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As some here already know, I recently bought a car. Many variables weighed into the decision, with Reliability and practical family use as the top variables.
Fuel economy and origin were also thoughts. We wanted to "buy American" but in the end bought Honda.
Our Honda was made in Alabama. So the car is ultimately made in the USA.
Thoughts?
buying american these days doesn't mean the same it did way back when. back in a college economic class around '01 we were actually forced to research a few companies that were considered "american" just to see where the moeny we'd be spending would go. i was surprised to see that the best way to buy "american" and keep money in the local economy was to buy a honda as well. it schocked me to see where the money was actually going. i always buy used cars and i generally don't buy from a dealer. each car/ truck i've bought was always from a private seller. that money, since i the folks i bought from lived in the city, turned around and got spent in the area. don't think there's one solid plan on how to make sure money spent stays in the community, state or country though.
Honestly, I do not put stock in buying American because what is made in America is generally crap these days and most of the "American" products are using forign sources labor or components so I buy European if I can help it on all fronts. Usually a better quality depending on what product is coming from where anyway.
My '98 Civic was made in America, by American workers that have American families to support. It just rolled to 160,000 miles, and runs like new because I paid attention to the maintenance. Somehow, I have a feeling that even with that ethic I would not have made it this far with an "American" car such as the Ford Taurus, which I think I read was built either in Mexico or Canada. So that's what I tell people who tell me I drive a foreign car.
I used to own an '88 Buick Skyhawk, typical 80's GM piece of crap. I haven't seen one of those in years. Meanwhile, there are plenty of '88 Civics still running the roads. Maybe the newer "American"- branded cars are better constructed, but it will be a few years before we can tell for sure.
The "Made in USA" label has to do with the profits go or where the company is located...Quote:
Originally Posted by mirrodie
Your Honda car was designed by a company based in Japan, so, while American hands may have built part of the car, the profits return to the home country Japan....
Now there is nothing wrong with it, I own two Japanese cars....
John Smith started the day early having set his alarm clock
(MADE IN JAPAN )for 6 am
While his coffeepot (MADE IN CHINA)was perking, he shaved with his electric razor (MADE IN HONG KONG) He put on a dress shirt (MADE IN SRI LANKA), designer jeans (MADE IN SINGAPORE)and tennis shoes (MADE IN KOREA) After cooking his breakfast in his new electric skillet (MADE IN INDIA) he sat down with his calculator (MADE IN MEXICO) to see how much he could spend today. After setting his watch (MADE IN TAIWAN ) to the radio (MADE IN INDIA ) he got in his car (MADE IN GERMANY ) filled it with GAS (from Saudi Arabia )
and continued his search for a good paying AMERICAN JOB. At the end of yet another discouraging and fruitless day checking his Computer(made in MALAYSIA ), John decided to relax for a while. He put on his sandals (MADE IN BRAZIL),
poured himself a glass of wine (MADE IN FRANCE) and turned on his TV (MADE IN INDONESIA), and then wondered why he can't find a good paying job in AMERICA
AND NOW HE'S HOPING HE CAN GET HELP FROM A PRESIDENT (MADE IN KENYA).