How come over 50% of Americans drive/own Foreign cars?

Question

Source: UAW workers told me this morning and they are very unhappy about it. ( Told to me at Wixom Michigan near the Ford plant that closed and 4,000 American workers lost their jobs) The UAW workers are angry everytime they see an American driving a foreign car. Why are they so angry?

Answer 1

Foreign cars are more reliable and American cars seem to have engine failure, etc.

Answer 2

First, 'foreign' doesn't mean what it used to. Many Toyotas, Hondas, etc, are actually manufactured in the USA, and many 'American' cars are made over-seas. When Ford or GMC say, "Buy American", it is a marketing campaign, not a reality.

The main reason is that US companies have a reputation of being slow to react to trends, complacent, and unreliable. This reputation started back in the 70s and 80s when a lot of Japanese and European car models came out that were more reliable, less expensive, got better gas mileage, and more in line with the social trends of the time than most American cars. For example, when the fuel crisis hit in '76 most American cars were still gas guzzlers, while most foreign cars got better gas mileage. Once American car companies got that reputation... it stuck. I remember seeing an interview with Lee Iaccoca where he noted that a Japanese car sold better than the exact same American car, made in the exact same factory; the only difference between the two cars was the make/mode on the name plate (see my note above about what is 'foreign').

Personally, I think the UAW needs to worry more about off-shore our-sourcing than what cars Americans are buying.

Answer 3

Well, actually the largest problems the domestic brands face is the UAW. The Japanese pay significantly less for labor costs and don't have anywhere near the pension plans or insurance costs the Detroit brands do. So American companies can't produce competitive products in the same price range because they are automatically set to make less money per vehicle because of all these costs.
But to say that japanese cars, and trucks are better... it depends. trucks no way. They are just gimmicks. quality? not so much... Toyota has been having a huge amount of quality control problems, unfortunately the media doesnt cover that. And dont forget it is General Motors that is leading the way in alternative energy: hydrogen, ethanol, natural gas, and electric.

Answer 4

Make sure that you define 'foreign'.

Many Nissan's are made in Tennessee, Honda's are made in California, and Fords are made in Mexico.

Just like our country, our cars are made/assembled all over the word.

They are angry because they lost their jobs, and placing blame is a easy way to go. It is all about the money these days, so large companies will do what they need to, in order to make even more money for the higher-ups.

Answer 5

Foreign cars are made better and hold their value. American manufacturer's are really feeling the pinch now becuase their sales are down astronomically. If they would get it together and get in the game plan with the foreign car manufacturers, they would see sales increase. Until then, American cars will continue to get a bad rap.

Answer 6

Quit making crappy low end cars and it will reverse the trend.
Detroit makes nice expensive models but they make the lamest low end cars.

Answer 7

Reason is simple, cars and trucks from makers like Toyota are better in mechanical quality and more fuel efficient.

Answer 8

If we want to be sensible and save $ on fuel and maintenance, we have to buy foreign vehicles since our manufacturers haven't jumped on the band wagon and produced a comparable product yet...but we will soon!

Answer 9

The last longer and have better resale value.
Sounds simple, but that sums it all up from my perspective.

Answer 10

Toyota,Honda,Mitsubishi,-------FROM THE PEOPLE THAT BROUGHT YOU PEARL HARBOR. I doubt that many of your grandfathers were in WWII.