Posted on 04/22/2014 4:13:47 PM PDT by rickmichaels
The Kogod "Made in America" Auto Index may not be on your radar when comparing vehicles. In today’s market, building new vehicles is a global undertaking for all automakers, including those who call North America home.
That said, "built in America" still resonates with many people. Understanding that this is an important factor to some people, the Kogod index uses a unique evaluation process to determine how much domestic (North American) content is present in vehicles sold in the United States. A win here can mean a feather in the cap for some, specifically the Detroit "big three."
"This index provides the public with a more accurate reflection of the true country of origin of a car and the impact of its purchase on the US economy," said Associate Professor Frank DuBois, the index's author and an expert in global supply chains.
"And hopefully, it holds vehicle manufacturers accountable for the claims they make in marketing to U.S. consumers."
The vehicles to top the 2014 Kogod Made in America list are:
- Ford F-Series (score: 87.5 out of 100)
- Chevrolet Corvette (87.5)
- Buick Enclave(86)
- Chevrolet Traverse(86)
- GMC Acadia (86)
- GMC Acadia Denali (86)
The first Made in America Auto Index occurred in 2013, with the Acadia, Enclave, and Traverse each finishing tied at the top of the list with a score of 88.5.
The top 21 vehicles, in fact, are all either GM (18) or Ford (three) models, and a non-North American vehicle doesn't enter the list until 29 (Honda Odyssey).
A total of seven individual criteria are considered when calculating the index. This includes profit margin (6%), labour (6%), location of R&D activities (6%), assembly location (11%), engine and transmission production location (14% and 7%, respectively), plus where the body, chassis and electrical components are manufactured (50%). Canada and U.S. content is not differentiated, but calculated together for the final results.
I’d put up my old 57 Chevy 210 (or a Belair model), against them all. Can any of these get 8 girls in them, plus the driver, a feat I did in 1962? If not, then the 57 Chevy wins hands down.
Any government motors car built by unionists and subsidized by taxpayers is NOT my idea of an American car.
I just fired Government Motors.
I sold my Chevy 2009 Silverado after the second door handle came off in my hand, just opening the door. That cost me $300.00 to replace. The first one to come off was when the truck was still under factory warranty.
After I sold the Chevy, I went out and bought a FORD Taurus Limited.
Very subjective .....................
........ when calculating the index. This includes:
- profit margin (6%)
- labour (6%)
- location of R&D activities (6%)
- assembly location (11%),
- engine and transmission production location
- (14% and 7%, respectively), plus where the body, chassis and electrical components are manufactured (50%). Canada and U.S. content is not differentiated, but calculated together for the final results.
I could probably come out with a formula that looks a lot different. Besides, I will not buy a GM union made automobile.
When the UAW stops electing Maoists to their leadership I'll reconsider buying Ford,GM and Chrysler.Not before.
Also, how about showing us the rest of the list?
And these three are very much the same vehicle:
- Buick Enclave(86)
- Chevrolet Traverse(86)
- GMC Acadia (86)
Lame.
Nice! Does it have the push-button automatic tranny?
Well this is from the "Toronto Sun". They are considering North American content the same as American. Though, I realize some on FR would beg to differ.
I have owned probably 30-40 cars in my life but the one which really stands out and by a long way is my 65 Olds Delta 88. It had a 425 370 HP and just ran and ran and ran.
I see reports on modern cars and am amazed that they can get 500 HP out of something like a 2.4 liter engine but that just has to stress things too much.
That old 65 Olds would cruise effortlessly on interstate at 80mph. It would do it all day long too. There are and were faster cars but 370hp is power enough for just about any normal use.
Probably the most surprising thing about it was how nimble it was despite having a large heavy body.
My Champion has the good ol' 3 on-the-tree with overdrive.
Now, if you were talking about a Silverhawk, then I’d listen. The early Studebakers were butt and front ugly, like Helen Thomas on steroids.
The Lark was just a cigarette pack wrapper on wheels.
The ugliest car was about a 1949 Hudson. My neighbor had a brown one that looked like a giant roach. We used to go out and spray it with a Flit can just to make sure it wasn’t alive.
Another neighbor had a 56 White T Bird, a 57 Pink T Bird and one other car.
They just don’t make them like they used to.
Sorry about your 51 Studebaker. Hope it had a nice funeral.
Those old Hudsons were absolute tanks.
I remember as a kid watching them run the local stock car races.
They had the “twin H-power” 6-cyl engine.
Agree.
And they only listed six vehicles while three of them are basically the same:
- Buick Enclave(86)
- Chevrolet Traverse(86)
- GMC Acadia (86)
Other than the name plate on each, these three are basically the same.
None of the others - for any reason whatsoever.
I distinctly remember my grandfather’s Desoto having a cluster of push buttons on the dash, and a little lever below them for Park.
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