Glad I bought American /JD

[plowrup]

AN FYI:
From what I have been able to find out, my 5000 series tractor was put together in Augusta, Georgia. I am not sure any 5000 series are made in Mexico, but I am pretty sure the PowerTech diesel motor in my 5105 was assembled in Mexico, then sent to Georgia. I have also found that some Deere Excavators are assembled in Mexico.

I believe the 03 Series are made offshore-with regard to the John Deere Excavators, they are made in Japan by Hitachi-Cat Excavators are made in Japan by Mitsubishi-Case Excavators are made in Japan by Sumitomo, Link Belt Excavators are made in Japan by Sumitomo, and the list goes on. The only American made Excavators? The ones you would not expect-Komatsu and Kobelco (most of them, anyway)-

 

[BattalionChief]

I believe the 03 Series are made offshore-with regard to the John Deere Excavators, they are made in Japan by Hitachi-Cat Excavators are made in Japan by Mitsubishi-Case Excavators are made in Japan by Sumitomo, Link Belt Excavators are made in Japan by Sumitomo, and the list goes on. The only American made Excavators? The ones you would not expect-Komatsu and Kobelco (most of them, anyway)-

Yes, the 5103's are made in India.. The 5105's (the one I bought) are "made" in Georgia.. (some parts from elsewhere I guess, like the engine from Mexico, etc.)
wow.. interesting info on the excavators.. I was reading in some John Deere "news" that they started making some excavators in Mexico.. maybe as a Dealer you can confirm that.. ??

 

[GeaugaDeere]

BattalionChief,

Congratulations on your JD Purchase, but even more so for haveing pride in this great country to say your glad you bought american. I too try to buy American as much as possible, it's just too bad that many "American" Companies are making it more and more difficult to do so. My new JD2305 was made in Japan, and the Hemi Engine in my 06 Ram Quad Cab 4x4 came from Mexico. The truck though, was assembled in St. Louis with stampings from my plant in Twinsburg, Ohio. My wife's Grand Caravan was assembled in Canada with an American Made Engine, Transmission, and (again) stampings and sub-assemblies from Twinsburg, Ohio. I even bought my last pair of shoes from New Balance because they are the only athletic/running/cross training shoes assembled in the USA. It's too bad that more people don't make a concerted effort to buy American...just imagine what would happen to all the Wal-Marts...

 

[MadReferee]

BattalionChief,

Congratulations on your JD Purchase, but even more so for haveing pride in this great country to say your glad you bought american. I too try to buy American as much as possible, it's just too bad that many "American" Companies are making it more and more difficult to do so. ...

It's too bad that more people don't make a concerted effort to buy American...just imagine what would happen to all the Wal-Marts...

You obviously fail to understand today's global economy. A true "all American" company just cannot compete. JD is a very good example although they do nothing to dispell the myth that they are "all American". Companies exist to make a profit and they cannot if they fail to recognize the globalness of the world today. The year is 2006 not 1956. Isolationism is not where this country should be or should be going to.

If more people bought American then they would probably have less money to spend elsewhere since "all American" goods usually sell for more. Wal-Mart would still be around because the average Joe public is looking to stretch his hard earned dollar as far as possible. Wal-Mart provides him that option.

 

[MessickFarmEqu]

You obviously fail to understand today's global economy.

I totally agree, the concept of American made is more or less completly gone. I get rather annoyed with the companies who try and sell product based on being "american made". There are plenty of foreign owned companeis making large investments in the US, while our failing "American" companies start looking abroad. Ford and Toyota are two good examples... as are New Holland and Kubota. I sell both, so I can knock them. New Holland sells a few "Made in America" tractors that are actually a less american product than many of the Kubota tractors. New Holland seems to be opening all their new factories abroad, but Kubota is opening theirs here. Its real possible for a foreign company to be doing more for the American public than a domestic company. I'm not judging the product here, both make a great tractor. However if you want to use the country of origin as your measuring stick you had better be looking beyond what it says in the marketing material.

In 2006 we need to be judging companies based on where they make their financial investments and not where their corporate offices are based.

 

[3RRL]

I have followed this thread from onset and realize it is in direct response my post in the Chinese section. I wanted to respond to some comments but decided to wait. I'm glad I did, because many of them have been made for me.

It has been refreshing to see so many venerable (and new) TBN members who recognize the fact that JD (nor many others) is not 100% American made regardless of what the company wants you to believe. I admire the fact that they brought up these points for all others to consider. I also appreciate that this thread did not totally degrade into a Chinese tractor bashing free-for-all, or worse, imply that buying other than JD was un-American. Instead, responses by others have cleared that up.

Like so many of us in our retirement years, the neccesity for saving money or the attemp thereof has forced us to buy alternative brands of goods...in all areas of our purchasing. It may not be what we "wanted", but in many cases it's what will have to do. If you've read my post, then you realize I was writing about how happy I was to get decent value from a much cheaper product without incurring "more" problems or expense as the big 3 tractors, or any others for that matter. I point out that all tractors suffer from necessary repairs and maintenance and that there is a cost savings (to me) initially and ongoing from my purchase. If anyone read anything else into that...read it again. I've found that "old school thinking" some common sense and a little elbow grease can turn an undesireable situation into a good one.