When I bought a new Ranger, the first year they came out (1983) my landlord gave me crap for buying foreign, although at that time the only non-USA part was the German made 2.8. Yet his GM pickup had a sticker saying "Made in Canada."
Imported Buick
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When I bought a new Ranger, the first year they came out (1983) my landlord gave me crap for buying foreign, although at that time the only non-USA part was the German made 2.8. Yet his GM pickup had a sticker saying "Made in Canada."
Pixguy
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Although you are correct, shouldn't we try to buy a car where a large majority of the auto is made in the US?
ultrarunner
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Lots of folks I know are soured on GM... these are mostly retired people of means and can buy what they want.
It really did surprise me that the feelings run so deep as I have cars from just about everywhere... none from China though...
It really did surprise me that the feelings run so deep as I have cars from just about everywhere... none from China though...
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Well... welcome to the rest of the world then Mates.
For decades, the Australian Government constantly propped up Holden (GM), Ford Australia and subsidised Toyota. And the workers still went on strike, and the vehicle prices still went up, etc... ad nauseum. Short story/long; the money's been pulled, 'Sink or swim' boys... and they're all 'pulling out'. Except the price has stabilised and the quality hasn't gone down. My Toyota ute is great and a few new companies are now entering the local market with large utes of their own (VW & Great Wall come to mind).
To put the shoe on the other foot; my tractor was built in (shock horror
) the U.S.A. And my FEL was made in Mexico. I'm not outraged that it isn't an 'Australian Made' tractor.
For decades, the Australian Government constantly propped up Holden (GM), Ford Australia and subsidised Toyota. And the workers still went on strike, and the vehicle prices still went up, etc... ad nauseum. Short story/long; the money's been pulled, 'Sink or swim' boys... and they're all 'pulling out'. Except the price has stabilised and the quality hasn't gone down. My Toyota ute is great and a few new companies are now entering the local market with large utes of their own (VW & Great Wall come to mind).
To put the shoe on the other foot; my tractor was built in (shock horror
) the U.S.A. And my FEL was made in Mexico. I'm not outraged that it isn't an 'Australian Made' tractor.
the old grind
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I was working at Buick, supporting 'Buick City', when GM built a LeSabre plant in China, rumored 'on the line' to replace our own product in US sales. Turns out that all were sold in Asia long before and after the demise of Buick's home complex and the particular product line.
Camrys are 'assembled' in USA from mostly imported parts (what isn't these days?), just enough to make content quotas. (Buyers' 'un-tax' dollars spent go to Japan, if that makes you feel better.)
Gov't loans to the car companies have been repaid with interest, tho' Goldman-Sachs (manager of Federal pensions/benefits) got a freebie. An economist would liken all those corporate 'bailouts' as little different than a gov't-backed mortgage, just on a different scale.
Most car companies import parts, and have for decades. GM may be the guy to kick, but they're all 'dirty' that way and the company is doing well despite our disdain. (Oh, if we only had more choices when buying ... )
btw, If cars were like tractors wouldn't we just choose by who has the closest dealership if that matters so much?
Camrys are 'assembled' in USA from mostly imported parts (what isn't these days?), just enough to make content quotas. (Buyers' 'un-tax' dollars spent go to Japan, if that makes you feel better.)
Gov't loans to the car companies have been repaid with interest, tho' Goldman-Sachs (manager of Federal pensions/benefits) got a freebie. An economist would liken all those corporate 'bailouts' as little different than a gov't-backed mortgage, just on a different scale.
Most car companies import parts, and have for decades. GM may be the guy to kick, but they're all 'dirty' that way and the company is doing well despite our disdain. (Oh, if we only had more choices when buying ... )
btw, If cars were like tractors wouldn't we just choose by who has the closest dealership if that matters so much?
OP
KennyG
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Gov't loans to the car companies have been repaid with interest, tho' Goldman-Sachs (manager of Federal pensions/benefits) got a freebie. An economist would liken all those corporate 'bailouts' as little different than a gov't-backed mortgage, just on a different scale.
A lot of good points in your post, but keep in mind the loans were not the whole deal. The Feds bought up a lot of GM stock and subsequently sold it at a loss (and also screwed over the bond holders to give preferential treatment to the union). So there was a major net loss to taxpayers and to private citizens who should have had protection, absent a true bankruptcy.
ultrarunner
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Toyota S is a small car that has really hit a sweet spot in California... the owner demographic here includes young and older buyers... maybe why Corolla is always a good bet and a good value in terms of resale...
I drive on the only GM cars in my neighborhood and mine are old... lots of foreign cars with a few Chrysler products...
Have no idea how representative the SF Bay Area is to the rest of the country in auto sales...
QRTRHRS
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