Desire to buy American brands?

[Keef]

When I was in Japan, I noticed all the farm and lawn equipment there was 99% Japanese. (I saw one Volvo tractor). In asking around in Japan, I was told they want to support Japanese company's who they know will give them the service they expect. Most would not even consider buying an import.

If you could buy a John Deere, CAT, Ford, or Simplicity which are American company's, what would attract you to buy a foreign unit? I know the American equipment is not like some American cars that are not up to par to lets say a Honda. And yes some parts are made overseas, but you know what I mean.

 

[polo1665]

If I could have purchased a (same size) tractor that was made in the United States I guess I would have. My understanding was that you could not find tractors in my size range that were made in the United States, only assembled in the U.S.A..

If assembled in the U.S.A. is the criteria, then I guess I did buy American.

 

[Ductape]

I suspect that, all things being equal, an overwhelming majority of us at TBN would always buy American. Unfortunately, with our current "global economy" its impossible to do so...... since there is really no such thing as an "american made" CUT.

With all due respect, this has really been beat to death here recently.

 

[Volfandt]

Still beating a dead horse?http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/buying-pricing-comparisons/124098-buying-american-important.html

 

[redneckford]

TBN Tractor Manufacturing----coming to a state near you----with all this knowledge----someone just start building one here!!!!! We can paint it any color you prefer as long as it is ------??? What do you mean wh's got the money????

 

[schmism]

i suppose you have to define whats an american brand?

<steps up on soapbox>

Being from STL the recent take over news by InBev has generated a lot of stir. some have said they wont buy A&B anymore... cause its not an domestic beer anymore.

Toyota tundra trucks are assembled in US, but the majority still consider it a "foreign" ruck.

The Ford F150 is assembled in Mexico and still considered by many to be an "American made" truck.

Many shop at walmart (an American owned company) but yet fill there basket with almost 100% Chinese goods but dont feel bad because they are shopping at an American owned company.

so back to the question, whats American made?

assembled in the us?
every part in this object is built in the us (castings, bolts, screws, plastic houseings etc)
How about 51% of the "stuff" in a product are US built then is it US made?
What if the company is foreign owned?
What if 51% of the companies stock is owned by foreign investors.
What if the stock is 100% owned by US citizens but its world headquarters is in and pays taxes in some foreign country.

In a world economy what is supporting the home team?

</soapbox>

 

[JoeinTX]

@keef

I don't think there are any purely "American" tractors anymore under 50hp (arguably under 100hp).

All major brands design and produce these items outside of North America...yes, even John Deere. Some ship the sub-assembly to N.A. for final assembly and inspection but that's about it. I'm not sure about Simplicity since I see them as building riding mowers and these things are still primarily domestic in production.

There is no "Ford" tractor anymore.....there are New Hollands fully owned by Fiat and made overseas along with their Case counterparts. AGCO, though U.S. based, sources almost all of its tractors from abroad. Any Cub Cadet tractor (not riding mower) is a Yanmar.


In this arena you go with the best local dealer with the best support at the best price regardless of brand or emblem.

 

[mjncad]

Remember Keef; Japan makes it nearly impossible for foreign companies to sell their products in their country. Yet, when America cried foul back in the 80's about Japan's closed markets, they ignored us and the silly trade tariff tit for tat war began.

There is a difference between free trade and fair trade, and America's leaders have yet to learn that difference. Fair trade means a win-win deal for both parties; while free trade is open to all sorts of interpretations.

 

[unreconstructed]

We also had a smaller firefight over this on the JD forum.

 

[Revelation]

Yes it's true that a lot of American company's have parts made overseas or in Mexico. However the American company still gets profit when they sell their equipment. We lost the electronics war in the 70's, and now we are losing the automobile war. I am glad Honda and others make vehicles here which give us jobs, but I am sad that another American car company may not be around in the next 5 years. Yes a lot of it is their fault, but I feel we need to suport them now so they won't go under. Ford for instance is finally making much improved cars.

In regards to lawn tractors, if the American brand like John Deere is good as the imports, I will buy the American brand even if some parts are made somewhere else. I want to support the American company's.

But then we get company's like Hershey who is moving their Reading PA plant who makes York Pepermint Patty's to Mexico. Not because they are not making a decent profit, but because they want a larger profit at the expense of their employees. They are shutting that whole plant in PA down. (Not the big corp. plant mind you..that one in Hershey PA is still making chocolate.) Budweiser also is now owned by a overseas company. We are shooting ourselves. Wait and see...15 years from now, the US will no longer be the powerful nation it once was...and you know what, I think we deserve it due to the corporate greed.