Aren't the Big 3 a little hypcritical? thoughts on foreign cars

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by snafu

Henry Ford opened his 1st plant in Canada in 1904. The Auto Pact was formalized in 1965 which was the inital step in Globalization. As I recall Silverado, Sierra, Ram Dakota, Ranger are made in Canada. Likewise Civic, Pilot, GM/Suzuku XL7 and Caravan. The car line changes regularly.
Parts are sourced world wide. Several Big 3 lines are made in Mexico.

The Quality Control group from Honda was hired by Hyundai and improvements should be evident in their 2006 and 2009 lines

I don't think most people realize this. They think "American" cars are all made in America. It just isn't true and hasn't been for decades. My best friend in high school had a classic "American" muscle car, a 1969 Chevelle. It was made in Canada. This isn't a new phenomenon.

[jIM_Ohio]

Originally Posted by Goldy1

My parents are constantly berating people who buy foreign cars like they are bringind down the country. I casually have presented facts about how no car is all American, but people don't want to listent o what they don't want to hear so now I just don't bother picking the battle.

I imagine plenty of people have stories of foreign cars breaking down also.
When I turned in my 200 1low mileage SAturn in 2007 it

had power locks that had ceased to work at least 2 years ago so I was using my key (what a habit to break lol)

the part of the car that told me how much gas is in the tank had stopped working about a year ago so I had to zero out my miles and get gas after so many miles

last straw-twice while I was driving my car, all of a sudden the part of the car that tells me how fast I am going literally just stopped working (it did this on and off a few times) so my speed was a mystery(not good)

still I did MUCH better than people who buy new and sell 2 or 3 years later

I needed new brakes finally also (routine maintenance here) so I traded in instead of spening money on the car.
that ac was still kickin tho!!!

My 1996 saturn SC2 has the same speedometer issue. That was wierd watching the speeed "spike" without giving it gas, huh?

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Then how can you say you did well for 7 years Goldy? Why didn't you try a honda or toyota or import?

Besides the point it's mostly made in the US. Few Toyota/hondas are made in Japan anymore, though there are a few.

[GREENBACK]

I guess I drive a foreign truck. It's a GMC. For those who don't know that stands for General Motors Canada.

[Pitman]

Personally, I would never pay $$$ for an American brand vehicle, if someone was to give me one for free, I would sell it immediately, and go buy a Japan brand car; Honda, Toyota, Nissan. Again personally, Japan manufactures the best vehicles, and I will continue to drive them.

[maat55]

Personally, I will buy Ford's until they take a bailout.

[Ronin]

Also, most of the foreign cars are assembled in the USA... therefore employing Americans. "Buy American" is just a ploy for these companies to try and make money.

If I'm going to spend my money, I'm going to buy a Japanese car, always. They are better engineered and better put together, and more reliable. Why would I spend my money on an unreliable, poorly engineered American car?

[Goldy1]

Oh my gosh, I was just reading an article in the paper yesteray saying there are no more "AMerican made " cars anymore. IT was highlighting a Toyota in CA made on the same line as a big 3 car. It contrasted a toyota made with 65% AMerican parts, and an American car made with only 50%. I should have said quote unquote "American car"
These are facts, not sentiment.
If I told my big 3 working family this, they would change the subject and made a grimace(not that I plan to "go there") lol
It's more about preserving the uaw benies and goodies for themselves (supporting your own company which feeds you which is fine) than patriotism I think if you view the facts here.

[Goldy1]

I know this is funny, but I never really "thought" of cars in Canada as being "made in foreign country" since I live in metro Detroit. I grew up a half hour or hour from the windsor Detroit tunnel so it's like the same country almost to me. WE just ride over and eat out there or as a youngster my buddies went to thier bars(thier drinking age is 19 etc)

[snafu]

For anyone planning to buy a new car...the newspapers are full of articles explaining that freighters full of cars were loaded and leaving port when the downturn became public. These cars have now reached American shores, clogging lots in port cities. The dealerships haven't been able to move merchandise so...there a big bargains out there if you're prepared/willing to do some hard nosed dickering. The Japanese economy has tanked and their system requires retaining loyal workers.

Big price reductions will be the only solution!