Why don't Americans support their country and buy American vehicles?
Posted on Jan 09, 2009 under volkswagen auto parts | 9 CommentsWe know that American vehicles are now as good as the Japanese cars, and better than most European cars. We also know that Volkswagen supported the Germans during World War II, and that Honda and Toyota supported the Japanese after the Pearl Harbor attacks. The American auto companies took a risk to help our country and convert their factories, knowing there was no guarantee that they'd be paid back after they bailed out the country. American cars tend to have more style than their Asian counterparts, and American vehicles use twice as much domestic parts and labor, plus they build more of their vehicles here. They cost the same, and frequently less for small cars, and help the economy so much more. It was the American autoworker that fought for better working conditions and health care.
Why then do Americans put all of this aside and buy foreign cars?
There are several problems with your argument. First, a little history. While both Volkswagen and Toyota did produce vehicles for Germany and Japan, respectively, during the war, Honda was not even founded until 1948, three years after the war. But more to the point, why should Americans not buy Toyotas and Volkswagens because, sixty years ago, those companies produced vehicles for their home countries during World War II?
Further, the American auto companies did not "[take] a risk" by converting their factories to wartime production. They didn't have to wait to be "paid back," and they didn't "[bail] out the country." They made a fortune producing vehicles, such as tanks, trucks, and jeeps, by the tens of thousands, not only for American armies, but for the British, French, and Soviets, too.
As to whether or not American cars have more "style," that is strictly a matter of opinion. While it is true that the first Hondas and Toyotas imported to the US back in the 70s after the oil crisis tended to be rather boxy and unattractive, that has not been the case for some time.
Also, as someone else here pointed out, a lot of the German and Japanese cars sold in America are actually built in America, too, providing jobs for hundreds of thousands of people. So buying Hondas and Toyotas supports American industry just as much as buying Ford, Chrysler, or GM.
Finally, rightly or wrongly, many Americans perceive German and Japanese cars as being more reliable and fuel-efficient than their American counterparts. When Americans began demanding more reliable cars, and particularly more fuel-efficient ones, years ago, the American car companies have no one but themselves to blame for resisting that trend until their German and Japanese rivals had captured a hefty chunk of the American market.
The real problem, and here we must return to the history lesson with which I began, stems from the fact that the US was the only industrial power to emerge from World War II unscathed. All of the rest, especially Germany and Japan, had been devasted, most of them physically, but all of them economically. It took thirty years or more after the war for any of these countries, principally Germany and Japan, to even begin to challenge American economic dominance. In the interim, American companies grew fat and lazy. So when the economic picture began to change in the 70s and early 80s, American companies were caught napping. If the Big 3 were to come out with cars that were at least as reliable, and more fuel-efficient, than the Germans and Japanese, which they could do if they put their minds to it, then Americans would return to them in droves. Until then Americans, being the practical people that they are, will continue to buy the cars that they think provide the best performance.
By Zorak on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
American cars like the Hondas i help build in Ohio?
Actually i drive a Mustang so i guess i do.
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By sheloves_dablues on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
American made cars are NOT as good as most Japanese or European made cars.
As you stated, American made cars use twice as much labour and parts. Duh… It's hard to get excited about paying for a "disposable" car at $35,000, knowing that the CEO of the company will make millions in bonuses. I'd rather buy a well made car that is going to last, and know that what I'm paying for the car is mostly the cost of the car.
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By Trav on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
I don't know. I don't think foreign cars are better. I am a ford guy. I have a 2003 mustang and I love it. I have well over 100,000 miles and haven't had to do anything at all to it. Just oil changes and that is it. You will never see me buy a foreign car. People are buying foreign cars for the fuel mileage, not for the relablity. Ask 100 people why they buy a toyota. All of them will say 2 words. fuel mileage. I'll stick with my mustang over a smart car or toyota anyday.
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By ridge63 on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
For the same reason that Wal-Mart's parking lot is always full. They think they are getting a better deal buying the foreign brand.
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By dad on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
Think about it . Is there really that many real americans in the states . We have so many foreigners here its unreal that are doing our jobs . Arabs own all the gas stations and party store they hire there relatives . Mexicans own all out side work brick laying landscaping anything that takes crews of people and they hire all relatives and so on . The real american kind of got pushed out of the way . I live in detroit and my daughter cant get a job at a restaurant or retail store because she don't speak mexican . Not many real americans working today
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By dipper on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
Can you define a American made car?
The industry is complicated to the consumer.
American Automobile Labeling Act in 1992
Not many people realize that the parts is what keeps the jobs here.
So read the label that was required since 1992.
The car must be at least 75% or more American made to be considered domestic. Which is a federal standard.
As far as who supported what….is mote
I can also argue that miners did and do the same even today fight for better working conditions and health care as well as american families who have had service members injured on the job..
References :
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=435010
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/12/american.cars/
By Jeffrey S on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
There are several problems with your argument. First, a little history. While both Volkswagen and Toyota did produce vehicles for Germany and Japan, respectively, during the war, Honda was not even founded until 1948, three years after the war. But more to the point, why should Americans not buy Toyotas and Volkswagens because, sixty years ago, those companies produced vehicles for their home countries during World War II?
Further, the American auto companies did not "[take] a risk" by converting their factories to wartime production. They didn't have to wait to be "paid back," and they didn't "[bail] out the country." They made a fortune producing vehicles, such as tanks, trucks, and jeeps, by the tens of thousands, not only for American armies, but for the British, French, and Soviets, too.
As to whether or not American cars have more "style," that is strictly a matter of opinion. While it is true that the first Hondas and Toyotas imported to the US back in the 70s after the oil crisis tended to be rather boxy and unattractive, that has not been the case for some time.
Also, as someone else here pointed out, a lot of the German and Japanese cars sold in America are actually built in America, too, providing jobs for hundreds of thousands of people. So buying Hondas and Toyotas supports American industry just as much as buying Ford, Chrysler, or GM.
Finally, rightly or wrongly, many Americans perceive German and Japanese cars as being more reliable and fuel-efficient than their American counterparts. When Americans began demanding more reliable cars, and particularly more fuel-efficient ones, years ago, the American car companies have no one but themselves to blame for resisting that trend until their German and Japanese rivals had captured a hefty chunk of the American market.
The real problem, and here we must return to the history lesson with which I began, stems from the fact that the US was the only industrial power to emerge from World War II unscathed. All of the rest, especially Germany and Japan, had been devasted, most of them physically, but all of them economically. It took thirty years or more after the war for any of these countries, principally Germany and Japan, to even begin to challenge American economic dominance. In the interim, American companies grew fat and lazy. So when the economic picture began to change in the 70s and early 80s, American companies were caught napping. If the Big 3 were to come out with cars that were at least as reliable, and more fuel-efficient, than the Germans and Japanese, which they could do if they put their minds to it, then Americans would return to them in droves. Until then Americans, being the practical people that they are, will continue to buy the cars that they think provide the best performance.
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More than forty years of studying history, particularly military history.
By Matt on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
Many foreign cars are cheaper, get better fuel economy, and are built in America. Just because a company is based in Europe or Japan, it can still build the cars in America. Americans are going to continue to buy what works the best for the least price. Until American cars get better or cheaper, American cars will remain unsold.
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By abby on Jan 9, 2009 | Reply
We have always been a Ford family and to tell you the truth I now drive a Toyota and the reason is to put it bluntly is that the Fords that I have seen are a piece of S### and until they build a vehicle that a working family can use (we are in the oilfields business) my husbands Company will keep the older trucks (back when Ford still cared about their customer's )and have them fixed instead of buying new ones that doesn't last even long enough to get them paid off.I hate my Toyota but as least it still runs and without problems.
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