21st Sep 2011, 11:20
Well, the pendulum certainly swings in both directions, and those who refuse to consider imported cars, also seem to deny the fact that an awful lot of the American cars out there were actually designed, engineered, and built overseas and imported to the US. Look up "Captive Import". US car companies have done this a lot, where a totally foreign car, sometimes which is sold even in the US as a Toyota, Honda, Nissan, or whatnot gets a Chevy, Ford, or Chrysler badge stuck on the front. The only distinction between it and its foreign underpinnings is the badge - which itself may have also been made at that same Japanese, European, or whatever factory.
Also - if everyone had the same attitude that we can't support other economies, then the entire global economy would crash overnight and we would be thrown into a deep and probably permanent depression.
But even if you were to never-ever buy a foreign-branded vehicle, then your desire to support only American interests would never be met, because the American cars you buy will be filled with parts made by various international companies from all over the world. Likewise, the drive train, interior, or exterior, or one of the many other parts that makes that car were likely designed, engineered, or developed from teams based in international locations. If a drive train for a domestic car was designed in say - Germany, then exactly where do those engineers live? In Germany where those workers buy groceries, pay taxes to the German government, and buy goods from German stores. So even though the GM or Ford engine they worked on might later be manufactured for one of those products to be sold elsewhere, those who buy them, regardless of where they live, will in turn be doing a small part towards supporting the German economy.
Ahh yes.. The modern global economy. It hums along and works like a well-oiled machine. The notion that buying "American" really means it's literally made in America is outdated and inaccurate.
21st Sep 2011, 12:25
I guess I am enriching the German economy, as everyone I know drives BMW's and Audi's, as does 50% of the business sector. The American workers who work for Toyota and Honda, and who may be your neighbors don't count. By the way, the original review here is for a Toyota Camry, so why did you read it. It leads one to believe your sole purpose is bashing.
21st Sep 2011, 11:17
Good, you do that. Filling up the pockets of Ford, GMs greedy management and owners, buying over priced and sub standard vehicles, usually built overseas and/or with a high content of foreign made parts. You do that, and I'll buy the vehicles that actually represents the best value and that have the highest quality.
Talking about 'engineering content' of so called domestic cars, you often have to look deeper into things. Because many 'domestics' are partly or entirely designed and engineered overseas. Like the Chevrolet Aveo being completely designed, engineered and built outside the US.
So how does that help the US economy? How does that help YOUR economy?