Originally posted by: markrb38
Explain that!!!
I'm finishing with this:
I dont own a car from or work for GM in any way. I am however an American. One with pride in my country and it's products. I understand that by hate mongering incorrectly on American products means wishing for the downfall of said companies and in turn this country. With roughly 1 out of 15 Americans working in the automotive field or an automotive service or a related company, I realize that heaven forbid our companies go down, so does everything else here. Loss of auto jobs means the entire country hurts and we all go down whether you work in automototive or not. We lost the quality war back in the 80's and 90's and now have the title back again. Competition was a good thing for the consumer. But when I cant buy a television or microwave or other product made in the USA anymore, I'll do everything I can to keep America going.[/quote]
Everytime I hear these types of arguments it really gets me. People automatically assume that US name brand cars are made in the US, which is simply not true anymore.
Take this example: The Ford Mustang is %65 made in and with US/Canada made parts. The Toyota Sienna is 90% made in and with US/Canada made parts.
Where is the rest of the Mustang made you ask, low wage earning Mexicans and Koreans.
(Source: September 2006 Playboy)(Yes I do read the articles)
I own a Honda Accord that over %75 of the parts are made in the US.
A very good friend of mine is from Detroit, his Dad and brother both worked for Ford for years and now none of them will touch a so called US made car again. All of their jobs have moved overseas or to Mexico.
Have a look at this map of where Toyota builds most all of it's parts and cars sold in the US:
http://www.toyota.com/about/operations/manufacturing/index.html
The only Honda's I know of that are not built in the US are the Hybrids and they will be coming.
As a blue collar worker I don't care where the top money heads. I am far more concerned with the thousands of jobs created. Why do I care if the President of GMC gets his $5,000,000 bonus. I care about the guy on the line being able to eat in this country.
It's sad that while the US car companies are leaving the Japanese and others, including BMW are coming and making it work.
Don't call me UnAmerican. It's those people taking the jobs and sending them overseas at Ford and GM that UnAmerican.
I am not bashing people for buying GM or Ford, just don't be so righteous when you have no footing.
Mark
BTW I have owned many US cars. My first car was a Pontiac Ventura II, my most fun car was a Chevy Camaro and my most expensive was a Chevy Corvette Convertible.
My most reliable car: My current Honda Accord, no issues 114,000 miles.
My least Reliable car: Corvette, but I expected it going in.
[/quote]
Honda employs 25,000 people in the U.S.
Toyota employs 29,000 people in the U.S.
GM has 300,000 employees in the U.S.
Ford 400,000
Tell me where your car is made again? Tell me where your money goes when you buy cars again? Explain to me how your honda is better for America than a GM or Ford. Explain to me why GM has 2 cars in the top 5 for vehicle dependability and honda has 0.