Foreign? Domestic? How do you tell?

Mark Karlin, the editor of BuzzFlash, asks the burning question:

Why the Editor of BuzzFlash Just Bought an American Car. Shouldn't You?

He bought a Ford Focus because a) it's the patriotic thing to do in his view, and b) because they're in so much trouble they damn near gave him the damn thing! You can go read.

I left him this comment and will go back later to watch myself get torn to shreds by other commenters...

American Iron
Submitted by Gordon on Mon, 02/02/2009 - 2:36pm.

We bought a new American pickup three years ago. a Toyota Tacoma, assembled in Fremont, California in a former GM assembly plant that was moved to China. GM appears to be doing quite well everywhere in the world besides here, and I hope the Chinese are all sportin' around in Corvairs and Vegas.

As previous commenters have noted, the parts for almost all makes are world-sourced, including those for that most iconic of American brands, Harley-Davidson. If the U.S. had a 'domestic content' law like some countries do, your Focus would have cost you twice as much, at a guess.

It's fine if you want to support Ford, but would you have bought it if they weren't in so much trouble that they made you such a smokin' deal?

Naturally, I wish you the best of luck with your new car, but no matter where a car is made, the folks who keep 'em runnin' throughout their service lives (and beyond, sometimes. Heh.) at the dealerships, independent repair shops, parts stores, tire, muffler, and, heaven should only forbid, body shops, etc. are all Americans trying to earn a living. (Damn! I fergot ta mention wreckin' yards and Pick-n-Pull! - G)

The best vehicle I ever owned in terms of reliability and low cost of ownership was a Chevy LUV 4x4, made in Japan by Isuzu. I bought it brand new and it never saw the inside of a repair shop for the 21 years and 147,000 miles that I owned it and I think it's still running around down in Arizona somewhere. Great American brand, that Chevrolet! (wink)

Here's the definitive advice on buying a new car or truck: Buy whatever you like that you can afford. You don't owe any auto manufacturer, foreign, domestic, or in-between, a damn thing.