USAToday article about buying American
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Last I heard, GM was using Motorola CPUs. Ford was using Intel CPUs.
By the way, I have an ECM from a 1992 Ford Escort laying around. I opened it up and here a list of all of the manufacturers that I can identify (it helps to know what logos they use):
Motorola
Intel
Signetics
Texas Instruments
Phillips
Harris
Nichicon (capacitors, all of the above are chips/semiconductors)
I also have a suspension control module for a 1997 Towncar. The two largest chips on the board (likely the CPU and the ROM) are Motorola.
[ August 11, 2005, 09:16 PM: Message edited by: brianl703 ]
An interesting link (with photos) about GM PCMs which confirms what I thought, they do indeed use Motorola CPUs (a variant of the 68332 in the latest models):
http://www.efilive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2924
http://www.efilive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2924
I discovered something interesting in my new Buick minivan. Several components under the hood were sourced to Mitsubishi, including the serpentine belt and radiator. We're truly supporting a global economy, no matter whose car we purchase. Personally, I still like to buy American, but most of the common justifications have gone right out the window. The only real difference is where the profits end up.
I'll buy American not matter how crappy it is Hey maw, get yur good teeth them NASCAR boys is comin to town again.
One day the Lexus brand will get that cool ABS plastic rental spec Corvette interior.
GM is down, what 80% market share since the 50's to 30%. Compete or die. They can not make a better nicer product at that price point. They just can't. Else there would be the Pontiac Camry. I can't wait for GM to fold but that is just me.
One day the Lexus brand will get that cool ABS plastic rental spec Corvette interior.
GM is down, what 80% market share since the 50's to 30%. Compete or die. They can not make a better nicer product at that price point. They just can't. Else there would be the Pontiac Camry. I can't wait for GM to fold but that is just me.
Is that really an "either/or" question? Is there some reason, which is not obvious to me, why we can't have both?
Yeah, I am counting the days until GM folds too, and my tax money can then go to paying the pensions and health care of those that produced the cars I grew up with.
Saw a GM display yesterday. It listed GM and the imports on American content. GM was 82%, and Honda was next at 49% with the rest trailing down to almost nothing. Didn't beat the details I would have liked out of the people at the display. They also had some figures from JD powers and others on GM quality compared to the imports. Bottom line, the best reason to buy foreign is stupidity. Thanks for your contempt for your fellow Americans.
Saw a GM display yesterday. It listed GM and the imports on American content. GM was 82%, and Honda was next at 49% with the rest trailing down to almost nothing. Didn't beat the details I would have liked out of the people at the display. They also had some figures from JD powers and others on GM quality compared to the imports. Bottom line, the best reason to buy foreign is stupidity. Thanks for your contempt for your fellow Americans.
When Ford and GM can build a vehicle whose interior doesn't fall apart after about 5 years I may consider buying one, otherwise, no thanks. Thanks Ford and GM, for building these fine, fine automobiles.
Labman, in 1998 we looked at several brand new Buick Regal GS. Loved the interior, fabulous car, good price for a lot of car.
In at least the dozen or so we sat in, drove and just oogled on the dealer lots, EVERY SINGLE ONE HAD A DEFECTIVE CUP HOLDER. And it's not like these were broken after the fact, a bit of analysis on my part indicated that they most likely left the factory that way. They never did work right.
If they can't do a simple cup holder right, what are the chances of getting the engine, trans and etc built right?
the USED camry we bought instead still has functioning cup holders at 180k. And the engine and trans are doing just fine too.
In at least the dozen or so we sat in, drove and just oogled on the dealer lots, EVERY SINGLE ONE HAD A DEFECTIVE CUP HOLDER. And it's not like these were broken after the fact, a bit of analysis on my part indicated that they most likely left the factory that way. They never did work right.
If they can't do a simple cup holder right, what are the chances of getting the engine, trans and etc built right?
the USED camry we bought instead still has functioning cup holders at 180k. And the engine and trans are doing just fine too.
also doesnt mention that 25-40% of the content/cost of the car is in the Design of the car and the design and building of the tooling used in final assembly plants for the car. Of course all the foreign nameplates do most if not all of the design of the car oversees and the design build and install of the tooling/manufacturing equipment in the final assembly plant. Essentially no domestic content in those areas, just do the final assembly in the US to appease consumer for propoganda purposes, ie we invest in the US. Chiltons A/I had a good article on that a couple years ago. Basically when 500 million$ is invested to tool a plant for a brand new model, the doemstics do the design/build in house or use local vendors whereas the others bring it in from Japan and use their own platforms/designs.
MY oldest daughter spent a month in France and just got back and she was showing me the purse that she had purchased for her sister, so being that I'm always curious where things are made, guess where the purse was made, China, what is not made in China these days, it is enough to make me sick, but I guess business is business!
Ron
Ron
So what is "about 5 years"?
Anywhere between 5 years and 20? Because I've seen quite a few Ford and GM vehicles older than 5 years where the interior hasn't fallen apart. I even own a couple.
[ August 12, 2005, 10:40 AM: Message edited by: brianl703 ]
I have a ford with a door handle that fell off after about 6 years. Merc Sable rear passenger door. I dare not pull too hard on the other ones either!
Good point. I wonder if those who wish for the demise of GM have considered the long-term effects of such. I would say not, because the long-term effects of GM's demise would, as you mentioned above, result in higher taxes in the least.
Consider that many of GM's..or many of this country's...problems could be traced to a similar lack of consideration about the long-term effects of decisions.
It just fell off? Like you went inside and came out the next morning and there it was laying on the ground?
Wierd.
My 85 Chev S-10 lasted me 16 years and then I sold it for 500 bux and I think it's still on the road to-day.Never touched the motor except changed out intake manifold gasket before it leaked (seems G.M. started early with manifold leaks)other than that nothing just brakes,rad,starter etc.When I sold it with 369,000km on it it still had the original clutch in it.I've had new Honda's back in the 70's that would rust out just like the domestic brands,but the engine was tops.My Olds was junk,my DC minivan was a nightmare but my 99 Cherokee (173,000km) and 01 Wrangler (120,000km) so-far have been great!Just don't like the looks of the new Japanese trucks or cars for that matter.It has to look good to me as well as run well or forget it.Right now I love the 300C or a Dodge Magnum R/T for looks and value and F-150 for a truck.
How do you know that these vehicles, specifically the trade-ins, have been properly cared for?
Especially since, every once in a while, we get questions here about "What kind of oil/filter should I use in a vehicle that I'm gonna trade in 5 years".
Invariably, someone says to use the cheapest filter and oil that'll still meet the warranty requirements..which will save $166 over the course of 50,000 miles (assuming 5 quarts, 3k oil changes, and $2.50 vs $5 filters and $1.50 vs. $3/quart oil).
If someone's THAT CHEAP, I'm afraid that they're not likely to spring $20 for an interior detailing every other month. (Not that an interior detailing should be required that often, but it sounds like the trades you get were owned by slobs). Or maybe they will, figuring that keeping the interior looking nice will result in increased-trade in value...but if they're capable of thinking that through, then they ought to be capable of thinking through that a $166 additional expenditure over 50,000 miles/5 years is insignificant..it's an extra $33 a year.
The name of the game with vehicles to be traded in seems to be to spend as little money on them as possible, and I think that's why you see what you do.
[ August 12, 2005, 01:27 PM: Message edited by: brianl703 ]
It didn't just fall off, I used it to shut the door, and it came off in my hand. It was only held onto the door frame by some plastic rivet/clip things. Not terribly sturdy.
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There is more to America than the assembly line. Even if they don't make enough profit to pay much income tax, the American corporations pay enormous local taxes. Their workers are also heavily taxed. Much of what the workers, including the fat cats, plus the stockholders have left, after taxes goes to create jobs for the rest of us. American content makes American jobs and helps pay for government service. There are plenty quality problems with foreign nameplates too. Time to take a look at this millennium's quality and quit deigning facts.
Car for car, the more American content, the more
American jobs.
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