Maid in Japan

by the Pirate on December 28, 2006

We’re buying more Japanese cars than domestic ones these days in the Golden State. Apparently, one of the factors involved is a change in fleet sales, but still . . .

People who want us to buy American should get American manufacturers to make better cars. Ford is doing better, but GM’s taken a big dive in the past 6-8 years. Not that I’m bitter because my love affair with Saturn went sour, mind you.

{ 8 comments }

Anne December 29, 2006 at 7:35 am

GM is doing a heck of a lot better than Ford. Compare actual sales figures for each quarter in the last year, as well as GM’s extremely competitive new products being launched. Not sure what caused your Saturn love affair to go sour, but have you seen the new Saturn Sky? Wow that thing is HOT. I loved my Saturn until I totaled it, and I love my Grand Prix now. Sorry, Ford, but GM has the “Way Forward”.

david foster December 29, 2006 at 8:33 am

I think GM chickened out when they dropped the idea of Saturn as a separate business unit and integrated it in with all the rest of their stuff. It’s always easy to come up with “economies of scale”; the diseconomies of scale are usually ignored until it’s too late.

david foster December 29, 2006 at 8:36 am

Also, of course, “Japanese brand” does not necessarily mean “made in Japan,” given that Toyota and Honda both have multiple assembly plants in the US…

bob handwerk December 29, 2006 at 1:34 pm

As regards ” Made in Japan”– it’s interesting the percentage of components in a “Made in USA” car is less than 50% American

Attila Girl December 29, 2006 at 1:44 pm

Go back to the original article: the distinction is becoming ever-more-cosmetic by the year.

Bill December 29, 2006 at 2:10 pm

I drive a good old fashioned, red blooded, patriotic, all American Toyota Corolla. And I will as long as the UAW runs the Detroit companies.

CGHill December 30, 2006 at 9:25 am

Most reliable car I ever had was a Mazda 626, despite its Japanese nameplate built in Flat Rock, Michigan by a UAW crew from 65 percent domestic components. Nothing on it failed in six years; I’d have it today were it not for a marauding deer on an Oklahoma backroad.

Attila Girl December 30, 2006 at 11:18 am

I hate those marauding deer: ONe worked my Saturn over pretty good several years ago. On a FREEWAY.

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