Originally Posted By: cousincletus
Originally Posted By: javacontour
Originally Posted By: tig1
If Americans bought American then we wouldn't be having this discussion.
So you are saying that if GM, Ford and Chrysler were buying parts sourced in the US instead of Mexico, Japan, China, Korea, not to mention building cars in those places, there wouldn't be these problems.
You see, you can't blame the consumer when the choice of where to source those parts is made by those very companies.
So I find it hypocritical when the "Buy American" commercials run and the Ford Fusion, the Ford Crown Vic, the Chevy Aveo, the Dodge Caravan, etc are made outside the USA, not to mention all the imported parts GM, Ford and Chrysler put into these cars.
GM builds V6 engines in China to install in minivans, etc.
Shall I continue?
Why blame the consumer when these very companies are choosing to source parts overseas.
Meanwhile, the domestic content of Toyota's, Honda's, Nissan's, Mazda's and Hyundai's is increasing at the same time the domestic content of "domestic" cars is dropping.
Looks like GM, Ford and Chrysler are telling the consumer by their actions that it's OK to buy in the global economy.
If Americans were picky about where the parts come from they wouldn't sell them. The union tries to do everything in its power to keep jobs in the USA, such as pushing for a parts origin sticker on every new car. But it's ultimately up to the consumer. The USA now has to compete with the cheapest labor the world has to offer, thanks to our wonderful lobbyists with their politicians in their back pockets. I find it ironic that you posted this because you obviously don't really give a hoot about supporting American workers, as you use every excuse in the book to buy foreign.
Actually, if you've read, I'm looking to buy a new car and I'm looking to buy one built in the US. So that drops off many of the cars I've listed such as the Ford Fusion. (The Mazda 6, it's cousin IS made in Michigan, while the Fusion is made in Hermasillo, MEX. (Not sure I spelled that right)
So which one is more American since they are largely made of the same parts, designed by the same people, etc?
I've said it before, my first priority is MY FAMILY, and MY finances.
Have you run out and purchased a Sun computer yet? Most are made in the USA. Sure it costs more, but according to you, American jobs are your first priority. So go ahead and buy a Sun workstation and get rid of your made in Taiwan PC.
But that aside, as I've said before, currently domestic car makers are LOSING money on every car, so why would I want to hurt them even more by contributing to the losses?
Overseas profits. That tired excuse has been popped here as well. Anyone can buy ADR's for "foreign" car makers. And you don't think domestic automaker stocks are owned ONLY by Americans, do you?
So that means that when domestic car makers do turn a profit, profits go overseas to any foreign stock holders.
And currently today, profits from Toyota, Honda, etc stay right here in America given to those who own ADR shares in those companies.
So once again, the profit myth is popped as anyone can own stock in any of these companies.
Like I've said before, and when will folks understand, domestic car makers have left a bad taste in MANY consumers mouths.
Why would someone who has been burned by GM or others in the past and have had far better experiences with Honda or Toyota return?
The problem is not the consumer, the problem is that GM and others have created so much ill will in the market place that consumers are not keen to return.
It took a generation for things to get to this point, and it's not going to be solved overnight.
It's great that GM and Ford have improved quality. To win back those customers, they will have to keep this up for the next 20 to 30 years. It's not going to change overnight.
Just like Honda and Toyota didn't reach their current status overnight, GM and Ford are not going to regain their dominance overnight.
What it will take is consistent improvement that is demonstrably long lasting. Flashes of brilliance will not do. It will take a generation of being at the top, across the board when it comes to initial quality, resale value, and long term reliability.
I've always said that domestic cars are moving in the right direction. However, given my past experiences, I want to see that they have a long term commitment to those goals.
I've always believed we COULD build the best cars in the world, and am saddened that we don't.
So until we do, I believe it's my patriotic duty to reward excellence and not support mediocrity.
