Consider buying American!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23124844/

GM just made it known that they lost 39 billion in 2007, the largest
ever annual loss for a US automaker.

The big three are losing money, and if we don't give them the support
they need, they are going to go under. Consider buying an American
car.

Here are some American models recommended in the 2007 Consumer Reports
Annual Auto Issue:

Buick Lacrosse
Buick Lucerne
Cadillac CTS
Cadillac CTS-V
Cadillac DTS
Chevrolet HHR
Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Malibu
Chevrolet Tahoe
Chrysler 300
Chrysler PT Cruiser
Dodge Durango
Ford Five Hundred
Ford Focus
Ford Freestyle
Ford Fusion
GMC Yukon
Jeep Liberty
Lincoln MKZ
Lincoln Town Car
Mercury Milan
Mercury Montego
Pontiac G6
Pontiac Torrent

 

What about Toyotas and Hondas made in America?

What the Ford Fusion, made in Mexico?

Shouldn't the Michigan 3 make their vehicles relevant to me rather than
the other way around?

Jeff

 

Toyota and Honda assemble cars all over the world, but the profits go
back to Japan.

 

er, leaving quality issues to one side, what percentage of these
"domestic" vehicles are made here? the "big three" all source a
significant proportion of componentry from china. a lot of assembly is
done in mexico. honda and toyota both source and assemble here.

 

how much tax do the big three pay here vs. the japanese?

 

and how many americans do they employ?

 

And some of those profits come back to the US. Plus, Toyota and Honda
pay US income taxes and employ US workers.

The Michigan 3 need to make themselves relevant to use, not the other
way around.

Jeff

 

About 70 to 80% of the parts that go into the Michigan 3 cars come from
the US or Canada.

For Hondas and Toyotas, the numbers of similar, but only for the cars
they make in the US.

Still, a higher proportion of the parts that go into US cars and trucks
made by the Michigan 3 are made in the US or Canada compared to the
foreign car makers. Toyota has plants in Mexico, as well.

 

The Japanese subsidies of Toyota and Honda pay corporate income tax to
states and the federal gov't as well as local property and other taxes.
How much in taxes they pay is not known. Neither the auto companies nor
the government bodies release the tax information.

You're welcome to search the internet or the even the Toyota and Honda
websites to find out how many people they employ.

Jeff

 

So, we should buy GM cars that are made OUTSIDE America, paying
foreigners, instead of buying Honda cars that are built by Americans
INSIDE America.

Hmmmmmm.

 

If you're interested, I'd start with the Investor Relations site for the
various companies.

 

Isn't that what free enterprise/capitalism is all about, i.e, buyers
switch to another company's products is supposed to spur the company
losing business to improve its products, pricing, etc.? Sounds as though
you want us to reward the Detroit execs for decades of short sighted
greed - count me out.

 

American cars are crap. Made by unionists more worried about when their
next coffee break is than making quality cars. They've negotiated themselves
right out of jobs as the big auto makers cut back. It's not possible to do
business
that way and compete on a world wide economy.

A couple years ago I bought a Nissan truck with 92,000 miles on it and
didn't bat an eye. I wouldn't even think of owning an American made
car with over 60,000 miles on it. They fall apart.

When American auto makers start turning out a quality product at
a competitive price I'll take a look at them.

t

 

You are right Jeff. There are no American Car companies anymore. The
only difference between "American" and "Japanese" companies is where
they are incorporated. American cars are assembled in the USA, Mexico
or Canada with parts made all over the world. The same holds true
with Toyota and Honda.

Jack

 

You left out Toyota
--


"We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good."

Hillary Clinton

 

Where do the profits go? The profits for Japanese manufacturers, no matter
where the car is built, go to Japan. It sucks revenue out of our economy.

 

The profits from the American subsidies of Honda and Toyota are taxed
the same way American companies are taxed, because, legally, they are
American companies.

Jeff

 

And of course the Japanese (and Chinese) are financing our national
debt (like paying for the Iraqi adventure) by investing their profits
in federal paper.
It all goes around....

 

It's hardly the workers' fault - Honda & Toyota employ American workers
and turn out quality vehicles. This is a management failing.

 

Consumers are voting with their dollars, Detroit needs to change the way
it does business or die.