The majority of the parts made in America for the Asian assembly plants are produced by Asian owned operations...based close to the wherever the final assembly is done..
Having spent a couple years in the mid-eighties running the sales for an Asian operation based in Battle Creek, Mich, I can say there was an desperate rush by all Asian based suppliers to establish stateside supply plants..It was all part of the agreement that assembled cars had to have 75% domestic content..The domestic content of an Asian car is much higher that the Big3..
Having quit the business in early 2002 due to my wife's health much has happened to the supplier base to the Detroit auto plants..Out of my 3 main sources of income, one was sold to an India manufacturer, one went belly-up, and the third one almost doubled in size..I didn't waste too much time calling on Toyota or Honda for they were cheap and loved to hold meetings, and supplier plant visits..
Since I golfed 4-5 times a week up north in the spring and summer, and spent 1/2 of 4 mos in Fla during the winter, my schedule was tight..I did get involved with a division of a large Asian transplant on a forged aluminum part used in auto a/c compressors, 10 mos of meetings and no business..
I have always gone with all Big3 products mainly GM, few Fords, and couple Chrysler cars, however the transplants hold the edge in domestic production..I love to chase the used market for it's too easy to buy new, been there too much in my long life..One can always dump a good used car if a problem arises, and all are usually still under warranty for I go for the under 10k miles..Lots of Mustang GTs around to barter on..Buying a car is like buying a boat..Great day when you buy it and a better day when you sell it..
Long live the "Big3" or maybe the "Big2" is whats left??? Fiat, UAW, and Canada as owners???
Having had the opportunity in the late 80's to visit a Transplant Asian car company. I saw things most people would not see. I saw most of the higher paid jobs, engineers, techs, managers ect.. were not Americans. They had "temporary" work visas to work and stay here in the U.S. Also, the vehicles were "assembled" here in the U.S. Many of the parts were shipped in from overseas. Americans were the labor only. Someone mentioned parts suppliers. Dig a bit on the internet and do some home work. Many of the suppliers are mere transplants themselves. As some of you may preach buy a Honda or Toyota or even now a BMW or Kia they are made in America. Dig a bit deeper and you may be surprised just what you may find. You may not like what you find. My whole point here is more than just cars. Buying U.S. made goods and services strengthens America, Americans, our communities, cities, states ect.. Your purchase means more than you think in the survival, the viability of these United States.
I see the same thing in Philly with Hyundai-Rotem building railcars for SEPTA, the regional transit authority. These railcars are built by low-paid, unskilled American labor while all the managers and engineers are Korean. These Hyundai-Rotem railcars are plagued with defects. These crappy cars are supposed to replace the excellent 1960s-era Budd Silverliner cars that were designed, engineered, and built in Philadelphia by the finest craftsmen of railcars on the planet. Sad, that the Northeast Philadelphia Budd plant is now the site of a golf course for the crooked 1% and the Hunting Park Avenue plant in North Philly's Nicetown section is a gigantic empty pigeon loft! :mad:
"In January, Detroit's Big Three automakers said they oppose allowing Japan to enter free trade talks with the United States and nine other countries, but are open to allowing Mexico and Canada to take part.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue said this month that all three countries should be allowed into the talks but that "there needs to be continued pressure for Japan to open its market" to autos."
That article lacks substance. I read it and have more questions than answers. Why did Hyundai withdraw? What are the tax rates for imports in to Japan? Too bad because it's an interesting topic, but the author didn't do enough research.
Indeed, with narrow roads most American cars are simply not suitable for volume sales niches.
That's why the JDM Camry, Accord, Mazda6, and Galant are all smaller and more narrow. I can't imagine they'd sell a lot of Malibus or Fusions or even Darts. All too big.
Suzuki Wagon R was a best seller for ages, now it's the Fit I think. Look how small those are.
Problem is, US makers don't build their small cars in the US to begin with. Spark will be made in Korea. Dodge doesn't even have a truly small car, they import Fiats from Mexico, I think. Isn't the Fiesta also Mexican built? What small cars are built in the US? And they'd have to add power folding mirrors to squeeze in to Tokyo parking spots, while we're at it.
Reminds me of the time President Bush Sr basically puked on the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister. He's asking for them to buy more American made cars and Miyazawa's response was basically "it would be hard".
Add the communications barrier...to Bush that meant OK, let's do it. To Miyazawa that meant dream on, Yankee.
Sonic is built in Michigan. Cruze is built in Ohio. Not sure about Fiesta, but I believe the Focus is built in the U.S. The Fusion (larger) is built in Mexico--ugh.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Sonic was designed in Korea, and is also built there (and Michigan).
If Chevy were going to sell a Sonic in Japan, they would most likely ship them from Korea, not from the USA. I bet all the ones made here are left hand drive anyway.
Spark will only be made in Korea.
Cruze is too big to do volume. Even the Cavalier was too big, they even badged them as Toyotas and they would not sell.
So I don't see GM exporting any US-built cars to Japan any time soon.
Fiesta is made in every country except the USA, it seems.
They do build the Focus in Wayne, Michigan. But Ford would be better off sending ones built in the Philippines, Russia, or Vietnam, since they're all a lot closer.
Japan is also sensitive to build quality, so one might want to be careful about where cars are sourced.
No matter, I don't see much of what is made here that would appeal there, based on space alone. Of course, there have been weird cults there like people who are into Astro vans and old Ram vans, but I don't see any Japanese consumers lining up for a Chrysler 200 or similar.
200 would be sale-proof in Japan. I can say that, dad owns one. They look and feel huge.
I wonder if the Dart is going to make the 200 and Avenger a bit redundant? The Dart's supposed to be a compact and the 200/Avenger a midsize, but from some of the specs I've seen, they seem pretty close in size.
The new Dart is 72" wide, so needless to say, it's gonna be too big for the Japanese market, as well. I think the 200/Avenger are 72.5" wide.
Just remember, there is a huge difference between "Built" and "Assembled". The Fusion is "Assembled" in Mexico. A good chunk of the parts are from the USA. Some even come from Japan. The Focus is mostly USA. However, there are parts that do come from Europe because it is a Euro based design. The Fiesta is all over the place. European parts, Korean, Japanese mostly. I believe very few parts of the Fiesta are USA made.
Tip o' the hat to the D-Day generation, 68 years ago today...those who died and those who survive today, fighting the Germans. I recall reading someplace that it was the biggest invasion in history. 2,499 Americans killed on D-Day.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Enough can't be said about what that generation endured and sacrificed. Also interesting to see the reality of 2012:
Germany is once again the juggernaut of Europe, virtual economic domination. Whether in engineering or literal ownership, Germany has overtaken the British auto industry, and there is very little British about it anymore. France kisses butt eastward to keep the machine moving. Germany also put the American high end segment on its head about 35 years ago, hasn't been the same since. You can even get a Buick built in Germany, and we can't forget the Chrysler and Catera fiascoes.
Nowadays I expect overstyled front features from cars of some origins :shades:
Of course they will sell, huge fleet queen for a few years too, and if some of the deals I have seen continue - cheapo leases and sub-18K pricing for base cars, the sky is the limit.
When the light clusters touch the A-pillar and the grille is some weird mix of an hourglass and the maw of a creature from "Aliens", get back to me :shades:
That concept isn't exactly elegant, but it doesn't have the desperate for something different overstyling some are using.
I kinda like that Mercedes concept. The front-end reminds me of the old 280 SLs from the front-end, just with the headlight cluster more horizontal than vertical. It still has a strong Mercedes resemblance to it. Although, I gotta admit, the more I look at it, I think if you took off the Benz logo and made the horizontal grille divider really thick, it could bear a passing resemblance to a Malibu! :P
The new Altima really doesn't do anything for me. It looks taller, chunkier, and more ungainly than its predecessor, IMO. The front-end looks a bit generic to me, a bit Lexus/Toyota/Hyundai-ish. And the whole C-pillar area just seems a bit jumbled to me.
But, at the same time, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it if I were shopping for a new car. I'd at least give it a once-over to see how I like it, and how it compares to other cars. But, it just doesn't excite me anymore. I still remember when the '02 Altima first came out, I liked it so much, I considered trading my Intrepid in on one. And when the '07 restyle came out, I thought it was a nice update. But with this '13, it's like, whatever.
The 02 Altima was really a head-turner when it came out, especially compared to the unremarkable invisible car it replaced. It seems harder and harder to have such a dramatic change like that these days - seems when you do it, it is overdone (Sonata), although the upcoming Fusion could be easy on the eyes.
The new Nissan front end style, seen on Infiniti, is very much like what Lexus is going after. It's a reactionary move against criticism for blandness.
The '02 had the longest wheelbase. They downsized it for '07.
You like big cars, right? Makes sense, then.
Yeah, but the cars are still close enough that visually, I don't see much difference. It's just that the '02 seemed so radical when it came out. It pretty much launched the horsepower wars among lower priced cars, with Honda, Toyota, and everyone else upping the ante. But when the '07 came out, it was more evolution than revolution.
As I recall, the '02-06 Altima did have a higher seating position and lower beltline, so it didn't seem as claustrophobic. But, all cars have higher beltlines these days, so I can't blame that one on Nissan. Both cars fit me fine up front, but the '07+ is definitely tighter in back, and lost about one cubic foot of trunk space.
Sycophant designers. Just because more than one does it doesn't mean it is good. Look how many aped Bangle, just because.
Well styling is subjective. Personally, I liked the Bangle designs. Suprisingly even though there was an uproar in the non buying enthusiast crowd, sales improved during the flame surfacing era.
Then again, I loved Art & Science right from the start. And after only 18 months I'm over the current Hyundai look.
IMO, sales improved because of a false economic boom and a new wave of easy financing. The E60 is the most offensive to my eyes, and the period 6/7 have some bad angles too.
Art and Science was better in the facelift IMO, the second CTS wears it much better, with nicer materials too.
Speaking of false economies, I saw somewhere that the average American families' net worth went down by 40% since the beginning of the depression. Minorities have it even worse with a 53% decline. I pity the fool who used his home as an ATM during the Housing Bubble.
>fool who used his home as an ATM during the Housing Bubble.
Fool? Some of them are making out like bandits with the rest of us having paid the costs to subsidize their home loss or repossession and the rest of us going to pay.
The only thing we're not doing is buying cars for folks. But we're close with the subsidies through the years on toyotas and hybrids.
SIA used to build Rodeos and Subarus. Then Isuzu went belly up, and they tried making the Tribeca there on line #2, but it never caught on, so they started making Camrys.
That back-fired because Subaru sales picked up, so now Subaru is considering a 2nd plant.
I thought they would kick Toyota out and just use the 2nd line. We'll see.
With the Yen so strong it hurts the bottom line that they make all Imprezas and Foresters in Japan. They should make those here, especially the popular Forester, since the US is its best market.
"The US Trade Representative Office has officially asked President Obama to consider taking action against what they say is "a flood of auto parts imports from China."
"We are looking at a variety of issues in the bilateral relationship, including, I would say, in the auto sector," Tim Reif, General Counsel at the USTR told reporters today."
I don't really buy all that. The high net worth numbers were lies to begin with, a mirage. When it evaporates, do you really lose something you never had? The only people who truly believed they had this money are people who don't grasp economics. AKA, the average American.
I pity the fool who used emotion over logic to buy a house during the boom, who trusted the mortgage broker and the media hype, who likely willingly lied about their income to qualify, etc...and then came the HELOCs to buy SUVs and Harleys and poorly made watercraft. These people should have their incomes garnished for eons.
On the plus side, it did help with the sales of high profit margin American made trucks and bloated relatives.
Comments
Having spent a couple years in the mid-eighties running the sales for an Asian operation based in Battle Creek, Mich, I can say there was an desperate rush by all Asian based suppliers to establish stateside supply plants..It was all part of the agreement that assembled cars had to have 75% domestic content..The domestic content of an Asian car is much higher that the Big3..
Having quit the business in early 2002 due to my wife's health much has happened to the supplier base to the Detroit auto plants..Out of my 3 main sources of income, one was sold to an India manufacturer, one went belly-up, and the third one almost doubled in size..I didn't waste too much time calling on Toyota or Honda for they were cheap and loved to hold meetings, and supplier plant visits..
Since I golfed 4-5 times a week up north in the spring and summer, and spent 1/2 of 4 mos in Fla during the winter, my schedule was tight..I did get involved with a division of a large Asian transplant on a forged aluminum part used in auto a/c compressors, 10 mos of meetings and no business..
I have always gone with all Big3 products mainly GM, few Fords, and couple Chrysler cars, however the transplants hold the edge in domestic production..I love to chase the used market for it's too easy to buy new, been there too much in my long life..One can always dump a good used car if a problem arises, and all are usually still under warranty for I go for the under 10k miles..Lots of Mustang GTs around to barter on..Buying a car is like buying a boat..Great day when you buy it and a better day when you sell it..
Long live the "Big3" or maybe the "Big2" is whats left??? Fiat, UAW, and Canada as owners???
Someone mentioned parts suppliers. Dig a bit on the internet and do some home work. Many of the suppliers are mere transplants themselves.
As some of you may preach buy a Honda or Toyota or even now a BMW or Kia they are made in America. Dig a bit deeper and you may be surprised just what you may find. You may not like what you find.
My whole point here is more than just cars. Buying U.S. made goods and services strengthens America, Americans, our communities, cities, states ect..
Your purchase means more than you think in the survival, the viability of these United States.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue said this month that all three countries should be allowed into the talks but that "there needs to be continued pressure for Japan to open its market" to autos."
Ford puts free trade on agenda (Detroit News)
From what I know, higher end Euro models sell there without much pain.
That's why the JDM Camry, Accord, Mazda6, and Galant are all smaller and more narrow. I can't imagine they'd sell a lot of Malibus or Fusions or even Darts. All too big.
Suzuki Wagon R was a best seller for ages, now it's the Fit I think. Look how small those are.
Problem is, US makers don't build their small cars in the US to begin with. Spark will be made in Korea. Dodge doesn't even have a truly small car, they import Fiats from Mexico, I think. Isn't the Fiesta also Mexican built? What small cars are built in the US? And they'd have to add power folding mirrors to squeeze in to Tokyo parking spots, while we're at it.
Reminds me of the time President Bush Sr basically puked on the lap of the Japanese Prime Minister. He's asking for them to buy more American made cars and Miyazawa's response was basically "it would be hard".
Add the communications barrier...to Bush that meant OK, let's do it. To Miyazawa that meant dream on, Yankee.
If Chevy were going to sell a Sonic in Japan, they would most likely ship them from Korea, not from the USA. I bet all the ones made here are left hand drive anyway.
Spark will only be made in Korea.
Cruze is too big to do volume. Even the Cavalier was too big, they even badged them as Toyotas and they would not sell.
So I don't see GM exporting any US-built cars to Japan any time soon.
Ford....let's see.
This is interesting:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_factories
Fiesta is made in every country except the USA, it seems.
They do build the Focus in Wayne, Michigan. But Ford would be better off sending ones built in the Philippines, Russia, or Vietnam, since they're all a lot closer.
No matter, I don't see much of what is made here that would appeal there, based on space alone. Of course, there have been weird cults there like people who are into Astro vans and old Ram vans, but I don't see any Japanese consumers lining up for a Chrysler 200 or similar.
200 would be sale-proof in Japan. I can say that, dad owns one. They look and feel huge.
I wonder if the Dart is going to make the 200 and Avenger a bit redundant? The Dart's supposed to be a compact and the 200/Avenger a midsize, but from some of the specs I've seen, they seem pretty close in size.
The new Dart is 72" wide, so needless to say, it's gonna be too big for the Japanese market, as well. I think the 200/Avenger are 72.5" wide.
Not sure if they can stuff the Pentastar in the Dart SRT- ... 6?
But they have all sorts of engine options, so yeah.
This autoblog post gives us an idea of how narrow some paths can be:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/31/toyota-uses-iq-minicar-to-help-improve-google- -street-view/
http://www.torontosun.com/2012/05/31/gm-to-shut-an-oshawa-line-report
Meaning all 'nox will be built in the USA now.
Germany is once again the juggernaut of Europe, virtual economic domination. Whether in engineering or literal ownership, Germany has overtaken the British auto industry, and there is very little British about it anymore. France kisses butt eastward to keep the machine moving. Germany also put the American high end segment on its head about 35 years ago, hasn't been the same since. You can even get a Buick built in Germany, and we can't forget the Chrysler and Catera fiascoes.
And I won't even touch on Japan.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57448571/they-dont-forget-normandy-still-h- - onors-american-wwii-pilots-sacrifice/
Looks good
They'll sell a ton of these. I bet it takes over the #2 spot, after Camry, for best selling car.
Of course they will sell, huge fleet queen for a few years too, and if some of the deals I have seen continue - cheapo leases and sub-18K pricing for base cars, the sky is the limit.
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/21/mercedes-benz-concept-style-coupe-shows-up-at- -transmission-la-a/
Makes the Altima seem downright teutonic!
Also have to wonder how QC is going in Canton. Our Identifix reliability ratings for the Titan and Armada aren't earth-shaking.
That concept isn't exactly elegant, but it doesn't have the desperate for something different overstyling some are using.
Aren't some Peugeots that way now?
The new Altima really doesn't do anything for me. It looks taller, chunkier, and more ungainly than its predecessor, IMO. The front-end looks a bit generic to me, a bit Lexus/Toyota/Hyundai-ish. And the whole C-pillar area just seems a bit jumbled to me.
But, at the same time, I wouldn't turn my nose up at it if I were shopping for a new car. I'd at least give it a once-over to see how I like it, and how it compares to other cars. But, it just doesn't excite me anymore. I still remember when the '02 Altima first came out, I liked it so much, I considered trading my Intrepid in on one. And when the '07 restyle came out, I thought it was a nice update. But with this '13, it's like, whatever.
The new Nissan front end style, seen on Infiniti, is very much like what Lexus is going after. It's a reactionary move against criticism for blandness.
And I always thought Bangle sorta aped the 1994 Accord. At least from the rear. And not as tastefully.
You like big cars, right? Makes sense, then.
You like big cars, right? Makes sense, then.
Yeah, but the cars are still close enough that visually, I don't see much difference. It's just that the '02 seemed so radical when it came out. It pretty much launched the horsepower wars among lower priced cars, with Honda, Toyota, and everyone else upping the ante. But when the '07 came out, it was more evolution than revolution.
As I recall, the '02-06 Altima did have a higher seating position and lower beltline, so it didn't seem as claustrophobic. But, all cars have higher beltlines these days, so I can't blame that one on Nissan. Both cars fit me fine up front, but the '07+ is definitely tighter in back, and lost about one cubic foot of trunk space.
Back then you could even get a manual. I test drove one but it seemed like the front axle was eager to separate from the rest of the car, though.
Buddy of mine has the outgoing model, 4 banger CVT. It's one of the better CVTs I've tried, but the seat is indeed too low, the belt line high.
Hard to ignore the 0-60 in 7.1s combined with 38mpg EPA highway.
Well styling is subjective. Personally, I liked the Bangle designs. Suprisingly even though there was an uproar in the non buying enthusiast crowd, sales improved during the flame surfacing era.
Then again, I loved Art & Science right from the start. And after only 18 months I'm over the current Hyundai look.
Art and Science was better in the facelift IMO, the second CTS wears it much better, with nicer materials too.
Indeed, Autoweek loved the new Altima.
Some folks are conservative by nature, change-averse.
Fool? Some of them are making out like bandits with the rest of us having paid the costs to subsidize their home loss or repossession and the rest of us going to pay.
The only thing we're not doing is buying cars for folks. But we're close with the subsidies through the years on toyotas and hybrids.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
:confuse:
SIA used to build Rodeos and Subarus. Then Isuzu went belly up, and they tried making the Tribeca there on line #2, but it never caught on, so they started making Camrys.
That back-fired because Subaru sales picked up, so now Subaru is considering a 2nd plant.
I thought they would kick Toyota out and just use the 2nd line. We'll see.
With the Yen so strong it hurts the bottom line that they make all Imprezas and Foresters in Japan. They should make those here, especially the popular Forester, since the US is its best market.
"We are looking at a variety of issues in the bilateral relationship, including, I would say, in the auto sector," Tim Reif, General Counsel at the USTR told reporters today."
US Trade Representative Office Suggesting Action Against Chinese Auto Parts (Inside Line)
I pity the fool who used emotion over logic to buy a house during the boom, who trusted the mortgage broker and the media hype, who likely willingly lied about their income to qualify, etc...and then came the HELOCs to buy SUVs and Harleys and poorly made watercraft. These people should have their incomes garnished for eons.
On the plus side, it did help with the sales of high profit margin American made trucks and bloated relatives.