GM and their expansion except it was expansion by assimilation for the most part.

GM bought Adam Opel(Germany) in 1929.
GM bought Vauxhaull(UK) in 1925.
GM bought Holden in 1931.
GM Argentina was founded in 1925.

The auto industry has been a global endeavour since day one for the companies that wanted to survive and thrive. While it could be argued that much of the production was for local consumption and that would be true most of the time. It should also be taken into account that many components were shipped to foreign plants from NA plants for final assembly, just as they do today. Also, just like today, some cars were developed and imported as complete vehicles, mush rarer than today, but the concept is far from new. The Fordson tractor was a good example, built in both Detroit and the UK, it made it's way into almost every market on the planet. Just like the Model T did before it.

 

[LS2JSTS]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Originally Posted By: LS2JSTS

"All 50 of the 2009 models whose American Automobile Labeling Act parts content is zero are built by Asia- or Europe-based automakers, according to NHTSA."


Because somehow or another the Chevrolet Aveo managed a 1% domestic content.

1%.

Must be that Bowtie badge in the center of the grill.


Big deal...even if it was only 49 out of 50, does it really change the point.

And FTR, the Aveo will be assembled in the US in it's very near future. So that'll be one less model that gets constantly brought up like it represents the whole picture...like the Fusion does for Ford.

 

[digitalSniperX1]

New car window stickers will list percent of US vs. Foreign content if assembled here. For example an rdx is assembled in Ohio with 60 % US sourced parts and it says so on the sticker. also the country of origin for engine was listed as japan and transmission as US.