another debate

[mnwildpunk]

I got into a conversation today over the fact there isn't a true American car I said probably the closest thing is now a Toyota camry or subaru I've been looking at new supposed U.S cars and noticed they are not made here what do you call a U.S. car a chrysler owned by fiat a Ford built in canada A chevy from Mexico or a Toyota the is built in the U.S. and sent back to Japan

[Guest]

Sorry, no such thing as a "American" car. Parts on all brands come from all over the world.

[mikemodeler]

Lee is correct that parts today are globally sourced so defining an "American" car is not as easy as it once was. I remember a conversation I had with my late father regarding the Toyota Camry I was driving some 13 years ago. He chided me for driving a "foreign" car while he boasted about his "American" car, Buick Century. When I showed him the window stickers from each car that had domestic content and my Camry had more than his Century, not to mention that my car was assembled in Kentucky while his was assembled in Canada, he was quiet.

I remember reading a while back that Toyota employs more Americans than Ford. Not sure how accurate that is and if includes suppliers or just at manufacturing plants but like it or not, having foreign manufacturers here have benefited many Americans.

[Agent G]

I remember that we argued with management when the decision to purchase Harleys was announced because "they're American made". We wanted more Kawasaki's which at that time, were built in what I remember as Torrance, California.

Ain't never gonna drive foreign cars in an American police department. Yeah.....our Fords were assembled in Canada and had maple leaf flag decals on the rear windows when delivered. The Chevrolets had parts from across the globe, primarily Mexico.

It is truly a global workplace.

I'm thinking Tesla S.

G

[Fabrux]

Both of my GMCs are Canadian-made, suits me fine.

[1930fordpickup]

If you are going to keep it long term think about what you may want to work on later.

[Lunajammer]

My PT Cruiser, like all PTs, was built in Mexico. Even if you say it depends on what country of origin the profits are going still won't clarify anything. If Toyota is creating 10-Thousand-plus American jobs, why boycott them? Should I not buy Chrysler because the PT's a Mexican car? People who are brand loyal because it's an "American" car are only proclaiming their own ignorance.

[Quick GMC]

The F-150 is the most American, domestic brand vehicle. More of it is made and assembled here than any other domestic brand.

[Foxer]

I like that all cars are global now ... buying a car because of country of origin is like buying an Apple product because it sounds like a fruit.

[espo]

Really like your '09 Jeep JK. But it still has some parts from over there. The '10 Charger was built in Canada and has a maple leaf on every part you can see. My wife's new '14 Dodge Avenger was assembled in Sterling Heights Mi, with an engine built in Mexico. 76% U.S./Canadian parts content according to the window sticker. You have to remember that the old Chrysler Corp. is now a part of Fiat of France. All very confusing.

[Ace-Garageguy]

You have to remember that the old Chrysler Corp. is now a part of Fiat of France. All very confusing.

And in my ignorance, I always thought Fiat was an Italian company...

[GeeBee]

You have to remember that the old Chrysler Corp. is now a part of Fiat of France. All very confusing.

Really ? when did that happen, your correct it's all very confusing, Fiat is Italian ....Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino

[Tom Geiger]

Back in the day, my wife's sister, brother and us had all just bought new cars. As we looked at them all in the driveway at a family event, my brother in law scolded me that he'd never buy an American car, since I had bought a Dodge Grand Caravan. I replied that his Honda and my sister in law's Camry were American cars... but my Caravan was Canadian! Neither of them believed me, both thinking their cars were made in Japan.

Even further back, spring of 1992 my company credit union advertised car loan rates 1% cheaper for American cars. I was buying my Geo Tracker and they said it was Japanese and didn't qualify. So I asked about my Dodge Caravan, yes they'd give the discount on that one! So I told them that both cars were built in Canada... they gave up and gave me the discount!

And it is a world market. My company colleague in China is proud to drive a Buick Century. I asked my French colleague if he had a Peugeot, a Citroen or Renault.... he replied "Toyota".

Still, we'll be seeing both my wife's siblings tomorrow. I'm sure one of them will make a remark about my Buick. Funny thing, I never considered a foreign make this time around... my short list was Buick LaCrosse or Chrysler 300.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Tom Geiger

[Erik Smith]

7 of the top 10 "most American cars" are Toyota and Honda.

If one side of an argument is based on complete ignorance, is it still a debate?

[Mike_G]

My 3 Fords were built in Germany.

[Ace-Garageguy]

If one side of an argument is based on complete ignorance, is it still a debate?

Interesting question in semantics.

In-depth knowledge of a subject, especially first-hand knowledge, has never been a prerequisite to folks having strong opinions on the subject, and arguing about them with much energy.

Oh oh. Now I'm probably going to be labeled "anti-semantic".

[Mike_G]

Oh oh. Now I'm probably going to be labeled "anti-semantic".

[slusher]

Its just best to drive what you like and feel comfortable in. Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, VW,Toyota, and Honda are made in America. We have to drive something why not be happy.

[Guest]

Its just best to drive what you like and feel comfortable in. Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, VW,Toyota, and Honda are made in America. We have to drive something why not be happy.

Made here, yes, but no car is made of parts only made here any more, thus no car is truly American made any more.

[drummerdad]

Almost everything made(especially the more complex it is), is built globally. I work for Bell helicopter. Its an American company. But the helicopters are mostly built in Canada. Why? Money. The large American corporations get tax breaks and cheaper labor from other countries. And the foreign companies get the same breaks from the US. I searched for an aluminum casting company to mass produce a product for me(not in the model industry). Most American companies wouldn't even return my emails, because of volume deficiencies. And when they did, the cost was ten times the quotes from overseas.

There are no more American only companies, except small businesses. They only have to produce a certain percentage of a product in the US, to qualify as an American company. Even HD has a few overseas parts and processes, I'm sure.

Personally, I prefer an American car because that's what I like. Big, rear wheel drive,V8 engine...I don't want an import. Never had one I liked. I do own a Ducati, but I think if I could buy an italian car, it would be an import I could live with.

Just my .02.