U.S. Automakers Are Anti-American, And America Is TooF

[TheMayor]

U.S. Automakers Are Anti-American, And America Is Too
From Jalopnik.


If we asked you to sum up what America's about with one word, what would that be? Freedom. Yet our automakers believe in giving it to foreigners, not Americans.

No, we're not just talking about the condescending nature with which they inform us that we don't really want the well-engineered, high-quality, good-looking, good-driving, practical, economical Euro-spec Ford Focus with a manual transmission, we're talking about allowing foreigners to compete freely in our market.

In Japan, they realized that in order to protect their auto industry it made sense to keep outsiders off their soil with expensive import restrictions on vehicle sales.

The real problem is, we as consumers are anti-American too. We're happy to buy all these imported cars, but resist legislation designed to protect domestic automakers. I guess you could say the real problem with American cars is Americans.

[kombi731]

I guess you could say the real problem with American cars is Americans.
I've been saying it and saying it. look at mike's trading in a wrx thread. What is it now posts on japenese vs. american cars gotta be like 10-1(me). Its a mentality.
Sure Toyota gives us jobs. See service, assembly, delivery, salespersons, parts etc. But they get their cut. That check going back overseas... She's a fatty. So how is japan's economy doing? we all know about ours.
I guess I'm a little psycho about it but sheesh last time I read my shirt at work it said ****** USA. not ****** Japan or China or Thailand or Taiwan and so on. (I just didn't put up the company name its not a foul word)

[Nick]

I guess, the money for the Big 3 workers means more to them than staying afloat. If they were smart, they should find a way to get rid of the union, as that is their biggest downfall. Everyone wants more money for the work they do, but don't really want to work for it. They should really take a look at the way Toyota runs their plants and find a way to implement it.

[kombi731]

well the unions rape the big 3, but they have a lot of retirees to take care of, way more than Toyota. (Toyota)Coming in later and saying we need to do this this and that. Learning from others and having no one to take care of is a bit easier. Then just build on your success. Sounds a little GO! airlinesish eh?
if our economy really hits the shit ter. Ultimately Toyota would pull out, keep their money, kill our jobs and give us the bird so to speak. They don't care about the American ppl they care about making money and gtfo out if they can't. Such is biz, BUT rotormotor makes a good point. Its known, yet we just let it happen. WHY??

do we trade w/ Cuba?? nope so whats the big deal, why can't they put restrictions on import vehicles and or large duties?

[kombi731]

Don't forget the big 3 are taking care of (now)old retired workers that had their buddies get blown away in WWII in the Pacific by who? Now (in their last years) they watch their own company struggle due to imports from that same country. Isn't that just the icing on the cake. :weirdo:

[Nick]

Ohhh wells. The Big 3 screwed themselves by letting the union come in, and then grow to the size it is now.

[TheMayor]

Ohhh wells. The Big 3 screwed themselves by letting the union come in, and then grow to the size it is now.

The sad part is the Unions are allowed in by the employees, not the management. I don't remember where I read it, but having an autoworkers union increases manufacturing costs by about $1700 per automobile.

[Nick]

The sad part is the Unions are allowed in by the employees, not the management. I don't remember where I read it, but having an autoworkers union increases manufacturing costs by about $1700 per automobile.

I know about the unions and how they work. As for the added cost because of unionization, I think $1700 is a little low. Maybe around $2400?

[TheMayor]

I know about the unions and how they work. As for the added cost because of unionization, I think $1700 is a little low. Maybe around $2400?

I could agree with that.

[kombi731]

US Automakers are American and helping Americans

sweet propaganda ! :D
----------------------

Why Support the Big Three?

......because they support us. CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford , Chrysler and GM's contributions to the Sept. 11, 2001 relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington.

The findings are as follows.....

1. FORD - $1 million to American Red Cross matching
employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursion vehicles to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER response team services and office space to displaced government employees.
2. GM - $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv's, and
trucks.
3. Chrysler - $10 million to support of the children and
victims of the Sept. 11 attack.
4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.
5. Volkswagen - Employees and management created a Sept. 11 Foundation, funded initial with $2 million, for the
assistance of the children and victims of the WTC.
6. Hyundai - $300,000 to the American Red Cross.
7. Audi - Nothing.
8. BMW - Nothing.
9. Daewoo - Nothing.
10. Fiat - Nothing.
11. Honda - Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001
12. Isuzu - Nothing.
13. Mitsubishi - Nothing.
14. Nissan - Nothing.
15. Porsche - Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.
16. Subaru - Nothing.
17. Suzuki- Nothing.
18. Toyota - Nothing despite claims of high sales in July
and August 2001. Condolences posted on the website .

Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a
new vehicle, you might want to give more consideration to a
car manufactured by an American-owned and / or American
based company.

Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car
companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the
United States . It's OK for these companies to take
money out of this country, but it is apparently not
acceptable to return some in a time of crisis.
We should not forget things like this. Say thank you in
a way that gets their attention..