American Made Cars

[STL Mark]

Have you been car shopping lately? Talking about daily drivers here - not exotics. I have only bought 2 foreign cars in my life and I want to try and buy American as much as possible. But it seems to be getting more difficult.

I am surprised how few cars are actually produced here in the USA. Nearly 7 mill per year, just ahead of Germany, far behind Japan at 13 million and dwarfed by China at nearly 40 million. I am surprised at the very limited selection of "American Made" cars that are for sale here in the USA. Take a look at this link to the list of cars made in America:

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/19/automobiles/20090619-auto-plants-4.html

Also note - that I would not count a car as American if it were owned by a foreign auto group. So, the Hondas, BMWs, etc that have huge plants here in the USA still send profits to Japan.

I've talked to many younger people who would never ever buy an American car. If given the chance and financial resources, their first choice is usually a high-end European brand like Audi, or BMW. Fine cars for sure. But I would contend that model for model American cars can hold their own. I am familiar with most of the daily drivers that you guys have, and am not trying to comment on them or your past choices. I asking about your next choice.

So, I ask you - take the poll regarding your purchasing preferences. I'm interested to see the results.

 

[Tim M]

As an owner of a Mazda and a Chevy, historically, we have bought based on looks first, then dependability/maintenance then make. Next time we will do a bit more research.

 

[rednour1]

American only in my garage. I love my F-150, my wife loves her explorer, and our next purchase (according to her) is a Taurus SHO. A few years off though, I won't do car payments!

 

[mike w]

Foreign or domestic - as long as it's made in America. Do you realize profits made on manufacturing leave our country and almost all of these plants are non union jobs. I have a neighbor that sent his 2 girls off to school and bought them both new cars 1 a mazda the other a toyota. And he tells me all they can find is low paying jobs. I told him take a look on your driveway mr union guy I am sure those 2 cars helped out the american dream and had to explain made in america to him . He hasn't spoke to me since.

 

[STL Mark]

Foreign or domestic - as long as it's made in America. Do you realize profits made on manufacturing leave our country and almost all of these plants are non union jobs. I have a neighbor that sent his 2 girls off to school and bought them both new cars 1 a mazda the other a toyota. And he tells me all they can find is low paying jobs. I told him take a look on your driveway mr union guy I am sure those 2 cars helped out the american dream and had to explain made in america to him . He hasn't spoke to me since.

It was very surprising to me. Did you follow that link in my post?
Very surprising to see so few domestic brands actually manufactured here. Then to see that some engines and transmission are made outside of our boarders as well. Then, once you narrow down the choice of the "style" of vehicle you want - you are really left with not too many options.

 

[mike w]

Yes I did and I guess what I am trying to say is buy from a American company where the money can stay in our country

 

[TBULL]

I get the reason behind only American companies, but the other plants where they build in America work for me too. Those hard working Americans (Union or Not) are earning a living and that money stays in this country and helps the local economy there so that those people can buy stuff for their families too. Both Union and Non-Union.

 

[STL Mark]

I know what you mean. I was just very surprised to see so few cars that are sourced in America, built in America, by an American company.

 

[mmarshall]

You must also think about the amount of labor it takes to build the car vs the profit margin that corporate keeps. As we have seen in the recent past, US car companies don't keep any profit as they don't make a profit. Most foreign companies make a profit, but what % is kept by corporate and what percentage goes to shareholders?

Now if you buy an American car that is mostly made in Mexico or Canada and corporate sells the car at a loss who have you helped? At least that job you provided to a Mexican may keep him from crossing the border and taking a job.

My 1st 5 cars were American and ready for the junkyard around the 100,000 mile mark. My 6th car was an 86 Accord and went for 265,000 miles before needing an engine rebuild....pretty sad. After being burned 5 times in a row I felt as if the US autoworkers were asking for my hard earned money in trade for a big turd. Fool me once shame on you...fool me 6 times shame on me!

I do like the trend of the retro cars they are making. I especially like the good old Canadian Iron of the Challenger, Charger, and Camaro.

I am proud to say my Cobra is American made, although the engine and trans are from Mexico.

 

[STL Mark]

I have to say - a lot has changed regarding vehicle quality since 1986. Although the Asians still rank #1, the US brands are a close second with the Euro brands far behind.

 

[Bob-STL]

Foreign vs American

Do you realize profits made on manufacturing leave our country

When I was in an MBA program in 1985 and learned about the Japanese Zaibatsu, I thought it was a stacked deck against the US. Subsequently, I made a concerted effort to buy American cars. So far I have had a taurus wagon with 236,000 that is long gone. I have a daily driver taurus 86K, a second taurus 75K, a tahoe 136K, an explorer 104k, and a garaged '85 dodge ram with 136K. Every time I bought a car I looked at foreign ones because I figured I could easily get 200-250k out of them. After awhile, I didn't like the lack of quality control on some of the American vehicles. However, every time the decision was a financial one and I ended up buying US.

Bob-STL

 

[MPTech]

I own: 1 Chevy, 1 GMC, 1 Pontia, and 1 Hyundi (sp?).
The Chevy & GMC were both built in Cana-duh!
I'm thinking about a Ford for my next SUV, wonder where it's built!?!?

 

[Steve Fehr]

I wouldn't drive an Obama Motors car if you gave it to me. Or a Chrysler product for that matter.

Pi$$ on it and burn it - yes.

Steve
Used and abused taxpayer

 

[rednour1]

I would argue the fact that the foreign cars last longer than the American ones. In the 80's probably, but I argue that that is no longer true. I have run my past 5 daily driver cars to close to the 200K mile mark with no major issues at all. I only got rid of them because of kids, or I simply got bored with them.

My wifes late father was a GM mechanic and told me 12+ years ago that every car made then should hit 200K without a problem, given proper care and maintenance.

I was told as a kid that: "someday you'll want a job, and I hope someone buys what you are making." That has stuck with me my entire life.

I also can't fathom telling they guy at the autoparts store I need parts for a Hyundai. They would revoke my man card!

 

[Richgrsc]

A story about gm cars. Late 70's my mom bought a new Buick, quit running before we got off the lot. Every time you made a left turn it would stumble or die. It would start back up then run ok. Took it back to the dealer 4 or 5 times, sorry, can't find any thing wrong. Also every time you washed it, water ran in from the back windows. My mom was afraid to drive the thing. Finally a friend of my brother heard about it, he came down, took the fuel line loose at the engine and used the air compressor at about 100 psi, blew into the fuel tank, blowing the fuel sock off the pickup line in the tank. A known gm problem. At about 30,00 miles it was a worn-out piece of sh-t. Mom traded for a Toyota and never looked back. I will never own a government motors.

 

[Steve Fehr]

I also can't fathom telling they guy at the auto parts store I need parts for a Hyundai. They would revoke my man card!

What are they gonna say when I ask for a Lotus part?

Steve

 

[TBULL]

You get to keep your Man Card because the car is COOL! I'm sorry, but there are some Foreign cars that can compete for my dollars, simply because I REALLY like the car. None of them are daily drivers though except for maybe a Bimmer, but those are built by US workers here in the states, so I'm still supporting my economy.

 

[rednour1]

You get to keep your Man Card because the car is COOL!"

Agreed!!!