Why Mexico?

[Bluestream]

In Mexico they buy a lot of cars from US auto companies. They deserve to share in some of the benefits by building some of the cars at home. That's only fair.

The cost to build a car in Mexico is only $500 less than in the US or Canada, so profit is not the real motive (that info was from Lee Iacoca) If you were the Mexicans would you allow car companies from foreign countries to sell theirs cars in your country without giving any benefit back to the economy? Of course not.

They buy cars made in the US and Canada, and we buy cars made in Mexico. It all works out in the end, in fact it is a benefit to everyone.

 

[Hermann]

Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
I used to own a Mexican built Ford Escort and the quality was excellent. I had absolutely zero problems with the car--the most glitch free auto I've ever owned. Made in Mexico does not have negative connotations in my mind. I like Corona too...


Same experience with my 2000 Focus ZX-3. Much better build quality than my AMERICAN made Tacoma. Corona is good, but dont drink the water, it will make you sick for months. Personal experience on the water. BTW China owns several trillion of our debt not billions.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream

The cost to build a car in Mexico is only $500 less than in the US or Canada, so profit is not the real motive (that info was from Lee Iacoca) If you were the Mexicans would you allow car companies from foreign countries to sell theirs cars in your country without giving any benefit back to the economy? Of course not.


The only thing that doesn't make sense about that is Peugeot and Citroën. Renault-Nissan builds Nissans in Mexico so you would expect to see Renaults in Mexico. To the best of my knowledge, PSA doesn't build anything in Mexico. They go to Egypt or Estonia for cheap labor. But you still see Peugeots in Mexico.

Or Chilean made Isuzus. I guess Isuzu is part of GM so maybe that makes sense.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
Quote:
Do a lot of the cars made in Mexico stay in Mexico to be sold?


Yes.

And they are sometimes better than our versions.


True, there's lots of Mexico/South America specials I'd like to have...

Both of my US assembled Rangers have had Mexican and Brazilian made parts on them. Lots of stuff, ranging from springs and wheels to radios either said made in Mexico or Brazil. Rangers are also built and sold in Mexico and South America, so I imagine those plants use some US sourced parts as well.

Interestingly, the one piece headlights made in Brazil for South American market Rangers are a sought after part to swap on to US Rangers.
http://www.generation-edge.info/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6376

 

[Y_K]

Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
The Problem isn't Mexico, Its the USA
Just recently Intel CEO was giving a rather blunt interview and said the Gov Regs push them out. Example given was having 20 B for expansion and modernisaton, he could build 5 fabs elsewhere vs 4 fabs in USA. He also was quoted saying the current administration is the most business unfriendly in the Intel's history.

As easy it is to blame others, including the Gov we elect, we have to look in the mirror. We are the ones who buys the cheapest tooling and brags about 'scores' here and there. I was just recently at Sears, looking for a replacement for one of my Wiha wrenches. Decided to buy American this time. Have seen quite a few flannel shirt redneck patriots going for the cheapest stuff made elsewhere. The fastfood nation of cheapskates is what have become of us.

 

[dwendt44]

Mexico is still considered part of 'NORTH AMERICA', so that allows that term to be used on products.
Most people don't equate North America with lax pollution laws, dirt cheap labor and un-safe working conditions.

 

[Torino]

Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
The Problem isn't Mexico, Its the USA. Government, Taxes, and what not has made it [censored] near impossible to keep a business running in these United States of Ours. Lawsuits, Unions, I mean, dang, its amazing any business makes any money here.

America is to blame for their own shortcommings. When a Communist Country owns 7 Billion (at last count) of our National Debt??? Something is SERIOUSLY wrong!! Bingo---its taxation, litigation and regulation. Moronic bureaucrats tellin us what is best for us. Yikes!! John--Las Vegas.

Just my ten cents.

 

[Herz]

Originally Posted By: Torino
Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
The Problem isn't Mexico, Its the USA. Government, Taxes, and what not has made it [censored] near impossible to keep a business running in these United States of Ours. Lawsuits, Unions, I mean, dang, its amazing any business makes any money here.

America is to blame for their own shortcommings. When a Communist Country owns 7 Billion (at last count) of our National Debt??? Something is SERIOUSLY wrong!! Bingo---its taxation, litigation and regulation. Moronic bureaucrats tellin us what is best for us. Yikes!! John--Las Vegas.

Just my ten cents.


Bingo! At least cap and trade didnt pass, or it wouldve been worse

 

[mechanicx]

Originally Posted By: Torino
Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
The Problem isn't Mexico, Its the USA. Government, Taxes, and what not has made it [censored] near impossible to keep a business running in these United States of Ours. Lawsuits, Unions, I mean, dang, its amazing any business makes any money here.

America is to blame for their own shortcommings. When a Communist Country owns 7 Billion (at last count) of our National Debt??? Something is SERIOUSLY wrong!! Bingo---its taxation, litigation and regulation. Moronic bureaucrats tellin us what is best for us. Yikes!! John--Las Vegas.

Just my ten cents.


But is the low taxes and regulations and the polluted shanty towns with dirt roads, crime and poverty of Mexico the model we should aim for? We had more taxes, regulations and union members in the past (50's-70's) and profitable companies and wide-spread prosperity, so that sounds like faulty attribution and even a red herring.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: Bluestream
In Mexico they buy a lot of cars from US auto companies. They deserve to share in some of the benefits by building some of the cars at home. That's only fair.

The cost to build a car in Mexico is only $500 less than in the US or Canada, so profit is not the real motive (that info was from Lee Iacoca) If you were the Mexicans would you allow car companies from foreign countries to sell theirs cars in your country without giving any benefit back to the economy? Of course not.

They buy cars made in the US and Canada, and we buy cars made in Mexico. It all works out in the end, in fact it is a benefit to everyone.


+1 Couldn't have said it better myself. The vast majority of GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles are built in the US, but I have no problem with Canadian and Mexico assembly.

The other half has an 08 Jetta that was built in Mexico that has been very good, and I can't say we have found any signs of poor assembly.

 

[Whimsey]

My 1996 Ford Contour was ASSEMBLED in Mexico and has been an excellent vehicle for the last 15 years. I believe many major components were made in the US and possibly Canada. The worst part is the engine wiring harness made in Japan from what I understand. It's a world economy we live in. The 1950's & 60's are long gone, adopt or die.

Whimsey

 

[MNgopher]

I'm also falling somewhat into the camp that in terms of a greater North American economy, I find myself drawing less of a distinction than ever on products from the US, Canada, and Mexico. I have not owned an entire vehicle manufactured in Mexico, but many, and I emphasize many, of the parts I've bought for my Ford and Jeep are manufactured in Mexico, and I've had no troubles. My Canadian made F150 has been the best vehicle I've ever owned, bar none.

The days of it being a simple as it was made in the US are long gone, and it isn't going back there anytime soon either.

 

[browning300wsm]

why Mexico ....companies make more profit ..it all comes down to one word "GREED" ....in the end we will all suffer unemployment and no more work for our grand children ..

 

[brianl703]

Originally Posted By: Whimsey
The worst part is the engine wiring harness made in Japan from what I understand.


It's made by Yazaki, a Japanese company, but it was probably assembled in Mexico. The problem with that harness is that it's made with wire that does not meet the temperature requirements for underhood use.

 

[Spazdog]

Originally Posted By: dishdude

The vast majority of GM, Ford and Chrysler vehicles are built in the US, but I have no problem with Canadian and Mexico assembly.


Majority?
Possibly. But by a small percentage. Not the vast majority.
All the current F-150s I've seen have had a USA "1" in the first place of the VIN. But they do make F-150s in Mexico (and in Castroist Venezuela) I think the USA only receives US made F-150s but I could be wrong about that. Go back just a couple of years and you are just as likely to see a Canadian "2" or Mexican "3" in the first digit of your F-150's VIN. To the best of my knowledge, all 3 countries made good F-150s.
The Taurus and new Explorer are built in Chicago, but the Fusion and Edge are built in Mexico. The Flex in Ontario.
The Escape is built in the US (on a Mazda platform), but the Fiesta is built in Mexico.
The Mustang is built just south of Detroit....right alongside the Mazda6 in a joint venture plant.
I think I have seen just as many "3" VIN Focuses (Foci??? whatever) as I have "1" VIN. Call it a draw.

 

[LS2JSTS]

As per the Focus:

Hermosillo assembled the 3 and 5 door hatchback versions of the Focus up until 2005. While the sedan and Wagons were assembled in Wayne.

Since 2005 and for the foreseeable future ALL Focus models assembly(for NA consumption) has and will take place at the Wayne Assembly complex.

 

[Mr Nice]

Why Mexico ?

The unions forced them to go some where less expensive to make vehicles.

 

[Vizzy]

The problem is the gov't...things started going bad when the elitist elements (that control both the dems and the reps) passed illegal and UNCONSTITUTIONAL trade agreements that allow for unfair trade....

Basically these people are going to FORCE the extinction of the middle class in the USA in the next couple of decades....because the only way you can complete with slave wages is to lower your own wages.....

These illegal trade agreements (NAFTA, GATT, WTO) actually constitute a criminal action since these agreements allow foreign entities and organizations to dictate our trade policies.

BTW my comments are NOT political but are a legal matter.

 

[morris]

chrysler had parts made in Canada in the 50s, and 60s. i remember buying parts at a dodge dealer that said on the box made in Canada. in ww2 my dad was in china, so i dont have any love for the commies in china.

 

[stenerson]

Ideally I'd like to buy everything U.S.made. But on the other hand why not Mexico? I rather support our hemisphere than China,Japan etc. (if all things being equal in quality that is)