How Important is Made in the USA?

[smstonypoint]

I'm not sure I understand their order. If you look at the "U.S. Parts" percentage, the order/ranking doesn't make sense. They state the Camry is the "Most US" car, but there are others that have a higher U.S. Parts percentage.

I can't answer your question, but the cars.com site says "The index recognizes cars that are built here, have a high amount of domestic parts and are bought in large numbers by American consumers."

Here's a real surprise to me. "The Ford F-150, the best-selling vehicle in the country, doesn't make the AMI this year because the truck's domestic parts content fell from 75 percent in 2009 to 55 percent this year."

Steve

 

[CCWKen]

The order is based on market share not the one with the most US parts. Clearly the two Fords win, hands-down, at 90% but Toyota (80%) and Honda (75%) are the top sellers in the examples given. I think it's just a mater of advertising dollars as to where CNN ranked the entries. But, of course, what would you expect? Factual reporting? Come on.

 

[pharmvet]

I'm 40 years old and have "ALWAYS" tried to purchase products made in the USA. Admittedly, the reason mostly being because I like QUALITY. It has been my experience that most of the time, products made in the USA are superior in quality to foreign made products, exceptions being (Browning shotguns made in Belgium and Japan, Weatherby rifles and Meindle boots made in Germany, Swarovski binoculars and scopes made in Austria, etc, etc) I'm referring mostly to tools and implements. Try to find a good heavy extension cord made in USA. Try to find a trailer jack, a vertical meat tenderizer ....the list is endless. Anyway, in the past several years I have become to feel a real sense of patriotism. I have 3 children and own my own business. I am eating a big ole piece of the American Pie and feel very strongly that every American should do the same. It seems to me America is stumbling now. We are allowing the foundation to crumble before our very eyes. I believe that "Buying American Made Products" is the single most important decision (other than voting for Patriotic politicians) that we as AMERICANS can make. It's such a small price to pay compared to what our soldiers are enduring on a daily basis and what our soldiers and civilians endured in the not too distant past. Keep America strong, keep jobs here, help instill National Pride. BUY AMERICAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mjncad]

I'm 40 years old and have "ALWAYS" tried to purchase products made in the USA. Admittedly, the reason mostly being because I like QUALITY. It has been my experience that most of the time, products made in the USA are superior in quality to foreign made products, exceptions being (Browning shotguns made in Belgium and Japan, Weatherby rifles and Meindle boots made in Germany, Swarovski binoculars and scopes made in Austria, etc, etc) I'm referring mostly to tools and implements. Try to find a good heavy extension cord made in USA. Try to find a trailer jack, a vertical meat tenderizer ....the list is endless. Anyway, in the past several years I have become to feel a real sense of patriotism. I have 3 children and own my own business. I am eating a big ole piece of the American Pie and feel very strongly that every American should do the same. It seems to me America is stumbling now. We are allowing the foundation to crumble before our very eyes. I believe that "Buying American Made Products" is the single most important decision (other than voting for Patriotic politicians) that we as AMERICANS can make. It's such a small price to pay compared to what our soldiers are enduring on a daily basis and what our soldiers and civilians endured in the not too distant past. Keep America strong, keep jobs here, help instill National Pride. BUY AMERICAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I and others hear you; but the problem is the choice of buying American is rapidly being taken away from the consumer. I recently blasted Milwaukee via email for making their premium priced tools in China now. They didn't lower the price to reflect their cost savings.

If I want Chinese made crap, I'll go to Harbor Freight; if I want quality stuff...where am I to go at the rate that anything and everything is being made in China now.

 

[tulenutn2o]

I'm 40 years old and have "ALWAYS" tried to purchase products made in the USA. Admittedly, the reason mostly being because I like QUALITY. It has been my experience that most of the time, products made in the USA are superior in quality to foreign made products, exceptions being (Browning shotguns made in Belgium and Japan, Weatherby rifles and Meindle boots made in Germany, Swarovski binoculars and scopes made in Austria, etc, etc) I'm referring mostly to tools and implements. Try to find a good heavy extension cord made in USA. Try to find a trailer jack, a vertical meat tenderizer ....the list is endless. Anyway, in the past several years I have become to feel a real sense of patriotism. I have 3 children and own my own business. I am eating a big ole piece of the American Pie and feel very strongly that every American should do the same. It seems to me America is stumbling now. We are allowing the foundation to crumble before our very eyes. I believe that "Buying American Made Products" is the single most important decision (other than voting for Patriotic politicians) that we as AMERICANS can make. It's such a small price to pay compared to what our soldiers are enduring on a daily basis and what our soldiers and civilians endured in the not too distant past. Keep America strong, keep jobs here, help instill National Pride. BUY AMERICAN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amen and many, many KUDOS to you my fellow AMERICAN!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[tulenutn2o]

How about your parents, or your grandparents? I bet you are better off than they were........
You guys are right, give companies free reign to do what ever they want, that will make it all better, oh yeah, even with the tight restrictions, bp still has that little leak in the gulf. I bet that would not have happened with no regulations.

As for the price of the implements, I agree with what many have said, if it is a quality product, I would gladly pay 10-20 percent more. My feeling is that if this is the case, overseas manufactured producers would just lower their prices to force out the competition. I believe that the profit margin is very large on some of these imported goods. They will always be able to produce goods cheaper. I have seen this at work, two products that serve the same purpose, the cost of overseas manufactured, about 50 percent of US made. Both high quality items. Retail price are within 10-15 percent, where is the difference is the wholesale price. So, the foreign stuff make more for my company. Don't know if it is the same situation as implements, but seems logical.

That's an assumption that would be wrong on your part. My in-laws and my parents enjoy better health coverage, freedom and means to do whatever suits them. I will be paying more of my savings and retirement for less in retirement.(got to pay for everybody else's care now). My trade is being regulated ,taxed,licensed, permitted ,etc., to the point of being ridiculous.(Revenue generator for government). Otherwise known as yet another way to tax. If playing field were equal, I still stand by my statement that things would be much different on the manufacturing front. As long as China can manipulate their currency, not adhere to environmental laws, and basically have slave labor, things will not change.

 

[sparkyaber]

That's an assumption that would be wrong on your part. My in-laws and my parents enjoy better health coverage, freedom and means to do whatever suits them. I will be paying more of my savings and retirement for less in retirement.(got to pay for everybody else's care now). My trade is being regulated ,taxed,licensed, permitted ,etc., to the point of being ridiculous.(Revenue generator for government). Otherwise known as yet another way to tax. If playing field were equal, I still stand by my statement that things would be much different on the manufacturing front. As long as China can manipulate their currency, not adhere to environmental laws, and basically have slave labor, things will not change.

Sorry to hear that, Me, my wife, and all of my friends are better off financially, than our parents, and especially our grandparents. I have put substantial savings away for retirement, not counting on anyone else to pay my way when that time comes (Social Security). This is started to head down the wrong path from the OP, I will bow out.
I totally agree with your last two sentences! I wish it was equal.

 

[Builder]

I remember stating my feelings about avoiding buying Chinese products when possible and being called a "myopic racist" , so I try to stay out of these "debates" when possible.

I think it's rare to find a company that produces a product that really puts quality ahead of profits. Most companies are controlled by board of directors and the boards represent stockholders and the stockholders demand dividends.

Milwaukee tools was brought up a few posts ago. I have a truckload of Milwaukee power tools. I think they make the best. I was very disappointed that they decided to close a lot of US production and move it to China, Mexico and Hungary, China making me the most aggravated. Luckily, I bought a lot of their US made tools which hold up VERY well.

I did recently buy their small driver drill made in China and the batteries are already shot and not taking a charge.

 

[dcyrilc]

I remember stating my feelings about avoiding buying Chinese products when possible and being called a "myopic racist" , so I try to stay out of these "debates" when possible.

I think it's rare to find a company that produces a product that really puts quality ahead of profits. Most companies are controlled by board of directors and the boards represent stockholders and the stockholders demand dividends.

Milwaukee tools was brought up a few posts ago. I have a truckload of Milwaukee power tools. I think they make the best. I was very disappointed that they decided to close a lot of US production and move it to China, Mexico and Hungary, China making me the most aggravated. Luckily, I bought a lot of their US made tools which hold up VERY well.

I did recently buy their small driver drill made in China and the batteries are already shot and not taking a charge.

Hmmm. You have me thinking. Maybe more of us who use these tools (milwaukee, etc) should be buying stock and voting on where and how production is done. Got to keep the quality up. I'm going to have to replace my Milwaukee drill before long.

 

[mjncad]

Hmmm. You have me thinking. Maybe more of us who use these tools (milwaukee, etc) should be buying stock and voting on where and how production is done. Got to keep the quality up. I'm going to have to replace my Milwaukee drill before long.

Good point. My Milwaukee appears to have its hammering capability from lots of use; so I too have been keeping an eye out for a replacement when the inevitable happens to my non-Chinese made hammer-drill. That's when I discovered the evil "Made in China" phrase in McFeely's catalog next to Milwaukee products.