Buy American

self | 7/28/2003 | Martin O'Reilly

[Moleman]

I own three cars- all American made.
1.2003 Olds Aurora
2. 199 Ford Explorer
3. 1969 Camaro Convertible 396 (Openly American!)

[joesnuffy]

Dodge 3/4 ton Cummins Turbo Diesel
Made in Mexico

[the infidel]

Here are some problems with your argument.

1. Many "American" vehicles are built in other counrties.
2. ALL "American" vehicles have foreign-made parts.
3. Many "Japanese" and "German" vehicles are built in the US.
4. Some "Japanese" motorcycles are built in Marysville, Ohio.
5. Many foreign and domestic companies are either operated together or have long-standing reciprocal deals with each other.

With respect to the first point, what's the difference between a Ford Escape and a Mazda Tribute? Slight trim differences and the Ford costs the same. Most Chrysler-Dodge front-wheel drive vehicles have Mitsubishi V6 engines regardless of where they're built. Many "domestic" vehicles are built in Canada or Mexico.

With respect to the second point, I think everyone realizes that many car and truck and motorcycle (how American is a H*rley anyway?) parts are sourced from Asia.

With respect to the third point, I'm about an hour north of a future Toyota plant (in San Antonio). Toyota has been building vehicles in the US for years. Same with Honda. Those employees earn money here, spend money here, and love our country as much as anyone. It's just that they work for Toyota or Honda.

Which takes me to the fourth point: Honda's motorcycle plant in Marysville builds all Goldwings, ACEs, and Valkyries for export as well as for the US market. These bikes are every bit as American-made as that other loud, shaky brand.

Those of us who had Ford Couriers or Chevy Luvs knew they were made by Mazda and Isuzu (respectively). Mopar had a deal with Mistubishi which continues to this day. Ford is a multinational corporation which now includes marques from England and Sweden. Buy a Volvo, support Ford. Buy a Mercedes, support Daimler-Chrysler.

No matter what you buy, you're supporting Americans -- and not just car salespeople unless you take the car to Japan, Germany, England, Sweden, or Korea for servicing; buying your parts directly from those countries; or avoid dealing with the many patriotic Americans who sell and service and repair vehicles.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

I bought a Made In America Mercury Capri and it turns out all the parts are made in Australia. It costs me a fortune when something goes wrong..not to mention the wait for the parts when they're out of stock. Never again.

[ETERNAL WARMING]

The Ford Foundation is not associated with the Ford Motor Company. Easy to assume, but untrue.

[the infidel]

Ford Foundation and Ford Motor Company are completely distinct entities. FoMoCo is a publicly traded multi-national business. Car and parts sales benefit the shareholders and employees of that business. As a capitalist, I think that's quite acceptable.

[the infidel]

San Antonio. El Paso is a wonderful, friendly, lovely city, but not an economically feasible (make that stupid) place to put an auto factory.