http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/BeSeenBeHeard/popup?id=2778690
Vote on the poll and post your thoughts.
As many of you know, I buy American only.
Vote on the poll and post your thoughts.
As many of you know, I buy American only.
ABCnews Poll: Would you consider an American Car?
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5,229 Posts
I voted.
:werd:
For real, the new cars out of GM are definitely better.
And just look at how many vehicles Toyota has recalled in the last 2 years.
Also just this week Toyota issued a claim settlement affecting 3.5 Million cars that may develop sludge build-up which can lead to engine problems.
Yeah, I'll stick with my GM products.
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863 Posts
American made or American owned? You can buy Nissans built in Tennessee and Aveos built in Korea....
IMO the lines are very blurred. Buy what makes the most sense to you and your wallet...let the car companies fight for your business by making great products!!!
I personally prefer to buy something made here by Americans, irrespective of where the company's HQ is located.
IMO the lines are very blurred. Buy what makes the most sense to you and your wallet...let the car companies fight for your business by making great products!!!
I personally prefer to buy something made here by Americans, irrespective of where the company's HQ is located.
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9,152 Posts
My feelings exactly
Since the big three began joint ventures with the Asian auto makers, all bets were off as far as I'm concerned.
You can peel off your 'BUY AMERICAN' UAW bumper stickers...
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863 Posts
Well the argument I usually get back is "where do the profits" go. And if they go to Detriot then that is "American"
I've thought a lot about this and out of the price of an average car, how much is profit? $1500? That goes back to Japan or Detriot and what happens to it? They sit on it? Nope, it goes into product development, R&D, plant expansion, construction, and shareholder value. So the profit indirectly leads to economic benefit to Americans since the plants are being built here and Americans are employed to build the cars, and Americans hold the stock.
As for the rest of the price of the car, say the other $20,000, where does that go? That goes into capital costs of equipment (that might be bought or built in the US by US workers), salaries and benefits of US workers (that buy houses and furniture and cars and go to the movies and pay taxes and go out to eat) and so on and so forth. The suppliers making the parts for the cars might be here too...which is even more jobs being supported.
So to me the relative benefit of the "profits" is tiny compared to the rest of the dollars involved in the price of the car. From my stand point, I want to buy a car built here. My preference is GM, but I'll buy an American Maxima before an asian or even Canadian built Chevy any day.
I have a big crisis of concience with the Camaro...Canada? Again? Its an AMERICAN Icon, it should be built here. No offense to our northern friends but the car should be made here.
I've thought a lot about this and out of the price of an average car, how much is profit? $1500? That goes back to Japan or Detriot and what happens to it? They sit on it? Nope, it goes into product development, R&D, plant expansion, construction, and shareholder value. So the profit indirectly leads to economic benefit to Americans since the plants are being built here and Americans are employed to build the cars, and Americans hold the stock.
As for the rest of the price of the car, say the other $20,000, where does that go? That goes into capital costs of equipment (that might be bought or built in the US by US workers), salaries and benefits of US workers (that buy houses and furniture and cars and go to the movies and pay taxes and go out to eat) and so on and so forth. The suppliers making the parts for the cars might be here too...which is even more jobs being supported.
So to me the relative benefit of the "profits" is tiny compared to the rest of the dollars involved in the price of the car. From my stand point, I want to buy a car built here. My preference is GM, but I'll buy an American Maxima before an asian or even Canadian built Chevy any day.
I have a big crisis of concience with the Camaro...Canada? Again? Its an AMERICAN Icon, it should be built here. No offense to our northern friends but the car should be made here.
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9,152 Posts
I still remember the commercials for the 1993 Z28 "From the country that brought you Rock n Roll"
:lol:
Personally, GM is building it, that is all I care about
:lol:
Personally, GM is building it, that is all I care about
The place where a car is built is a very MINOR part of the cost for a car.
Assembly costs are around $600-$1000 per car.
Sure, profits aren't the biggest piece of the pie either at between $1000 and $8000 depending on the vehicle.
What matters most is the parts to build the car.
More than research, more than development, more than anything else by far.
The vast majority of the cost of a car is its physical PARTS.
Domesitc manufacturers average 75-80% domestic content.
Foreign manufacturers average 20-25% domestic content.
A domestic car built outside the US still benefits the US economy way way WAY more than a foreign car built in the US.
Assembly costs are around $600-$1000 per car.
Sure, profits aren't the biggest piece of the pie either at between $1000 and $8000 depending on the vehicle.
What matters most is the parts to build the car.
More than research, more than development, more than anything else by far.
The vast majority of the cost of a car is its physical PARTS.
Domesitc manufacturers average 75-80% domestic content.
Foreign manufacturers average 20-25% domestic content.
A domestic car built outside the US still benefits the US economy way way WAY more than a foreign car built in the US.
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5,229 Posts
The mark up of the component parts is the biggest cost of the car.
Take every part in a car and tack on a 200% or 300% mark up. Sometimes it gets marked up more than once as it moves through the tiers of suppliers.
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863 Posts
This is a good discussion.
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637 Posts
There is still the stigma of owning an "American" car. That somehow they are of lesser quality that the "imports". Even though for car enthusiasts the line are blurred becasue we pay attention to more than just the fuel gauge on our cars, buying an "American" brand still says alot about he person driving it. At least to some.
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2,717 Posts
Another yes here. I have one of each of the big three. Trying to eliminate 2 of them but soon enough!
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178 Posts
Well, my vote puts it to 580 out of 892 that responded "Yes. American cars have closed the gap in quality."
But for me, that was never an issue...
But for me, that was never an issue...
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