American Cars vs Foreign Cars

[brostholder]

My wife and I are still part-timers until (we hope) August. Our home for the last 11 years has been Toledo, Ohio. This is a very strong union town because we are so closely connected to Detroit, which is just 60 miles up the road. There is a bit of controversy raging here in Toledo as to whether or not one should buy an American car. A reporter for the local newspaper, The Toledo Blade, went as far as to go to a meeting of teachers and count the foreign cars in the parking lot, which was more than half of the total cars. His point was that if other unions like the teachers want people to support them, then they should buy American cars to support the auto workers. My personal opinion is that I would love to support Ford, GM and Chrysler, but I am not a rich man. When I make a major purchase like an automobile, I have to make sure that I am getting a car that will a) last a long, long time ; b) get superior gas mileage; c) have low maintenance and repair costs and d) will hopefully have some residual value left when it is time to get rid of it. When I do my research on the above criteria, I wind up looking at a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or Hyundai. I also have the bad memories of poor quality from the American cars I purchased in the 60's, 70's and 80's. For example, my brand new Pontiac Firebird that had the paint flake off in huge chips and the dealer and GM refused to do anything about it. I am sure that many people have had similar quality nightmares. Now I own 2 Toyota Camrys. Both have over 240,000 miles and look as if they are good for another 100,000 miles. I wonder if anyone else has any thoughts on the subject.

[hdh1470]

I have both and have for last 10 years and find american to be just as good and service being much better,thou I haven't needed much for either.My american have been gm and I think I would like to try a ford next only because of the people I meet who just love them.My gm's have had alot more miles put on them about 200k and never a problem on any of them.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

The waters start getting real muddy (for some) regarding what constitutes an "American" car. Is it a car built right here in the States? Is it a car built by a company headquartered in the U.S. even though it was manufactured outside of the U.S.? What about cars built in the States where the company's corporate HQ is located elsewhere? Throw something else into the mix: What's the American-built content of the cars manufactured in the U.S.?

Here's an interesting article that addresses that last point - from the April issue of Car and Driver:

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11q1/domestic_bliss_a_graphic_representation_of_what_s_ really_made_in_america_-feature

Bill :)

[Hal :-)]

I also have bad memories of American quality and went through the same process with Hondas, Toyotas, etc. In the 70s I worked at Bethlehem Steel (non-union salaried). The union tagged my car and said I wasn't allow to park a foreign car in the company lot. I continued to park there and someone smashed my windows. "Fond" memories of Beth Steel. I still have difficulty considering American cars but I honestly believe the quality has improved, through competition.

He's my thought. Companies need to compete, and that's their responsibility. We are consumers, Our job is to get the best product for the best price. If we do our job the rest will take care of itself. Just remember your responsibility and ignore all the Buy-American and anti-Walmart rhetoric.

[ilovetv]

.......A reporter for the local newspaper, The Toledo Blade, went as far as to go to a meeting of teachers and count the foreign cars in the parking lot, which was more than half of the total cars. His point was that if other unions like the teachers want people to support them, then they should buy American cars to support the auto workers....... Now I own 2 Toyota Camrys. Both have over 240,000 miles and look as if they are good for another 100,000 miles.....

Teachers and other consumers don't buy a car to "support" auto workers. They buy a car to get them where they need to go affordably, without the thing having to be in the shop all the time.

"Supporting auto workers" is the problem. It's the attitude of "you OWE me" that makes the unions seem like another type of welfare system.

[l2ridehd]

I buy for best value and if the decision is close, will buy American if possible. I have owned vehicles from every major company and do believe American car quality is getting close to Japanese and German. I currently own two from Japan and two from Germany. My last US car was a 2005 Ford Explorer. MPG was 12 on its best days. I look and test drive American every time I buy. My next purchase I will probably try American again. Competition has forced them to build a better car. Without it they would still build junk. However the Unions will struggle to continue to compete with cost and quality unless they revise how they bargain for wages and benefits. I do not believe the problem is all because of the unions, but do believe they have contributed and will need to help solve the issues going forward.

[red tail]

Buy American. We have a ford edge and I would compare it to any 30K dollar car from anywhere in the world. Maintenance is less expensive and if you do your maintenance they last for a long long time.

according to a recent post your ford was made in canada same as my gmc terrain

[mulligan]

Ford didn't take any bailout money............I'm just sayin

[Hal :-)]

.... I will pay more for Made in the USA just because it gives an American a job.

It's bigger than the price tag. Corporations want/need to compete globally. GE, the world's largest, cut 21,000 American Jobs and shut 20 factories, and now has half its workforce outside the U.S.
http://morallowground.com/2011/03/25/ (http://morallowground.com/2011/03/25/general-electric-made-14-2-billion-profit-in-2010-paid-0-00-in-taxes/)

I'm afraid we're witnessing the end of the Great America Era. The problem is systemic. Fundamentally, we now have a Plutocracy. The Lobbyist on K Street run the show. My solution is to streamline Government. It should be of, for, and by the people exclusively. Cut out Corporations entirely. No corporate taxes, no subsides, no benefits. Lobbyist go away instantly since there would be nothing to lobby for. However, no taxes would be incentive to locate operations here.

[billethkid]

just that....an old story. When it comes right down to the facts the cars of the American owned manufacturers for the last 10 years are as good as and in many cases better than the foreign makes. Yes there are e3xceptions...there ALWAYS are right?
I like many others have never owned a non American made automobile in my entire life. And some how have managed to make it without incident or having to make any major repairs other than normal maintenance and tires and batteries and plugs and so on....yes there are exceptions that can cite disastors...so can the foreign made cars.

American owned and made first. Made in America and foreign owned second. And cars from off shore never.
I prefer and will always buy American owned and manufactured in America. Yes, I know about the foreign component content in the American cars....don't we all?

I always tell my kids, grand kids and great grand kids when they can't find a job and can't afford food, they can always try to eat their imports.

Buy American....it is what made America great!!!!!!!!!

btk

[Challenger]

Inventiveness, quality products, competitive pricng, integrity in marketing-------- we lost it. To answer the question why? may become way too political or politically incorect and I don't want to go there yet. Buying American if the product does not measure up , perpetuates the problem.

I don't think that many people would dispute the low quality of american built cars in the 70's ,80's and 90's . Foreign competition was the reason quality improved so that today our manufacturers are once agan becomming the class products in the field. Hopefully the trend will continue and we can all choose American built first.

[BobKat1]

GM, Ford and even Chrysler are doing well right now. They have competitive models, quality has improved. The competition between all of the brands, domestics and imports is good. The consumer benefits in the end.

[Sparky-30]

The auto worker unions have themselves to blame for people buying foreign, they became greedy, lazy and shoddy work was prevalent. Until they clean up their act, I buy foreign made, just bought a Nissan pathfinder for the 2nd time, great vehicle and I dont have to worry about where I am going.

[nitehawk]

I remember my first foreign car it was and Isuzu Impulse, 1988. When I bought it, it had all the extras that I wanted in a car, at half the price of a similar American car. Yes it had sun roof, cruse control, power everything, it also had a great turn signal that could be activated with the index finger without removing you hand from the steering wheel. All these extras were not extras - but standard. Those additional feature on any American car would have probably doubled the price. I will never forget how Detroit lied or withheld the whole truth. I guess according to Detroit I really never needed seat belts and would probably still not have them, until Ralph Nader started asking questions. Maybe it is because I was not flying a fighter plane, or driving a race car. - I had a battery that would last Maybe three years if you are lucky while the mars rover was sending picture back to earth for five years with a battery probably the size of my fingernail. Oh I really believe you could not make a better battery that the only time Ii used it was to start my car, then the generator took over - yea right. I watched on television fighter planes landing on a runway in a typhoon, in the Philippines at maybe 150 MPH on two wheels and not skid off the runway. While I would slid through a stop sign if someone spit on the street. So these pulsating brakes were available - but i probably did not need them as I was not in a fighter plane - Don't even think about MPG, best keep secret in the world. Funny how when mandated to increase gas mileage, how fast it can be done, in the time limit allowed. Just think if there was a new discovery to replace oil dependency how the world economy would totally collapse, unless it is phased in gradually. Sorry to carry on but this is my therapy. If anyone wants to buy only American made then be ready for double the prices. I would love to but I can't really afford it.

[Hal :-)]

Detroit has come a long way, I hope they continue. But they're chasing a moving target. Consumer Reports continually rates the imports higher. I'm sure some will jump on Consumer Reports. But I believe they're "fair and balanced", the ratings are merely statistic results of reader surveys (I've sent them in myself) and it's the only retail publication I know of without ads.

This Public Radio episode is a year old now, but still interesting.
http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/403/nummi

[keithwand]

We moved to FL from the Detroit burbs.
Except for the Tbird as shown we have driven Lexus, Acura and Infinitis since 1990 except for a 1995 Corvette.
I had way to many GM CRAP cars.
We traded our Infinti M35 with 16k miles last fall because it needed tires way to prematurely and I prefer to lease as I like a new car every 2-3 years.
We leased a 2011 lincoln MKS.
My wife likes it better and I do "feel" good about driving a car that is from FOMOCO.
The president of our investment club told the members if everyone got an American car the economy would boom.
So he goes out and gets a Lexus and another guy a Hyundai. Hypocrit.
Anyway get what you want its your $$.

[batman911]

I believe the subject has become irrelevant in todays world economy. All autos are made from parts from numerous countries. Most large auto manufacturers have plants all over the world. Americans (or their mutual funds) own stock in foreign auto manufacturers and share in their profits. American unions caused the opening of the domestic auto market by pricing their labor, and subsequently, the autos they made out of competition with foreign manufacturers. Unions, and their members, cannot change the facts by intimidation and shaming Americans. Make a better vehicle and a resaonable price and you will sell vehicles. Union scale wages drive up prices of everything in the areas so you need even higher wages to get by.

[Hal :-)]

... Union scale wages drive up prices ...
I think that's yesterday's issue. Unions have lost a lot of power (at least in the private sector). Wages have been flat for over a decade. Pensions have nearly disappeared. Benefit and health care cost have been pushed back to the worker.

At the same time, CEOs and top executives continue to prosper (compensation equivalent to 300 workers), and Corporations gladly take taxpayer subsides and handouts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sknt-UBRhxo

[SALYBOW]

I just researched and you are 100% Right. Is any car made in America anymore? Why are we giving our country away. I will pay more for Made in the USA just because it gives an American a job.

My "foreign car", a Honda Accord, was made in Maryville Ohio as are all Accords. The parts were probably made in Japan along with a lot of the parts for American made cars. If you count Canada as America, and I do, then more cars are aAmetrican but the unions may not agree.

[BobKat1]

Then all of the vehicles built in Mexico are American too? I used to have a Chrysler PT Cruiser which was built in Mexico.

As mentioned earlier the automotive waters are muddy indeed.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Then all of the vehicles built in Mexico are American too?...........

Was it built in 'North America'? Yes.

Was it built in 'The United States of America'? No.

Yes, muddy waters indeed! :)

Bill :wave:

[saratogaman]

My previous car -- Chevy Equinox -- assembled in Canada, engine from China, tranny from Japan.
My current car -- Kia Sorento -- assembled in West Point, Georgia, engine and tranny also from Georgia.
Go figure.

[billethkid]

jobs in manufacturing in the USA?

btk

[BobKat1]

.....

[jchase]

I have purchased alot of cars in my days. Growing up I would buy nothing but a GM. During the 70's, 80's & 90's they made alot of bad cars, as well did Ford and Chrysler. I went to Toyota in 2005, they make a great car. Since then I have bought two GM's and one Dodge. They have been great cars. I think all US made auto's have come along ways in the last ten years. I probally will buy another one next time.

:BigApplause:

[Regor]

I say we should all buy foreign labeled cars! We know that a good chunk of the money we spend on foreign products even though they are assembled here in the USA, goes back to the mother country. We also know that the people in those countries need our dollars so much more than people in the USA do. Earning $12 per hour in a Toyota factory in the USA just makes so much more sense than working for a USA company and earning a decent wage and also keeps the money here at home.

Makes me want to puke seeing all the foreign vehicles on the highways in my (and your) USA! How stupid can one country and it's people get?

I love this country and will always buy American when I can.

[BobKat1]

As mentioned before on this thread the current global economy has turned the auto industry upside down.

On the other hand, the tens of thousands of jobs created by foreign brands with plants in the U.S. as well as their parts suppliers, their dealerships etc. is a good thing.

Plus this competition is motivating the U.S. brands to build better cars which is reflected in their increasing sales and quality reports.

Overalll, not an all bad situation. Just IMO.

[JUREK]

My "foreign car", a Honda Accord, was made in Maryville Ohio as are all Accords. The parts were probably made in Japan along with a lot of the parts for American made cars. If you count Canada as America, and I do, then more cars are aAmetrican but the unions may not agree.

My American company makes most of the steel used in your Honda , Toyota or Subaru.
We also sell to GM , Chrysler and Ford. The tolerances for all the produced steel is much more critical for the foreign cars.

[memason]

... The tolerances for all the produced steel is much more critical for the foreign cars.

Which tolerances were tighter for foreign auto makers.... Chemical composition of the steel or the dimensional tolerances for thickness/hardness, etc...

Thanks....

[Challenger]

I say we should all buy foreign labeled cars! We know that a good chunk of the money we spend on foreign products even though they are assembled here in the USA, goes back to the mother country. We also know that the people in those countries need our dollars so much more than people in the USA do. Earning $12 per hour in a Toyota factory in the USA just makes so much more sense than working for a USA company and earning a decent wage and also keeps the money here at home.

Makes me want to puke seeing all the foreign vehicles on the highways in my (and your) USA! How stupid can one country and it's people get?

I love this country and will always buy American when I can.

So now the people of the US are stupid--Apparently you just can't express your point without becoming insulting. If you read the various posts you will see that the issue of what is an American car is really unclear. People will buy the products which generally give them the most satisfaction ie price, style,safety performance or whatever turns them on. If that happens to be an American Legacy name , that's ok. If the name is Toyota and it's made in Kentucky that's great too.

[ducati1974]

The American car makers made their own bed. For years it has sickened me how the big 3 always advertised their cars & trucks: more power than..., more torque than..., more towing capacity than...bigger engine than... They just didn't get it- we wanted better gas mileage! While Toyota and Honda worked on hybrids the big 3 did nothing until recently to address the mpg desires of buyers. Now they have to play catch up. The resale values of American cars is pathetic compared to Toyota & Honda. When I buy my next car I will look at American cars but they must have comparable mileage, reliability, and features or I'll be back to Honda/ Toyota/Hyundai.

[billnterri]

I purchased my last american car in 1987. It was a new Chrysler New Yorker. After 3 months the problems began; would stop running when the temperature was above 90 degrees, dashboard would continually stop working, etc. Swore I'd never buy american again and I've stuck to that promise. We're on our 2nd Hyundai Sonata and we love it. Great value, great dependability, great service, etc. Will never buy american again.

[JUREK]

Which tolerances were tighter for foreign auto makers.... Chemical composition of the steel or the dimensional tolerances for thickness/hardness, etc...

Thanks....

Whenever we run steel for Toyota and Honda especially we normally shut down for 24 hours to change critical rolls and change rolling solutions .
We normally have inspectors from these companies on site when we run their product. The companies pay a higher premium for this product. Any steel that is rejected at our plant is bid on and bought by our American companies.
I am aware of mostly the dimensional tolerances. However it is NOT unusual to get a call from Toyota or Honda that when they stamp the steel there was a problem with the pliability or chemical composition. I know this happens less than once a year.They ship the steel back to us and who do you think is in line to buy it?

[memason]

Whenever we run steel for Toyota and Honda especially we normally shut down for 24 hours to change critical rolls and change rolling solutions .
We normally have inspectors from these companies on site when we run their product. The companies pay a higher premium for this product. Any steel that is rejected at our plant is bid on and bought by our American companies.
I am aware of mostly the dimensional tolerances. However it is NOT unusual to get a call from Toyota or Honda that when they stamp the steel there was a problem with the pliability or chemical composition. I know this happens less than once a year.They ship the steel back to us and who do you think is in line to buy it?

Jurek.... Thanks for the explanation!

Mike

[rubicon]

I have purchased Honda products since 1986. I have always had american made company cars. After a few years it became necessary to place a rug under the american made car to absorb the oil leaks. Not so with the Honda product. but even today the american car parked next to my Honda product has a rug under it.

I drove my Honda product for 11 years. I had intended to "buy American" despite consumer reports listing my first choice way above its competitors. I was about to buy a GM product when I read in the paper that the auto union which had been given 30% of the company during the bailout demanded the concessions they made be given back..Bear in mind that Obama ignored the rights of bondholders and stockholders and especially taxpayers. So I called the sales guy and told him that why. I purchased a Honda product that is made in Japan. Finally I have never needed more than routine maintenance on these Honda products and neither have my children who inherited them

By the way following my purchase I learned that the guys at the top of GM divided a $100 million in bonuses among them which told me that for sure I did the right thing as both management and employees are only interested in exploiting as much as they can of this once bailed out corporation . The morale of my story is if American car makers really want to succeed they need to take responsibility for their actions and to truly earn their pay by really building quality vehicles and stop trying to fool people by placing new shells on still inferior products

[JUREK]

I have purchased Honda products since 1986. I have always had american made company cars. After a few years it became necessary to place a rug under the american made car to absorb the oil leaks. Not so with the Honda product. but even today the american car parked next to my Honda product has a rug under it.

I drove my Honda product for 11 years. I had intended to "buy American" despite consumer reports listing my first choice way above its competitors. I was about to buy a GM product when I read in the paper that the auto union which had been given 30% of the company during the bailout demanded the concessions they made be given back..Bear in mind that Obama ignored the rights of bondholders and stockholders and especially taxpayers. So I called the sales guy and told him that why. I purchased a Honda product that is made in Japan. Finally I have never needed more than routine maintenance on these Honda products and neither have my children who inherited them

By the way following my purchase I learned that the guys at the top of GM divided a $100 million in bonuses among them which told me that for sure I did the right thing as both management and employees are only interested in exploiting as much as they can of this once bailed out corporation . The morale of my story is if American car makers really want to succeed they need to take responsibility for their actions and to truly earn their pay by really building quality vehicles and stop trying to fool people by placing new shells on still inferior products

In the Villages I have a 2000 Cadillac Seville with about 70,000 miles. I would not dare park it in anyone's driveway . I have the famous Northstar engine.
I go through one quart of oil every10 days weather I drive it or not. Yes I could get the leak fixed for close to $8000 . Also tranny needs attention. I prefer to add oil and for my family cars I drive Toyota , Scion and Lexus.

[rubicon]

JUREK it was a Cadillac SRX I was about to buy. I truly wish it were otherwise but the American car manufacturers need to get serious for the sake of American manufacturing. I do desire to buy American but they need to earn my trust.

[JUREK]

JUREK it was a Cadillac SRX I was about to buy. I truly wish it were otherwise but the American car manufacturers need to get serious for the sake of American manufacturing. I do desire to buy American but they need to earn my trust.

I must give credit where credit is due. My Cadillac probably has the best paint job of all my cars. But having supposedly one of GM's better cars and not expecting to get 100,000 miles is a shame. I have averaged 300,000 on every one of my foreign cars including a 3 cy Suzuki 1 litre. I can't believe the American manufactures can't do better. Look at what Hyundai has done over the last 10 years. I may give the American manufactures one more try but I would only look at Ford.

[2 Oldcrabs]

Buy assembled in the U.S. whether Foreign or American. They both make good cars (and junk). We support the merchant in TV, why not support the manufactures in the U.S. Your social security checks depend on jobs in this country.

[billethkid]

Chevrolet Suburbans...gas/oil/battery/tires were the only expenses to maintain.

I now have GMC Acadia with over 75,000 miles....so far just gas and oil expenses.

2 old crabs above has it right!!!!

btk

[Hal :-)]

... Your social security checks depend on jobs in this country ...
Self-centered for sure. But that aside. In Sept 1985, the U.S. became a debtor nation and not long after became the #1 debtor nation. We continued to roll along and haven't looked back since. It would be nice to turn the ship around but, unfortunately, it doesn't seem we have what it takes anymore. We must try to compete in the world. We can no longer be isolationist. Indeed, I don't understand why foreigners continue to take our worthless greenbacks. That may sound harsh, but consider that China holds $1.6 Trillion in treasuries. Let's hope they don't cash out all at once. I suppose we have a mutual interest at this point, China continues to finance our debt and we continue to buy their products. Unless we get smart, we'll be the big losers some day. For now, maybe keep shopping at Walmart.

[Russ_Boston]

I think the vast majority of cars we buy are at least assembled in this country.

Many GM cars are made with non-US parts anyway. And some, as mentioned, are assembled in Canada.

We need to learn the new economy or we are doomed. Being isolationist won't help (in my opinion).

[jeffy]

I worked on Honda motorcycles from 1976 to 1980 . In 1980 I was lucky enough to switched to Honda cars. In 1985 I started my own independent Honda auto service business. American Honda Motor Company made it possible for me and all the people that I employed to make a very good living.

In the 70s and 80s , american auto manufacturers made crap. You should all be thanking the foreign manufacturers and the americans that turned to MUCH higher quality cars for the US turning things around. The only reason the "big 3" are now making much higher quality is because so many people got fed up with their poor quality and the US companys had to do something. Can you imagine how bad their product would be now if we continued to buy their low quality cars and did not vote with our pocket books by buying foreign?

My father, a WWII vet , said he would never buy any "japanese" cars. After his brand new caddy needed 2 new transmissioins in its first 6 months, he finally switched to Lexus.

The US manufactures and their unions made their bed, and then they had to lay in it. When your workers are making $80 and hour in pay and benifits with no fear of being fired for poor quality work, what kind of product do you think they will make? You have to have incentive, innovation, fear of job loss if you dont perform, and produce quality or you will not survive.

It is NOT the lazy american worker that is the problem. It is poor management and labor unions. When Honda decided to make all their Accords that were shipped east of the Mississippi in Marysville Ohio, many Honda buyers were worried that quality would drop. I saw NO drop in quality in US made Accords and I heard surveys that showed the US Accord was 99% as well built as its Japanese counterpart. But Marysville had no union and great management. Workers there were able to make a great quality car.

I am retired now and look fondly at servicing such a high quality product. 90% of my business was just routine service and replacement of wear items (brakes, timing belts, etc ). American Honda Motor Company was first rate. They were willing to stand behind their cars. I remember when the 90-91 Accord had distributors that were failing after 8 years or more.. I replaced distributors on cars with 135000 miles that Honda paid for because those distributors should have lasted the life of the car.

Anyone that buys a Honda or Toyota ( including Acura and Lexus ) should expect 200000 miles on their engine and trans with no failures. I also see upstart Hyundai making great strides also. Are US manufacturers making a very good product now??? Yes, they have come a long way and are beginning to nip at the heels of Honda and Toyota. THEY HAD NO CHOICE. It was either greatly increase their quality to compete with the Japanese or die.

Many of you die hard "buy american" people will not like what i have said here. Take a minute and let it set in before you start the hate. Do you really think that US cars in the 70s and 80s and 90s were as good as Honda and Toyota? Do you think that the US would have as good as quality today if those unpatriotic americans had not bought foreign?? Those people that bought foreign have probably saved the US manufacturers in the long run.

jeff

[JUREK]

I worked on Honda motorcycles from 1976 to 1980 . In 1980 I was lucky enough to switched to Honda cars. In 1985 I started my own independent Honda auto service business. American Honda Motor Company made it possible for me and all the people that I employed to make a very good living.

In the 70s and 80s , american auto manufacturers made crap. You should all be thanking the foreign manufacturers and the americans that turned to MUCH higher quality cars for the US turning things around. The only reason the "big 3" are now making much higher quality is because so many people got fed up with their poor quality and the US companys had to do something. Can you imagine how bad their product would be now if we continued to buy their low quality cars and did not vote with our pocket books by buying foreign?

My father, a WWII vet , said he would never buy any "japanese" cars. After his brand new caddy needed 2 new transmissioins in its first 6 months, he finally switched to Lexus.

The US manufactures and their unions made their bed, and then they had to lay in it. When your workers are making $80 and hour in pay and benifits with no fear of being fired for poor quality work, what kind of product do you think they will make? You have to have incentive, innovation, fear of job loss if you dont perform, and produce quality or you will not survive.

It is NOT the lazy american worker that is the problem. It is poor management and labor unions. When Honda decided to make all their Accords that were shipped east of the Mississippi in Marysville Ohio, many Honda buyers were worried that quality would drop. I saw NO drop in quality in US made Accords and I heard surveys that showed the US Accord was 99% as well built as its Japanese counterpart. But Marysville had no union and great management. Workers there were able to make a great quality car.

I am retired now and look fondly at servicing such a high quality product. 90% of my business was just routine service and replacement of wear items (brakes, timing belts, etc ). American Honda Motor Company was first rate. They were willing to stand behind their cars. I remember when the 90-91 Accord had distributors that were failing after 8 years or more.. I replaced distributors on cars with 135000 miles that Honda paid for because those distributors should have lasted the life of the car.

Anyone that buys a Honda or Toyota ( including Acura and Lexus ) should expect 200000 miles on their engine and trans with no failures. I also see upstart Hyundai making great strides also. Are US manufacturers making a very good product now??? Yes, they have come a long way and are beginning to nip at the heels of Honda and Toyota. THEY HAD NO CHOICE. It was either greatly increase their quality to compete with the Japanese or die.

Many of you die hard "buy american" people will not like what i have said here. Take a minute and let it set in before you start the hate. Do you really think that US cars in the 70s and 80s and 90s were as good as Honda and Toyota? Do you think that the US would have as good as quality today if those unpatriotic americans had not bought foreign?? Those people that bought foreign have probably saved the US manufacturers in the long run.

jeff

Jeff:

You hit the nail on the head for sure. Any consumer should read the yearly April issue of Consumers Reports before they buy. Read the repair records on the American cars. Look at the cars to avoid.Yes the American companies have come a long way but they still have a long way to catch up.
:BigApplause::BigApplause:

[Mikeod]

Jeff:

You hit the nail on the head for sure. Any consumer should read the yearly April issue of Consumers Reports before they buy. Read the repair records on the American cars. Look at the cars to avoid.Yes the American companies have come a long way but they still have a long way to catch up.
:BigApplause::BigApplause:

Compare my experiences with two cars, one Japanese and one American. The American car was delivered to me with the hood sitting 2-3" lower than the cowl. When I complained, I was told,"Geez, they are made by human beings!" No offer to fix it. I had to go to the sale manager before someone would agree it needed to be fixed. Later that day I returned to pick up my car. Guess what I saw. They had bent the corners of the hood up to meet the cowl. I had to go back to the sales manager again to get approval to repair it correctly.

With the Japanese car, out of warranty, I took it in for routine maintenance. When I picked it up, the service manager asked to see me and asked if I could leave the car for a few days. He told me he noticed the nylon fabric inserts in my interior were degrading and the manufacturer was unhappy this was showing up in some of their cars. So they were replacing the upholstery at their expense with ones that did not have the nylon inserts. Two days later I got my car back with a brand new interior. Out of warranty.

The problem the American companies are having is that those who had bad experiences with their autos in the 70's and 80's and were treated like I was are going to be skeptical about their quality devotion. We remember the Pinto, the Vega, the K cars, and don't want to sink hard-earned money into similar junk. I remember years ago researching used cars in Consumer Reports and seeing the difference in reliability for foreign cars versus American cars 4-5 years after purchase. The difference was astounding. So they are going to have to address the perception of poorer quality before they can entice buyers of foreign brands back to their cars.

[Challenger]

I think that any reasonable person reading most of the previous post here would realize that neither union busting, nor lack of patriotism, nor lack of sensitivity for American workers is driving the car buying decisions of consumers. If they build a better car-as good or better than those with foreign names, I am positive that we would buy them.

PS:chilout that assumes that the prices are competitive

[mrdills]

With all the conversations about our UNIONS today I would like to think they care for the American people but they don't. That being said the American car Cameo is being build in Canada. Remember is all about the almighty buck and don't let anyone tell you any different. I don't trust any unions anymore, I use to work for one years ago.

[mrfixit]

My previous car -- Chevy Equinox -- assembled in Canada, engine from China, tranny from Japan.
My current car -- Kia Sorento -- assembled in West Point, Georgia, engine and tranny also from Georgia.
Go figure.

Oh yeah.... The U.S Made in Georgia Kia.. I heard that the laid off GM workers in Georgia were real glad to find a job with Kia when their GM plant closed..... We should also mention the New tire plant that was built in Macon, GA to build the KUMHO brand tires for the new Kia SORENTO auto plant. Those 2500 rubber workers and truck drivers and support suppliers are real happy to be working and spending their Dollars earned at the Korean plants right here in the USA. .......But what do I know ....I buy all my gasoline at SAMS CLUB or the Murphys gas station that WalMart owns....Oh I remember why I buy my gas there....it is all Domestic production Crude oil that is refined right here in the USA with US workers and US truck drivers doing the deliveries.

[Mikiem]

I was born in America, I have always lived in America, and I will die as an American, Therefore I will always support the American economy at all costs! I also know people who have American made cars and trucks that they have driven well over 200,000 miles. Especially Ford and GM. If you take pride in your car and service it as recommended, you will also own your American car or truck for many years.

[pauld315]

I was born in America, I have always lived in America, and I will die as an American, Therefore I will always support the American economy at all costs! I also know people who have American made cars and trucks that they have driven well over 200,000 miles. Especially Ford and GM. If you take pride in your car and service it as recommended, you will also own your American car or truck for many years.

Admirable and I always had American cars until this past year. I got a great deal on a Toyota for my daughter and after driving it and noting the quality, I traded in the last American car I had and bought a Toyota.

Everyone who is adamant about buying USA built goods, does this apply to everything you buy or just automobiles ? For example, almost all consumer computers these days are completely designed, developed, tested and built overseas someplace. Then, the label of the company (Dell, etc) is placed on it and it is shipped from China or Taiwan or another place like that. Same with software. Much of the "US companies" software is actually architected and developed overseas and then shipped using the "American companies" logo.

Which would you rather have, American companies who have all their work offshored or international companies who have manufacturing and development facilities in the US ? It is all about money.

[SALYBOW]

I drive a Japanese Honda Accord made in Marysville, Ohio. Best of both worlds.

[Raymond]

I was born in America, I have always lived in America, and I will die as an American, Therefore I will always support the American economy at all costs! I also know people who have American made cars and trucks that they have driven well over 200,000 miles. Especially Ford and GM. If you take pride in your car and service it as recommended, you will also own your American car or truck for many years.

I own two cars. One Ford Explorer (made in USA) and one Volkswagen (made in Germany).

Explorer: The bad, all the time some repairs. Second alternator, third starter, need alignment all 6 month (drive just on highway), Electric has when car is cold flicker and goes up and down and many more problems.

The good: All parts are very inexpensive and easy to repair.

Volkswagen: The good. Nothing ever was wrong, just the regular waer parts.
And is build with high standards and quality.
The Bad: All the parts are very expensive, almost triple price compare to American parts.

And the resume: I love both of my cars in different ways, and I do not care about the origin.

[cybrgeezer]

I drive a Pontiac. Obviously, that's American, though now an orphan killed off by GM.

Or is it American? I drive a Pontiac Vibe (which was killed off even before the whole Pontiac line). It was made in Carmichael, CA ... in a Toyota plant. And, I'm told, is a clone of the Toyota Matrix.

BTW, I bought it used. At a Honda dealer.

An international economy, right here in North Florida.

[rubicon]

I don't think it is a union's business what type of car an employee drives. The antics by union people as explained in earlier post upset me. During the bailouts the unions undeservingly received a % of the business while legitimate creditors (bondholders) lost their right of claim. The government will always contend that the bailout was necessary but it was not and if allowed to go through bankrputcy procedures would have come out of it just fine.

After the bailout were complee the unions asked for all the concessions they made to be returned and a week later the top management of GM divided millions in bonus to each of them

I was in the process of buying a car and because of the unions demand for return of concessions and senior management division of millions I called the Cadillac agent and told him I would not complete my sale with him and had given him the reason. I purchased a comparable Honda product which was my first choice but ...I wanted to buy American The problem is these American Auto Mfg could care less anymore about having pride in working toward brand loyalty.

[BobKat1]

I drive a Pontiac. Obviously, that's American, though now an orphan killed off by GM.

Or is it American? I drive a Pontiac Vibe (which was killed off even before the whole Pontiac line). It was made in Carmichael, CA ... in a Toyota plant. And, I'm told, is a clone of the Toyota Matrix.

BTW, I bought it used. At a Honda dealer.

An international economy, right here in North Florida.

Up until January of this year we had a Pontiac Vibe too (great car!). Yes it is the exact same car as the Toyota Matrix with different body work. All Toyota mechanicals. The interiors are identical. We preffered the exterior styling of the Vibe vs. Matrix.

[2 Oldcrabs]

With the state of the economy, we need to buy products made or assembled in the USA. Your children and grandchildren's futures depend. Washington is talking about cutting SS and medicare now. The funding comes from payroll taxes in the USA not some foreign country!
Not "self serving" we do not have children and are 9 years from collecting SS, just an American for 56 years.

[Mikiem]

I will buy all goods with an "MADE IN USA" label on them. And yes, everyone knows that you cannot purchase ALL items only made in the U.S you are not the only person in the world that has this knowledge. And furthermore "my" "personal" opinion is that the new american manufacturers have the same quality as Toyota or Nissan etc. "And "my personal" opinion is people who purchase Toyota vs. American manufacturers have a bias and only look as far as Toyota and never even look at a Chevrolet, Chrysler, or Ford product and see the "true quality" these new products do have.

[pauld315]

With the state of the economy, we need to buy products made or assembled in the USA. Your children and grandchildren's futures depend. Washington is talking about cutting SS and medicare now. The funding comes from payroll taxes in the USA not some foreign country!
Not "self serving" we do not have children and are 9 years from collecting SS, just an American for 56 years.

I agree and that includes the big three automakers but also includes Toyota, Honda, Hyundai etc that all have manufacturing plants here in the USA

[blaZen]

Can't one support teachers and not a union?.....My BMW was made in South Carolina; I'm a retired educator.