Buying American, is it important?

[redneckford]

Please!!!!Please!!!! Someone in Georgia post pictures of all those manufacturing assembly line plants located near the ports that build all those componet parts in america from american iron ore and american made plastic and american made tires,bearings,gears,seal and shafts. Not going to happen cause only a few american hours of labor is in each tractor. Some "is" better than none I agree. But quit spinning those WORDS "Assembled in America"
It is just a darn false hood. a d---- L----- I don't care if it is JD, CNh,MF,ACCO, Kubota, Yanmara/Cub or whoever else I left out show me the factury and assembly line and I will shut up. Been there saw that and know what the real truth is!!!! Messick what kind of sales pitch have they been feeding these folks!!!!All those steel mills in Pa running wide open making Kubota parts I think not. Just seen another load of junk cars headed to the port to return as tractor parts?From who knows where. Thank someone for this world wide economy. Maybe Mal-----they are making alot of money. But as Sam always said it is just paper ain't no gold in that there BANK!!!!

 

[Cook123]

Buying American, is it important?What do you think?
Buying American, is it important? Make up any reason for buying any foreign nameplate that you can.
Buying American, is it important? I bought a J D cut because it said JD now it is an American co. right? If I buy a toyota or a nissan assembled in the US of A does the money not go back to a japanese co? Can any one in there right mind not admit that buying American would not really be better for the U S economy? Maybe 50 years from now we can all be driving cars made in Afganistan or Iraq. I am sure they will be just fine from 911 Motors Corporation LTD.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

I bought a J D cut because it said JD now it is an American co. right? If I buy a toyota or a nissan assembled in the US of A does the money not go back to a japanese co? Can any one in there right mind not admit that buying American would not really be better for the U S economy?

Yes. That's exactly what I am saying.

Say you buy a $20,000 tractor from an American company that brings a tractor in from India (cough, Deere 5xx3 series). Of that $20,000 the dealer may skim off 10% (on a good day) the OEM will pocket about 5% as profit to the shareholders and spend say 10-15% on local overhead, local advertising, etc. So about 25-30% of your dollar is staying in the USA with "American Company X". The rest was spent in an foreign economy.

Now lets take "Japanese company Y". They do build parts in Japan. However a bulk of their administrative offices are in the USA along with all implement manufacturing, a lot of engineering, about half the final assembly lines, they even happen to export product from here as well. (I've been here). They've also got subsidies like KMA (Kubota Manufacturing of America) and KIE (Kubota Industrial Equipment) that are American companies. So we take our $20,000 and send that puny 5% profit back to Japan... whoopie. "Japanese company Y" is spending a much larger percentage of the cost of the product in the good ole USA and doing our country much more good.

So yes. Not buying American can be better for the American economy if said American company is not making their investments in the good ole US of A.


(hate mail disclaimer : I'm not trying to say that Kubota does more for the USA than Deere. There are good examples showing both sides. I'm just trying to start the discussion)

 

[redneckford]

They didn't let you take any pictures of those factories either Messick? When you went there. Thanks for the truth!!! Now come on guys some pictures or facts not something you read about Sonny (Perdue a Polo---tis--an)or Cher. Not something your tractor saleman has been coached up to tell you. JUST THE FACTS!!! Sometimes the honest truth is real painful and costly. Ask a Farmtra Dealer!!!

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

They didn't let you take any pictures of those factories either Messick?

No. I got my camera out and got yelled at. This is file photo though. This is a mixed assembly line. So there will be a GR headed for a dealer in Kansas, followed by a tractor thats not even sold in the USA that is bound for Europe. There are these robots that move all the parts around... its awesome!

If you want to talk Farm Trac, Don't you think what I'm saying totally applies?! They made a minimal investment in the USA, their interest was dumping totally foreign product here. They had very little investment in this country, most of the dollars spent where abroad. Based upon whats been posted about their assets our dealership has got more invested than that whole company did. So when times get tough they cut and run. Don't you think that would have turned out differently if they employed thousands of American workers and had production lines here? If they are making an investment here they've got much more at stake and are doing something for this country rather than simply taking advantage of our economy. I'm not trying to be insensitive to whats happened, there are alot of hurting dealerships and customers who are up the creek because of this. My point is simply that you can be a good foreign company, or a bad one. Same goes for a domestic company. Its a global economy and our understanding of this issue needs to be adjusted. If someone wants a good read on this subject pick up a copy of "The World Is Flat". I'm no expert, but I enjoy the discussion.

 

[redneckford]

Are the robots american made??? just picking!!!

 

[mjncad]

For me, if the quality of the American product (Company is American) is as good as the foreign, I want to buy American. However if the foreign is better and is in the same price range, I admit I am tempted to buy the foreign. What are your thoughts on this?

I buy from whoever gives me the best quality product. I used to be a GM fan; but my first new truck was a 1983 S-10 pickup I bought during the "Buy American" rant when Toyota, et al were kicking American companies' butts with quality products. That S-10 was the biggest pile of crap I ever owned, and I swore off GM ever since then. I own a Honda Accord and it's the best car I ever owned. My wife got me hooked on Honda's. My truck is a Ford, and I'm happy with it; but if Toyota, et al ever build a true F-250 and up class of truck, I will seriously look at them should I be in the market for another/replacement pickup.

My gripe with everything coming from China is that it is crap for the most part. Yes, there are exceptions; but most Chinese made stuff regardless of what it is fails far sooner than it should. Also, I would like a choice between a quality product made in America, Canada, Japan or Europe versus a piece of low cost Chinese, Indian, etc made junk. The choice of where a product is made has been taken away from me.

Also, in spite of China's new found openness (by their standards), they are still a Communist country with a fundamental dislike of America. Yet, we are stupid enough to allow them to fulfill all our manufacturing needs. Even in a global economy, a country that can't be self sufficient is doomed to fail.

Another poster asked about getting a "I drive Toyota..." bumper sticker. go to CafePress: Unique, custom t-shirts & gifts to express yourself and you can have your own stuff made quite reasonably. I believe the printing is done in Kentucky. I can't vouch for the origin of the sticker material, mugs, T-shirts, etc. I've been happy with the stuff I've ordered from them.

 

[redneckford]

Well said guys I just want everyone dealing with these tractors from everywhere to understand that we are in a new day and time and the rules have changed and they will change some more. Quality and price must have a point of coralation. Each persons needs and wants will be different, as long as you make a purchase and you have "all" the facts you can live with the mistake . However if you find out later that someone scamed you or lied about the facts you start to distrust everyone (JD's built in India, Fords built in India and dealers selling them as made in US) and that makes for a very stressful day for everyone. Bill Muth taught me how much power the marketing department has in making a manufacturing desision. A $30 change in a square baler was not a sellable feature but with the change the service call would be $100 less---- marketing won. Just like with this China deal, several friends have spent alot of time over there and have found quality products. However the price point is just to high to work in the US market at this time with the weak dollar and all. They found toys like we built in the 50's over there but they will last for 10 or 20 years. Do you really think the big w---m--- wants to sell a toy that last 10 years or one that last 10 months. Can you afford it??? In my grandson's case 10 minutes. A true tractor owner in the making cause--- he can sure take it apart and want pawpaw to put it back together "right now" for free!!!! Just human nature.

 

[Timber]

I don't care who I buy from, the market is global. If American company's want to compete for my business the all they have to do produce quality, and price I'm interested in. It is simple really, give the consumer what they want at a price they can afford, they don't care who makes it

 

[Volfandt]

Please!!!!Please!!!! Someone in Georgia post pictures of all those manufacturing assembly line plants located near the ports that build all those componet parts in america from american iron ore and american made plastic and american made tires,bearings,gears,seal and shafts. Not going to happen cause only a few american hours of labor is in each tractor. Some "is" better than none I agree. But quit spinning those WORDS "Assembled in America"

Don't have any pic's as I've never been there but follow the links for Kubota's publically stated info.

Kubota Manufacturing of America
Headquarters: Gainesville, Georgia, U.S.A.

Kubota Manufacturing of America (KMA) was formed in 1988 as Kubota痴 North American manufacturing base. KMA manufactures and assembles Kubota lawn tractors, zero-turn mowers, sub-compact tractors, loaders, backhoes and other implements. The company employs 1200 workers. Two master buildings offer 616,000 square feet of manufacturing space. Today, one-third of all Kubota branded equipment sold in the United States is manufactured or assembled at its 151-acre Gainesville, Georgia facility.

Kubota Tractor Corporation - Company Information