21st Jun 2009, 11:51
"How does it help if a certain domestic model is manufactured overseas (not the entire line)?... the profit still goes here, not overseas to corporate Japan."
And just what are the manufacturers doing with the profit?
Are they building more factories outside of the US?
You would think that an American autoworker would not be in favor of exporting US autoworker jobs to other countries.
But I guess NOTHING surprises me anymore.
23rd Jun 2009, 11:54
There is no point in re-writing this comment every time the "what difference does it make" argument comes up. It IS simple math. Hurting 91% of American workers by buying from a foreign manufacturer or HELPING 91% of our people by buying from the Big Three. I prefer helping 91% of my neighbors to helping only 9% of them. I drive domestics.
24th Jun 2009, 11:56
Until they can build a long-term, reliable, dependable, stylish, economical car, I will drive "imports." I help my neighbors by working hard, being a law abiding citizen, helping out as a taxpayer, etc. The kind of car I drive has NOTHING to do with my willingness to help the people of my country. It's a free-market economy and I can drive whatever car I please.
24th Jun 2009, 21:13
I drive a C5 Corvette extremely reliable..
Made in USA and up to 30 mpg on long trips driven conservatively. Here is a great domestic to address your wish.
25th Jun 2009, 11:28
91 plus 9 equals 100. Pretty simple. Shame to not assist 91 percent of your neighbors wherever possible.
25th Jun 2009, 16:16
In reply to 25th Jun 2009, 06:11
Enough said. The numbers are clear, concise and need no clarification. How is 9% versus 91% "Fuzzy math"??
25th Jun 2009, 19:25
This is ridiculous - by buying a vehicle made in MEXICO - How are you helping any American Autoworker?
It looks to me like you're not helping the 91% or the 9% - You might be helping the stockholders... hmmmm.
Do you guys even get that?
26th Jun 2009, 12:55
"by buying a vehicle made in MEXICO - How are you helping any American Autoworker"
This gets to the heart of the problem. The unionized autoworkers see the success of the company they work for as being completely separate from their own financial well being. Guess what..., that's why they are losing their jobs.
26th Jun 2009, 13:31
If you buy a Japanese car made in America, where does the vehicle profit from the sale of each automobile go to? If you buy certain domestics made in another country, does Mexico retain the profit? I solved the entire issue... my domestic cars were made here. Better ride, warranty and handling as well.
26th Jun 2009, 15:12
We all of us get it. The person who uses the 91/9 comparison should just go and be the mouthpiece for American car companies.
27th Jun 2009, 11:04
Most people would (logically) agree that helping 91% of our people is better than helping 9%. I certainly do. I buy only from U.S. companies, whether it's cars, computers, TV's or home appliances.
27th Jun 2009, 11:12
15:12 - I agree. Let the "mouthpieces" spew their corporate propaganda.
I only hope that common sense prevails and people don't look at the Honda or Toyota owner as less American than the Ford or Chevy owner.
A reasonable person would understand that this Import Vs. Domestic argument is pointless, when American Corporations, American banks, even those who run to the government for bail-out money, are outsourcing their jobs to other countries.
When I try to put forth a reasonable comment regarding this, it is assumed that I drive a Toyota or Honda, yet I drive a Jeep, built in Ohio.
28th Jun 2009, 08:55
We became a pro domestic family after 2003 many Hondas.Owned. Had serious drivetrain issues. Why look at all if quality was there we would not have left. I am very satisfied now.
28th Jun 2009, 21:58
Since when is helping 91% of U.S. citizens versus 9% of U.S. citizens "pointless". Please justify such odd reasoning.
29th Jun 2009, 14:10
The fact of the matter is, is that people should be free to decide whichever car they drive. Whether we are hurting 91% of workers and helping 9% is beside the point. We all of us work hard for our money on our jobs each day and can spend it as we see fit. It is wrong, flat-out wrong for someone to say that its "unpatriotic" to buy a foreign-named vehicle.
29th Jun 2009, 14:18
Again, your argument suggests that 100% of all Americans are US Autoworkers. Every man, woman & child.
That my good man is indeed FUZZY MATH in my book.
Enough of the 91% vs. 9% already.
29th Jun 2009, 22:18
I guess my family makes every effort to now spend where we lessen the unemployment impact, business losses, reduction of downsizing on family and friends and even I think of my children's future. Buying an 2009 import car in my opinion multiplied by others just seems wrong. I see excellent domestic models and warranties in place and minimal issues in our family. I would like to think if more and more people looked beyond rushing out to buy a new import, it can only help heal the economy. You can buy a new import and watch your house go down in value, have less businesses paying taxes and we can pay more out.
The worst feeling I would have is being downsized and knowing I could have made choices detrimental to both myself and others in the same boat. I feel good have new domestics in my driveway with 100,000 mile warranties and we like them. I bought new imports in the past and maybe I partially am to blame, but I feel it's in the current economy state to buy where it does not send profits and jobs permanently away.
29th Jun 2009, 23:26
I am sure whoever puts forth the 91/9 comparison is no American car spokesman. All the market research has shown that any kind of message like "buy American" will be interpreted by the consumers as "we know our American cars are not up to the foreign competition, so please feel sorry for us and buy our cars anyway."
The market research does show there is a hard core that will buy American no matter what, but it is far too small to support any auto company. And they already feel that way so they don't change their behaviors based on that kind of advertising.
30th Jun 2009, 11:43
I felt sorry for myself by not checking around more before buying another new Honda. It cost me a lot when Carfax recorded every incident. I found the reverse with current domestics, and am saving money. Since my 401k is down, I look at actuality now not ad hype. Foolhardy to not look at all cars and trucks warranties etc.
30th Jun 2009, 11:55
OK, let's look at it from the perspective of the OVERALL U.S. citizenry who are involved in the automotive industry either directly or indirectly. That figure is 10% of the working population of the U.S. That means that buying a Japanese vehicle helps only 0.9% of our citizens while hurting 9.1%. That is STILL a VERY SIZABLE number, and the 9 versus 91 factor is still valid. That is in no way, shape or form "fuzzy math". It is extremely sad that so many of our citizens are so totally uninformed about the dire consequences of buying Japanese vehicles. We once were a patriotic country that cared about our neighbors. Apparently that is no more. Perhaps we deserve what we have brought upon ourselves.
21st Jun 2009, 01:52
I had the same experience with my Honda Civic as commenter 17:07 had with his Accord. High oil consumption, dismal mileage and a host of mechanical problems. The difference is, mine was built in Japan in 1990. I guess I might have gotten a rare lemon, but our Japanese-built Mazda was also very poorly built and unreliable. We long ago switched to domestics and have had no problems at all with any of them.