2nd Nov 2009, 10:48
10:09 Who would you rather feed, engineers in Japan or engineers and research and development here? Where do the profits get deposited?
2nd Nov 2009, 13:40
10:48.
Since virtually all of the so-called domestic cars use imported parts, nothing is as black & white as you see it.
I'm really tired of your offensive comments pertaining to what you perceive as a threat to your little corner of the world.
Like it or not, all Americans are not just like you, and the civilized world does not end at our borders.
Please stop the attacks on other countries.
What do you have against the Japanese anyway?
Japan is one of our closest allies.
2nd Nov 2009, 17:22
EXACTLY. Yes, buying a Ford or GM supports those companies, but it's not really helping any hard working average joes! What if I wanted to go build Ford Fusions? Am I going to move to Mexico? That doesn't make sense! At least the Civic I drive was made HERE in the U.S.
5th Nov 2009, 14:35
"Please actually READ comment 18:25."
Still doesn't justify an American company outsourcing its labor taking away from American workers. To me the ends don't justify the means just because "overall" they help more American workers.
They should produce 100% of their cars in 100% U.S. factories. I don't care what the numbers are against the foreign companies. I am sick and tired of excuses being given to companies in the U.S. that are supposedly so "patriotic" and then they turn around and send jobs to Mexico, Canada, India, etc. etc. Why do they do this? to save money. In the long run it will only hurt them when there are less people with jobs here that can buy their goods. If you want the U.S. to shut its borders to foreign competition, as you've stated in so many words, and then turn around and support a company that sends EVEN ONE job out of the U.S. (never mind 1,000's of jobs) to save money, you are as unpatriotic as the next guy buying a Toyota or Honda that is built here in the U.S. as far as I'm concerned. Don't quote patriotism on what is convenient for you because you support one thing over another, when the companies you support rely on foreign labor and parts just like the companies that you don't.
You can quote CNN all day long and it still doesn't dispute these facts. Besides even the "excellent" CNN says that foreign competition is good for us all in the auto business. Selectively reading what you want to believe is an easy thing to do on CNN.
5th Nov 2009, 16:13
14:35 are you willing to pay more for an American car? I guess we can offer poor benefits, less health care, low wages, not care about environmental impact or safety issues that are not such a concern in many areas of the world. I would not work for a low paying import car mfr. job personally. I am willing to pay more for an American car, are you? In the end you pay giving away business. I personally think most of the economy cars are extremely ugly, and more of an incentive to work smarter and have a nicer domestic.
6th Nov 2009, 11:49
"I would not work for a low paying import car mfr. job personally."
Yes, this is the center of the problem in America. Everyone thinks they deserve to make more than the job they are doing is worth. This is why the car companies cannot survive without sending their own manufacturing jobs out of the country. This is also why we can't drill our own oil here... it would cost more than it does to import it as no one wants to work for lower wages. This is also why virtually every electronic device and product is made in China or Tiawan. We can't afford to employ our own workers.
With all this me, me, me attitude in this country and I deserve this pay and these benefits just because... it is laughable to hear people talk about patriotism and support your own businesses. Please, everyone is just in it for themselves and that is the end of it. Even our own companies have made it a huge part of their business practice to outsource jobs to other countries because they can't afford U.S. workers anymore. This is a good direction to be going in!
6th Nov 2009, 11:59
"I am willing to pay more for an American car, are you?"
Absolutely NOT!! Why should I have to pay more for the same or even less quality of vehicle? By paying more you are telling U.S. companies it is okay for them to run unproductive wasteful companies who overpay their employees.
This is running the U.S. into the ground! And the "willing" people like you are just adding to it by turning the other cheek to it... as long as your little world doesn't come crumbling down around you. Wait and see how long that lasts before it catches up to you.
It makes no sense to buy into that mentality and let these corporations continue to exist as fat lazy companies. I purchased a Ford, but at a HEAVILY discounted price with a guarantee that Ford would make my payments if I should lose my job, otherwise I'd still be driving an Accord.
Most Ford and Chevy higher end vehicles are so ridiculously overpriced I can't believe they can even sell them. The Flex is one of the worst offenders. They easily get into the $40K range with a few options... and for what?
6th Feb 2010, 21:54
I wouldn't pay anything for an "American" car, because every single one I had was worthless next to any of my Toyotas or Hondas. You pay for an american car, and then you keep on paying for repair after repair, or at least drag it back to the dealer every few months, which is annoying and inconvenient. No, thanks. I'll stick with a better brand, American or not.
7th Feb 2010, 20:17
I quit buying Hondas lousy warranty. Our family saw quality drop. We were willing to pay more for Acuras and they were poor. I would rather spend less for a nice domestic with 100000 mile warranty.
8th Feb 2010, 16:49
I've never needed the warranty on any of my Honda's, cause I've never had a problem. That being said, Honda's 5-year 60,000 mile warranty is the same as GM's 5 year, 100,000 mile warranty. That extra 40,000 on GM's warranty is an excellent sales booster. It's also kind of funny, that while so many of you trust GM so much, yet you insist they have a 100,000 mile warranty. If they are so great, who needs the warranty? If you want a real great car, with a better warranty than even GM, or Ford, or anybody, try Hyundai. They are really shining right now. I love Honda's, have never had a problem with any of mine as I stated before, but if they take a serious quality drop, I won't think twice about moving on to a better brand. Which right now is Hyundai.
1st Nov 2009, 20:52
Great point. The 2007 Toyotas were so bad that Consumer Reports pulled their "recommended" status. And if you do a bit of research, you'll discover that Honda/Acura transmissions are lasting about as long as politician's promises.