30th Nov 2009, 11:54
Another way to look at is you are sacrificing 80% more that could have greater benefit. Quite a huge sacrifice.
30th Nov 2009, 12:16
I think all of those who quote the 90% vs 10% baloney ought to look around their houses and see where everything they own is made. If anyone says "everything" is made here is the USA they are sadly mistaken.
30th Nov 2009, 14:19
"I can count as many or more import cars as domestics so they have at least 50% of the market share in my area"
In my area, it's more like a 60/40 split. I see a lot more imports on the roads. Lately, I've seen many new Accords, Camrys, Tundras, and Civics. Haven't seen any new Fusions (actually I have, on the dealer lot.) I'm glad to see the people in my area are seeing the bigger picture and not buying into domestic lovers cries for help.
1st Dec 2009, 12:26
"So you'd rather see NINETY PERCENT lose their jobs as opposed to TEN PERCENT??"
Why do you think 90% of auto workers are going to lose their jobs?? Please tell me this. If it is all because your neighbor bought a Honda then guess what, it has been coming for a long time. If after 30 years of import sales here in the U.S. you are now going to tell me that these same import sales are now destroying 90% of jobs in the U.S., that is wrong.
There is NO WAY this would happen. Even if the domestic companies should fail, there would be a reorganization and new companies would emerge to keep the business going. If you really think it is that easy to destroy the U.S., then we really don't have much of a chance here do we? Buying import goods has been the norm in the U.S. for decades, so why is it such an issue now? Also, why would it make sense, economically, to shut down our borders and only "buy American"? This would only lead to a worldwide boycott of American goods and then guess what would happen... Yep we'd be toast!! Even the big three would lose out big time if this were to happen and they would fail.
How about this... Drive what you want and stop lambasting your neighbor for going with what they want whether it be a Honda or a Toyota. Stop playing politician, trying to predict the future of the world when you have no real idea of what would happen in any scenario. There has to be economic balance all over the globe these days and we all rely on other countries for economic support. To cut this off only cuts your own throat. Funny thing is, even the car companies do a lot of trading of parts, and even car models as there have been countless models that have been cross marketed between foreign and domestic brands.
You drive a Chevy Colorado and your neighbor drives an Isuzu i-370 pickup based solely on the Colorado, so are they a non patriotic import lover? Really, where do you draw the line here? You can't, and that is the point, so the argument is a dead one.
1st Dec 2009, 12:49
14:23
Please stop twisting people's words.
I would rather see all 100% keep their jobs - it seems it is those you follow your line of reasoning that wish to see any of the employed autoworkers in the USA lose their jobs whether they work for GM, Toyota or whatever.
1st Dec 2009, 14:43
I really don't feel that wanting to save 14,000,000 Americans jobs is a "dead argument".
1st Dec 2009, 15:37
As far as foreign vs imports Ford does this a lot... Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner, & Mazda Tribute are the same... Ford Ranger and Mazda B2000 pickups are the same as well as the old Mercury Villager Nissan Quest vans... On the GM side Pontiac Vibe & Toyota Matrix are the same and the Chevy/Geo Prizm and Toyota Corolla are the same... so if it wasn't for the foreign domestic relationships, we would be in even more trouble.
Also, I would rather buy a Honda or Toyota made in the US than a Ford or GM made in Mexico. At least an American worker is making the money regardless of where it ends up... It's funny how the foreign cars are made more in the U.S. and the domestics are being shipped to Mexico and Canada. I have had 3 family members lose their jobs due to this, and one got hired in at Honda and couldn't be happier..
1st Dec 2009, 17:44
Maybe increasing your property taxes, pulling up the slack, may induce you to feel otherwise. I prefer to not be herded into econoboxes, even if fuel goes way up again. Driving a car with no styling, weak warranty, poor handling and trips to a chiropractor is depressing.
1st Dec 2009, 21:50
Domestics are not all big gas guzzlers (GM's overall fuel mileage is better than Honda Or Toyota). In addition, not all small cars will send you running to the chiropractor. I'm very excited that Buick (the manufacturer of the world's most reliable cars) is bringing back the beautiful and great riding mid-sized Regal. I was also ecstatic to read that it won't be offered with any engine bigger than a 4 cylinder. Way to go Buick!
2nd Dec 2009, 12:43
I guess no one will EVER get it about foreign companies versus U.S. companies. It appears that few professional economists read this site. It DOES NOT MATTER if Ford outsources the Fusion. In fact, it has SAVED thousands of U.S. jobs by doing so. It also does not matter that a few Japanese companies accept corporate welfare from our government (free land, no taxes, perks to the tune of BILLIONS) and build a few plants here employing a handful of U.S. citizens at pauper's wages with no benefits or retirement.
The simple FACT is this: The U.S. auto industry is responsible, directly or indirectly, for 14,000,000 U.S. jobs. The TOTAL of ALL imports (including British, Swedish, German and Japanese) is 1,400,000 jobs. Now most 5-year-olds would easily see that 10% is LESS than 90%. When we support Honda, Toyota, Mercedes or Saab we HELP only 10% of U.S. workers while HURTING 90%. Now, if you are so desperate for a less reliable, more poorly built car such as a Camry, you can easily find thousands of them on Ford and GM used car lots with very low mileage. Buy one of them and help your OWN people if you can't break the ad-induced illusion that they are better. There are three 2006-2008 Camrys on my local Ford dealers lot right now.
In addition, I am sick and tired of hearing import fans screaming "DOMESTICS TOOK BAILOUTS". First off, Ford DIDN'T TAKE A PENNY, and GM is doing so well it is already repaying the LOANS (they are LOANS, not GIFTS). The fact is, Japanese companies have been given more EVERY YEAR in free land, no taxes and other perks from our government which will NEVER be repaid. So enough about the silly "bailout" crap. It will be REPAID. The billions given to Japanese companies (which comes out of U.S. taxpayer's pockets as well) will NEVER be repaid. NOT ONE CENT!! Do some research. Sometimes it is very enlightening to read something other than import ads.
30th Nov 2009, 09:10
Perhaps, but those individuals that make up the 10% have just as much right to a job as the individuals that make up the 90%.
How dare anybody say otherwise.