I can't find the poster's question on why (or whether) "Country of Origin" for engine and transmission aren't included in the parts content percentages....
I remember a few months ago, looking at a window sticker for a 2014 Cruze. The sticker specifically mentioned that those things were not included in the parts percentage. I have to assume that 'country of origin' in this case means only where the engine and transmission are assembled. I would be interested in where that happens for Toyota and Ford trucks. I couldn't get near an F-150 and the two Tundras I looked at absolutely, positively, did not have any content information on their window price stickers. Were they on a separate sticker? If so, must've been on the other side of the vehicle. I did not see them. All I saw was the price, options, and that final assembly was in San Antonio.
Not crazy about the new Silverado's styling, but the front of that Tundra reminded me of the swan-song 1961 DeSoto!
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Thanks for the congrats, in answer to some questions, yes I am now part of the union ( first time for that) it is now UNIFOR up here instead of CAW ( they merged or something last year), I go start my training on the line tonight, it will be at least a week before I am working more or less on my own. As for quality I can't speak for the rest of the plants, but here every from Management to the line workers seem to realize that their jobs are dependent on putting out the highest quality power train components possible, and all admit how much the company has changed ifor the better in the last ten years, and even more so in the last five. I think it is a good sign that they are admitting even internally ( and not just to the press) that the way they did things before wasn't good, and that they need to be at the top of the class in quality and reliability. I do think that they were late to getting to that point, it should have been more than 10 years again that this was done properly ( from what I can see the systems in place look to be well done, and they are now still improving everything they can, nothing is good enough anymore in this plant anyway, like it must have been in the past). Obviously since I am working there I am hoping that this commitment is company wide, it is what they need to do to survive ( and yes some of the designs needs to improve to top of the class too, there isn't anything assembly can do about that though, all we can do is build what we are given to the best quality possible, the engineers and designers have to give us the best product to build, which isn't occurring in all their products yet ( I know some would still say most). In any case for me things look good as a temporary worker until at least 2016 when the next contract is negotiated ( and yes I will be " temporary" until at least then. Still better chance of being in the same place than most other jobs out there at this point, and the starting temporary pay is good ( as good as the best pay I have had as an electronics Technologist and I don't have to drive 1.5 hrs to get it). I will get some benefits as well, though not everything the full timers get, and not the same pay either. For me I am happy to have the job, and will wait and see what happens in the future. I haven't done assembly line work before, but as long as that is okay I think I will be fine.
You may be able to find a school or non-profit to donate them to;
When I cleaned out my 20+ years of storage a year ago I had a PU load of old electronics. I called the tech schools and the recycle places. The schools were not interested as they wanted the latest and greatest. The recycle place was 40 miles away. And I found out they load the stuff into empty containers and ship it to China. I called a local Surplus electronics store. He was tickled to get the stuff for free. There were many unopened computer modules, several Mother boards, sound cards, video cards and 3 complete computers I had built and stored when they became outdated. I still have two totes full of software. Literally hundreds of CDs & Floppies of backups from home and work. I was the IT guy from the 1980s when we put all our customer records on an Atari 1040 ST. I have a hard time throwing stuff away. Makes it difficult to think of moving. I need to get rid of a lot of stuff so my kids are not overwhelmed when I croak.
Not crazy about the new Silverado's styling, but the front of that Tundra reminded me of the swan-song 1961 DeSoto!
To my eyes the Chevy PU trucks from 1988 to 1999 were the best looking EVER. Ford had some good years in the 1980s. Dodge has never built a PU I would call good looking. Toyota PU trucks are nothing to look at either. My Nissan is so so, but it runs better than the Ranger it replaced. I don't drive it as much since buying the Touareg TDI. I would buy the new T6 Ranger diesel if they were sold in the USA. We in the 3rd world get the dregs for the most part. Americans are into Bling more than anything else in vehicle buying.
Another bit of Italian mythology--the trains didn't run on time, nor did Mussolini "work all night"---but he did leave the light on in his office--LOL!
I'm not trashing my old laptop. You know how it goes. One day you switch on your computer and it goes PFFFFFT! And suddenly that "old" laptop looks like a jug of ice water in the desert.
"To my eyes the Chevy PU trucks from 1988 to 1999 were the best looking EVER"
Funny you say that...I'm not into trucks much, but when that '88 style came out (I swear I saw my first one in late-calendar-'86, really--I'm ALMOST sure!), I thought that was a good-looking truck. I liked them with four headlights. In our old neighborhood, back in the early '90's, a neighbor had an '88 Silverado, two-tone light over dark brown, those nice factory wheels that looked sort-of like a Chevy Rally Wheel, and he kept it sooooo nice. I see him every now and then at old car meets--the pickup is long-gone--and we talk about how nice that truck was.
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I would have to look it up but as I recall it was the CAW and the communications, energy and paper workers unions that combined in the last year, I would guess because due to declining membership in all of them they felt it would be more effective to combine. Guess they felt 300,000 members was better than 20 or 30 thousand.
A Dodge truck I thought was really sharp-looking was the all-new '93 or '94, can't remember which. I still like them although haven't seen a nice one in quite a while....the one with the taller, center grille. A Studebaker friend just loves the last couple or so model years of the old Dodge pickup right before that, and buys them when he comes across a low-mileage, clean one.
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I can't find the poster's question on why (or whether) "Country of Origin" for engine and transmission aren't included in the parts content percentages....I remember a few months ago, looking at a window sticker for a 2014 Cruze. The sticker specifically mentioned that those things were not included in the parts percentage. I have to assume that 'country of origin' in this case means only where the engine and transmission are assembled.
The Monroney sticker lists:
% of US/Canadian parts content % of major sources of parts content Final Assembly Point Country of Origin of the engine and transmission There is a note that says: parts content does not include final assembly, distribution or other non-parts costs.
% of US/Canadian parts content % of major sources of parts content Final Assembly Point Country of Origin of the engine and transmission There is a note that says: parts content does not include final assembly, distribution or other non-parts costs.
So unless there's good evidence to the contrary, it *does* appear that the engine and transmission are included, since they are obviously major components of the vehicle. That's good because the sticker is therefore pretty valuable. Too bad it doesn't breakout just US versus US/Canada.
If final assembly was included in addtition, then that would sway the number a bit further toward the assembly location as a percent of the value from different locations. So a 70% domestic content assembled in the US is probably more like 75% or 80% total domestic value, and a 25% domestic content vehicle assembled in another country would conversely mean the total value was more like 15% or 20% as the assembly value sways it further from domestic content, in terms of not just parts, but vehicle value.
As I mentioned previously, parts of engines and trans I believe are included in the parts percentage, but the assembly location of engine and trans has nothing to do with the parts percentage numbers.
I would dare someone to show me the parts content on the window price sticker of the two Toyota Tundras I looked at, at Don Joseph Toyota, Kent, OH.
Could it not be required on trucks? Monroney stickers were required on cars starting in '59 but not at all on new trucks until well into the '70's. I clearly remember at least as late as '73, looking at new Chevy trucks at our local dealer and none had window stickers.
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As I mentioned previously, parts of engines and trans I believe are included in the parts percentage, but the assembly location of engine and trans has nothing to do with the parts percentage numbers.
After further research, the parts content of the engine and transmission does include the labor component.
Could it not be required on trucks?
Again, after further reserarch, all light vehicles - including pickup trucks - are required to list the components.
6. A statement which explains that parts content does not include final assembly (except the engine and transmission), distribution, or other non-parts costs.
Toyota chose Chicago to introduce the new 2014 Tundra. Following the lead of the big three, the Tunda is bigger and has a more premium interior. Unlike the big boys, Toyota still won’t have a 3/4 or 1 ton models, but they are touting the Tundra as having the highest North American parts content of any other 1/2 ton truck. Them’s fighting words.
Of course 1/2 ton doesn’t really mean half a ton of bed capacity any more. The Tundra with the 5.7L V8 will have a 2,000lb bed capacity and a SAE certified 10,000lb towing capacity. Helping tow lovers out is a new integrated towing controller and a redesigned rear bumper that’s only 2/3 chrome so when you smack your hitch into your bumper (you know who you are) it will be less obvious and perhaps easier to repair.
There will be a TRD model, a Limitied model and since everyone else is going Platinum, so will the Tundra. Aping the King Ranch themed F-150, Toyota is getting their on ranch edition with saddle brown leather, a higher price tag and some dubious Texas ranch tie-ins. Every model gets a redesigned interior, Toyota’s latest infotainment systems and more soft touch dash bits. Toyota hasn’t announced pricing yet, so that just means you’ll have to visit TTAC daily for that release.
,b>Plus, if somebody's near a Toyota dealer, check out a current, new Tundra and let me know where you see the content on the window sticker.
I stopped by one on my errands this AM. It looks like Toyota doesn't put it on the Monroney sticker but on a separate sticker. Perhaps because Toyota still has a couple of distributors, it applies the parts content at the factory and the distributor applies the Monroney. I checked Tundras, Tacomas, Sequoias and RAVs.
Anyway, I took a photo on my phone - if you want it, post your e-mail address.
For the Tundra:
US/Canada 75% Major sources of foreign parts content: Japan 20% Final Assembly Point San Antonio Country of Origin Engine USA, Transmission USA.
>>>>>>and yes some of the designs needs to improve to top of the class too, there isn't anything assembly can do about that though, all we can do is build what we are given to the best quality possible, the engineers and designers have to give us the best product to build, which isn't occurring in all their products yet.>>>>>>
An excellent point. Often made by quality and management expert, W. Edwards Deming (1900-1993). Deming had a significant role in helping Japanese companies improve their products in the decades after WWII. The Japanese named an annual quality award in that country in his honor.
Thank you for verifying that my auditor skills of observation aren't completely gone. I wonder why Toyota doesn't put it on the Monroney label? The two Tundras I looked at had vast expanses of blank white space on their labels. I'm used to looking at GM stickers, but it's in bold and large print on the sticker.
Were the content stickers you saw next to the window stickers? Not the case on the two I looked at...but I only looked at two. I wanted outta there.
Those are excellent parts content percentages, and I'm glad to see engine and trans built in the 'States. Still, I can't get past that styling.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
I wonder why Toyota doesn't put it on the Monroney label?
Reading the NHTSA page again, it says it must be on the Monroney sticker or on another label. The information has to be prominent and visible from the outside of the vehicle.
As I said earlier, since Toyota still uses regional distributors I'm guessing they put the parts label on at the factory and then the distributor puts the Monroney on.
Were the content stickers you saw next to the window stickers?
All the ones I saw were on the rear driver side window and the Monroney was on the passenger side. I was prominent and visible from the outside as required by law.
Boy, no discussion necessary about that baby being 'American' or not!
Probably for the last fifteen years, I've had the complete window sticker placed in my glove compartment when I've bought a car. Before that, they'd glue the sticker on, and you'd get half of one in your glove compartment when you'd pick the car up.
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No doubt the Touareg is not USA made. I did give the Domestics a chance and they could not deliver. I went to the Jeep dealers starting in March of this year. They told me the Jeep GC diesel would be available by June. We took our last cross country trip in the 07 Sequoia in May. We went in to our big Jeep dealer and the story changed. He said Jeep told him first of August on the diesel GC. By the way I really do like the Jeep GC a lot. I think it is probably the best vehicle Chrysler builds. So in August we go back and the story is now November for the diesel. That is when we got serious about getting a different diesel SUV. We did a lot of test driving the two MB models and the VW Touareg. All the stars lined up on the VW and we love the vehicle. Great cross country cruiser and 25 MPG around town in a 5500 lb vehicle is NOT shabby. Maybe in 3-4 years we may give the Domestics another chance to deliver. It will have to be diesel. No more gas guzzlers in my future.
I thought that was a good-looking truck. I liked them with four headlights.
I liked the 4-headlight models as well, but when they went to the composite headlights, where the headlight was about the same size as the turn signal below, the look made me think of Clark Griswold's Wagon Queen Family Truckster!
My uncle had a 1994 GMC Sierra for a couple years, but it was a stripper model, and still had single, inset rectangular headlights. I thought it was fairly attractive. Sometimes he wishes he had never gotten rid of it, but when it was about 2 1/2 years old he traded it for a low-mileage GMC 3/4 ton, Diesel, 4wd, extended cab, 8-foot bed truck that only had about 20,000 miles on it. For some reason, he figured he wanted to go all-out and start splurging, but soon regretted it, as that Diesel had to go back in the shop fairly often.
He dumped that Diesel after about 7-8 months, trading it for a '97 Silverado...the one we ended up using as a trade-in for my 2012 Ram. The '97 was just a 4.3 V-6/4-speed auto/2wd, but was a pretty nice truck, I thought. When it was newer, at least. It didn't age all that well, going through two transmissions, a rear end, lots of brake work as it got older, water pump, intake manifold, and so on. It had about 140,000 miles on it when we traded it. I think one reason it didn't age well was that my uncle tended to let it sit around alot, and would often park on the grass, under a tree in the front yard, etc, and moisture would get to it, much moreso than if it was driven regularly, and parked on pavement.
Actually the rods that broke on the Bay Bridge were made in Ohio, but the media never tells you that. Also, they are not structural. Seems they were over-torqued perhaps. So the whole "inferior" steel flap is just the union beating its gums at this point. Nobody actually knows why the rods broke at this point, ( or they ain't sayin') nor have they tested the Chinese steel, aside from testing the price, which was cheaper. Earlier, there were weld problems with some Chinese steel and that was sent back, so inferior workmanship is a valid claim.
What have we built in the USA to brag about lately?
The Freedom Tower New York Transbay Terminal San Francisco SF MOMA San Francisco ICA Boston Brickell Key Miami Riverside South New York Central Artery Project Boston
The Freedom Tower New York, Just another tall building Transbay Terminal San Francisco, Not finished, pretty pictures SF MOMA San Francisco, Under remodel. ICA Boston, A very ugly art museum, Brickell Key Miami, It will be under water soon according to Al Gore Riverside South New York, Another big ugly building Central Artery Project Boston, Largest debacle in US history according to locals.
I want US to be the best and we are not even second or third best. This was posted for those that do not think China is in our league. I think they are passing US by. Those above projects show we are living in the past. It has been 111 years since we built something this spectacular.
We'll see how the Chinese stuff ages. Seeing how much of their new infrastructure is already crumbling, I wouldn't start admiring the kleptocratic sweatshop dictatorship just yet.
On topic, I just spent 1000 miles behind the wheel of a 2014 Impala LTZ, and I can say that GM and American cars aren't dead yet. The car is fully competitive, the 3.6 is a nice engine, and the car did not disappoint. The 2013 vs 2014 Impala is probably like a 1954 vs 1955 Chevy, leap forward. They are trying.
I want US to be the best and we are not even second or third best. This was posted for those that do not think China is in our league. I think they are passing US by.
The people who disparage China as some third world backwater are kidding themselves. They have passed us and are moving up while we are moving down. Many of our own impressions are residues of our past glory.
China launches men into space, has numerous high speed trains. Neither case true in the US. Their architecture is up and coming and beautiful. Most of our top end electronics are made there. They have way more experience building skyscrapers than we do right now. They are like the US in the 50s and 60s - in their heyday. Some social and environmental problems, but they are working on those. They will continue to improve.
We think we know better and are the best, but we remember the past.
I'm jealous about driving 1,000 miles in a new Impala. I'd love to drive one but don't want to test-drive one and be perpetually bothered by a salesman, when I know I'm not in the market.
I look forward to them phasing in some additional colors....I'm probably dreamin'.
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I think the USA is like the frogs in a pot of cold water. It will be too late when we realize our system of over regulation is killing our ability to be the best. I read a good study that says it would take US twice as long to put men on the Moon than it did the first time. We are no longer the Risk takers we were 50 years ago.
I look forward to them phasing in some additional colors....I'm probably dreamin'.
Looks like the Impala's offered in 8 regular colors plus 2 extra cost. That's probably about as much choice as you're gonna get, these days.
Right now they're offering silver, gray, black, red, a light champagne looking color. Three shades of blue, including a pale one that I really like. On the extra-cost front, there's Crystal Red and White Diamond.
I wonder what that pale blue (they call it Silver Topaz) looks like in person? I did a Google search on it, and it seems to change depending on the light. In some pics it looks like a nice, refreshing light blue, while in others it just looks silver.
I think ultimately, in the long run, the future belongs to Asia and environs. The West, delusions of grandeur not withstanding, will remain prosperous but not dominant in global economics.
I think what holds China back a bit is the same thing that hinders Russia - it's Communist roots. There seems to be a general corruption that brings on an attitude of "quick buck" thinking. Russia is particularly sad. Here is a country with phenomenal technical capabilities, but a political system that inhibits fully utilizing it. If Russia was a more western nation it would be knocking a lot of other countries socks off. China is not as rigid though, but it's pollution and dense population centers may bring on some adverse affects. When you look at Asia, including the Middle East portion, you have to think the growth is going to be focused there because of their populations and growing educational emphasis. But I think the west still holds an important cultural advantage right now at least - innovation and better risk management.
Just rent one. They aren't too common in the fleets yet - the ancient model is still out there in huge numbers, but they do exist. There was another LTZ on the lot when I rented.
Only problem is the car might have been abused before you get it - Mine had 8K on it, I am sure it hadn't been babied.
And daring to value innovation rather than being addicted to IP theft and idiotic joint ventures supported by should-be-hanged execs.
The corruption and low quality of so much recent infrastructure (things collapse and crash there routinely) will be an achilles heel. At least here, when things break, they are old.
Passed how? In terms of population? The US put men into space more than a half century ago. The buildings and infrastructure are of dubious quality. Production of high end items there is tightly managed by foreign oversight. So what?
Would you live in a Chinese skyscraper?
"Some" problems? Which somewhat-developed nation is a greater social and environmental criminal? Not to mention the IP criminality.
"They will continue to improve."
You base this on what? Some useless cookie cutter cracker jack MBA "synergy" type talk? I suppose they can't get much worse in terms of social injustice and pollution.
If it's so great, would you move there? If it's so great, why do so many with money there flee to the west when they can buy their way in? If you had been born there, even at a time when it was much cheaper and easier to get ahead like you have here, would you have what you have been able to get now?
You base this on what? Some useless cookie cutter cracker jack MBA "synergy" type talk? I suppose they can't get much worse in terms of social injustice and pollution.
Calm yourself down. This opinion is based upon trends. I could be wrong, but don't think so. China is certainly better than they were 20 years ago. What has the US accomplished in that time? It's not where we are, but where they are going, and where we are going. Seems like our corruption is on the rise.
Just because one can observe trends doesn't mean they would want to live there, that's silly. But wishing for things to be different in life doesn't make it so.
Time will tell, it's just that recent trends and behaviors of the US versus others are not positive, IMHO.
At this rate, it will be another 200 years before the place reaches any level of real human development for all but well connected officials and pseudo-businessmen.
What has the US done? More breaks for the top few, hugely bloated Praetorian class, withering middle class, en masse exportation of living wage jobs, et al. Trickle down.
You are right about the corruption. If anything, the US adopting some of the worst traits of China - corruption, untouchable public sector, criminal "businessmen" who buy laws, substandard human development - devolution. Maybe proof of the race to the bottom that is unfair/free "trade"/"globalization".
So how is this any different that what is going on in the USA?
Cui Weiping, a soft-spoken, retired film professor, has been monitored by state security agents for the past nine years. The surveillance began after she wrote a letter sympathizing with mothers whose children were killed in the 1989 student protests.
The 2008 payoff to the Wall Street Bankers should be proof enough this is a Kleptocracy as much as China. The USA is not rated real high for honest government. Joe big bucks helps buy an election and gets his money back in contracts etc. I don't like Communism anymore than you do. But we have no room to point fingers at other countries when it comes to honesty in government. Or Pollution and human rights. If an American company gets stuff made with slave labor and pollutes another country, we as consumers and a country are just as bad as the country where the human rights are violated and the air polluted.
I say if a product cannot be made here in a clean manner, don't allow it to be sold here. That means out with all the computers, hybrids, TVs and Smartphones. Along with the wind mills, CFLs and Solar panels.
In the world Corruption Perception Index for 2012, the U.S. places a not quite respectable 19th place, with New Zealand taking #1 as the "purest" and most of Scandinavia following. China is pretty far down the list at #80. The closest European country to match China's corruption would be Serbia and Italy. Iran is # 133 and North Korea the most corrupt nation on earth at 174.
Here's an interesting, if controversial, article about the GM bankruptcy. Written by a friend of Wagoner, it seems to cast the former CEO as a Joan of Arc figure, a martyr to the cause of defending the sacred halls of GM. That's a bit hard to swallow, to see him as blameless, but there are some interesting back room glimpses in the piece.
The US has shameful incidents, but in the US it is still possible to make something of yourself without having official connections or bowing down to the party. In China, not so much. Where would you rather live, or have your kin get started? Here or there? The US has plenty of room to point at social and environmental evildoers.
I agree about the importation of slave labor goods, but it is kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy when the 1%er "job creators" buy the rules and regulations that allow the junk in, in the first place, and then destroy any idea of real competition. For many goods, there simply aren't alternatives. Consumers get sweatshop or worse choices, with insignificant price reductions as compensation. I agree that if it can't be made here in a responsible manner, it shouldn't be sold here, or it should carry price adjustments to compensate for the damage. The stuff can be made, the profit margins would just be smaller - less bonuses for execs and their useless MBA/consultant crones. It's not trickling down anyway.
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I remember a few months ago, looking at a window sticker for a 2014 Cruze. The sticker specifically mentioned that those things were not included in the parts percentage. I have to assume that 'country of origin' in this case means only where the engine and transmission are assembled. I would be interested in where that happens for Toyota and Ford trucks. I couldn't get near an F-150 and the two Tundras I looked at absolutely, positively, did not have any content information on their window price stickers. Were they on a separate sticker? If so, must've been on the other side of the vehicle. I did not see them. All I saw was the price, options, and that final assembly was in San Antonio.
Not crazy about the new Silverado's styling, but the front of that Tundra reminded me of the swan-song 1961 DeSoto!
As for quality I can't speak for the rest of the plants, but here every from Management to the line workers seem to realize that their jobs are dependent on putting out the highest quality power train components possible, and all admit how much the company has changed ifor the better in the last ten years, and even more so in the last five. I think it is a good sign that they are admitting even internally ( and not just to the press) that the way they did things before wasn't good, and that they need to be at the top of the class in quality and reliability. I do think that they were late to getting to that point, it should have been more than 10 years again that this was done properly ( from what I can see the systems in place look to be well done, and they are now still improving everything they can, nothing is good enough anymore in this plant anyway, like it must have been in the past). Obviously since I am working there I am hoping that this commitment is company wide, it is what they need to do to survive ( and yes some of the designs needs to improve to top of the class too, there isn't anything assembly can do about that though, all we can do is build what we are given to the best quality possible, the engineers and designers have to give us the best product to build, which isn't occurring in all their products yet ( I know some would still say most). In any case for me things look good as a temporary worker until at least 2016 when the next contract is negotiated ( and yes I will be " temporary" until at least then. Still better chance of being in the same place than most other jobs out there at this point, and the starting temporary pay is good ( as good as the best pay I have had as an electronics Technologist and I don't have to drive 1.5 hrs to get it). I will get some benefits as well, though not everything the full timers get, and not the same pay either. For me I am happy to have the job, and will wait and see what happens in the future. I haven't done assembly line work before, but as long as that is okay I think I will be fine.
When I cleaned out my 20+ years of storage a year ago I had a PU load of old electronics. I called the tech schools and the recycle places. The schools were not interested as they wanted the latest and greatest. The recycle place was 40 miles away. And I found out they load the stuff into empty containers and ship it to China. I called a local Surplus electronics store. He was tickled to get the stuff for free. There were many unopened computer modules, several Mother boards, sound cards, video cards and 3 complete computers I had built and stored when they became outdated. I still have two totes full of software. Literally hundreds of CDs & Floppies of backups from home and work. I was the IT guy from the 1980s when we put all our customer records on an Atari 1040 ST. I have a hard time throwing stuff away. Makes it difficult to think of moving. I need to get rid of a lot of stuff so my kids are not overwhelmed when I croak.
To my eyes the Chevy PU trucks from 1988 to 1999 were the best looking EVER. Ford had some good years in the 1980s. Dodge has never built a PU I would call good looking. Toyota PU trucks are nothing to look at either. My Nissan is so so, but it runs better than the Ranger it replaced. I don't drive it as much since buying the Touareg TDI. I would buy the new T6 Ranger diesel if they were sold in the USA. We in the 3rd world get the dregs for the most part. Americans are into Bling more than anything else in vehicle buying.
I'm not trashing my old laptop. You know how it goes. One day you switch on your computer and it goes PFFFFFT! And suddenly that "old" laptop looks like a jug of ice water in the desert.
Funny you say that...I'm not into trucks much, but when that '88 style came out (I swear I saw my first one in late-calendar-'86, really--I'm ALMOST sure!), I thought that was a good-looking truck. I liked them with four headlights. In our old neighborhood, back in the early '90's, a neighbor had an '88 Silverado, two-tone light over dark brown, those nice factory wheels that looked sort-of like a Chevy Rally Wheel, and he kept it sooooo nice. I see him every now and then at old car meets--the pickup is long-gone--and we talk about how nice that truck was.
there isn't anything assembly can do about that though
Gee, to listen to the talk in the UAW discussion, GM's lousy cars and bankruptcy were solely the fault of the line workers.
And yeah, shorter commutes are worth a lot. 1.5 hours is killer.
F-35 fighter jets: Norway doubles its order for F-35 fighters, from 6 to 12
The Norwegian government wants to order another six F-35 fighter jets this year, in a deal worth some 7.38 billion kroner ($1.23 billion).
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Latest-News-Wires/2013/1014/F-35-fighter-jets-Nor- way-doubles-its-order-for-F-35-fighters-from-6-to-12
The Monroney sticker lists:
% of US/Canadian parts content
% of major sources of parts content
Final Assembly Point
Country of Origin of the engine and transmission
There is a note that says: parts content does not include final assembly, distribution or other non-parts costs.
% of US/Canadian parts content
% of major sources of parts content
Final Assembly Point
Country of Origin of the engine and transmission
There is a note that says: parts content does not include final assembly, distribution or other non-parts costs.
So unless there's good evidence to the contrary, it *does* appear that the engine and transmission are included, since they are obviously major components of the vehicle. That's good because the sticker is therefore pretty valuable. Too bad it doesn't breakout just US versus US/Canada.
If final assembly was included in addtition, then that would sway the number a bit further toward the assembly location as a percent of the value from different locations. So a 70% domestic content assembled in the US is probably more like 75% or 80% total domestic value, and a 25% domestic content vehicle assembled in another country would conversely mean the total value was more like 15% or 20% as the assembly value sways it further from domestic content, in terms of not just parts, but vehicle value.
As I mentioned previously, parts of engines and trans I believe are included in the parts percentage, but the assembly location of engine and trans has nothing to do with the parts percentage numbers.
I would dare someone to show me the parts content on the window price sticker of the two Toyota Tundras I looked at, at Don Joseph Toyota, Kent, OH.
Could it not be required on trucks? Monroney stickers were required on cars starting in '59 but not at all on new trucks until well into the '70's. I clearly remember at least as late as '73, looking at new Chevy trucks at our local dealer and none had window stickers.
After further research, the parts content of the engine and transmission does include the labor component.
Could it not be required on trucks?
Again, after further reserarch, all light vehicles - including pickup trucks - are required to list the components.
Plus, if somebody's near a Toyota dealer, check out a current, new Tundra and let me know where you see the content on the window sticker.
6. A statement which explains that parts content does not include final assembly (except the engine and transmission), distribution, or other non-parts costs.
http://www.nhtsa.gov/Laws+&+Regulations/Part+583+American+Automobile+Labeling+Ac- t+(AALA)+Reports
Toyota chose Chicago to introduce the new 2014 Tundra. Following the lead of the big three, the Tunda is bigger and has a more premium interior. Unlike the big boys, Toyota still won’t have a 3/4 or 1 ton models, but they are touting the Tundra as having the highest North American parts content of any other 1/2 ton truck. Them’s fighting words.
Of course 1/2 ton doesn’t really mean half a ton of bed capacity any more. The Tundra with the 5.7L V8 will have a 2,000lb bed capacity and a SAE certified 10,000lb towing capacity. Helping tow lovers out is a new integrated towing controller and a redesigned rear bumper that’s only 2/3 chrome so when you smack your hitch into your bumper (you know who you are) it will be less obvious and perhaps easier to repair.
There will be a TRD model, a Limitied model and since everyone else is going Platinum, so will the Tundra. Aping the King Ranch themed F-150, Toyota is getting their on ranch edition with saddle brown leather, a higher price tag and some dubious Texas ranch tie-ins. Every model gets a redesigned interior, Toyota’s latest infotainment systems and more soft touch dash bits. Toyota hasn’t announced pricing yet, so that just means you’ll have to visit TTAC daily for that release.
The world holds its breath----steer horns? silver dollar door panels? colt .45 gearshift handle?
I stopped by one on my errands this AM. It looks like Toyota doesn't put it on the Monroney sticker but on a separate sticker. Perhaps because Toyota still has a couple of distributors, it applies the parts content at the factory and the distributor applies the Monroney. I checked Tundras, Tacomas, Sequoias and RAVs.
Anyway, I took a photo on my phone - if you want it, post your e-mail address.
For the Tundra:
US/Canada 75%
Major sources of foreign parts content: Japan 20%
Final Assembly Point San Antonio
Country of Origin Engine USA, Transmission USA.
An excellent point. Often made by quality and management expert, W. Edwards Deming (1900-1993). Deming had a significant role in helping Japanese companies improve their products in the decades after WWII. The Japanese named an annual quality award in that country in his honor.
Good luck with the new job.
Were the content stickers you saw next to the window stickers? Not the case on the two I looked at...but I only looked at two. I wanted outta there.
Those are excellent parts content percentages, and I'm glad to see engine and trans built in the 'States. Still, I can't get past that styling.
Reading the NHTSA page again, it says it must be on the Monroney sticker or on another label. The information has to be prominent and visible from the outside of the vehicle.
As I said earlier, since Toyota still uses regional distributors I'm guessing they put the parts label on at the factory and then the distributor puts the Monroney on.
Were the content stickers you saw next to the window stickers?
All the ones I saw were on the rear driver side window and the Monroney was on the passenger side. I was prominent and visible from the outside as required by law.
Probably for the last fifteen years, I've had the complete window sticker placed in my glove compartment when I've bought a car. Before that, they'd glue the sticker on, and you'd get half of one in your glove compartment when you'd pick the car up.
I liked the 4-headlight models as well, but when they went to the composite headlights, where the headlight was about the same size as the turn signal below, the look made me think of Clark Griswold's Wagon Queen Family Truckster!
My uncle had a 1994 GMC Sierra for a couple years, but it was a stripper model, and still had single, inset rectangular headlights. I thought it was fairly attractive. Sometimes he wishes he had never gotten rid of it, but when it was about 2 1/2 years old he traded it for a low-mileage GMC 3/4 ton, Diesel, 4wd, extended cab, 8-foot bed truck that only had about 20,000 miles on it. For some reason, he figured he wanted to go all-out and start splurging, but soon regretted it, as that Diesel had to go back in the shop fairly often.
He dumped that Diesel after about 7-8 months, trading it for a '97 Silverado...the one we ended up using as a trade-in for my 2012 Ram. The '97 was just a 4.3 V-6/4-speed auto/2wd, but was a pretty nice truck, I thought. When it was newer, at least. It didn't age all that well, going through two transmissions, a rear end, lots of brake work as it got older, water pump, intake manifold, and so on. It had about 140,000 miles on it when we traded it. I think one reason it didn't age well was that my uncle tended to let it sit around alot, and would often park on the grass, under a tree in the front yard, etc, and moisture would get to it, much moreso than if it was driven regularly, and parked on pavement.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2376911/Sheraton-Huzhou-Hot-Spring-Resor- t-gigantic-glowing-doughnut-hotel-China.html
PS: That hotel is really beautiful.
The Freedom Tower New York
Transbay Terminal San Francisco
SF MOMA San Francisco
ICA Boston
Brickell Key Miami
Riverside South New York
Central Artery Project Boston
Transbay Terminal San Francisco, Not finished, pretty pictures
SF MOMA San Francisco, Under remodel.
ICA Boston, A very ugly art museum,
Brickell Key Miami, It will be under water soon according to Al Gore
Riverside South New York, Another big ugly building
Central Artery Project Boston,
Largest debacle in US history according to locals.
I want US to be the best and we are not even second or third best. This was posted for those that do not think China is in our league. I think they are passing US by. Those above projects show we are living in the past. It has been 111 years since we built something this spectacular.
http://www.frenchlick.com/hotels/westbaden
On topic, I just spent 1000 miles behind the wheel of a 2014 Impala LTZ, and I can say that GM and American cars aren't dead yet. The car is fully competitive, the 3.6 is a nice engine, and the car did not disappoint. The 2013 vs 2014 Impala is probably like a 1954 vs 1955 Chevy, leap forward. They are trying.
I also bought some USA made jeans on my trip.
No problem, Los Angeles has thousands of sweatshops knocking out USA made clothes.
The people who disparage China as some third world backwater are kidding themselves. They have passed us and are moving up while we are moving down. Many of our own impressions are residues of our past glory.
China launches men into space, has numerous high speed trains. Neither case true in the US. Their architecture is up and coming and beautiful. Most of our top end electronics are made there. They have way more experience building skyscrapers than we do right now. They are like the US in the 50s and 60s - in their heyday. Some social and environmental problems, but they are working on those. They will continue to improve.
We think we know better and are the best, but we remember the past.
I look forward to them phasing in some additional colors....I'm probably dreamin'.
Looks like the Impala's offered in 8 regular colors plus 2 extra cost. That's probably about as much choice as you're gonna get, these days.
Right now they're offering silver, gray, black, red, a light champagne looking color. Three shades of blue, including a pale one that I really like. On the extra-cost front, there's Crystal Red and White Diamond.
I wonder what that pale blue (they call it Silver Topaz) looks like in person? I did a Google search on it, and it seems to change depending on the light. In some pics it looks like a nice, refreshing light blue, while in others it just looks silver.
Only problem is the car might have been abused before you get it - Mine had 8K on it, I am sure it hadn't been babied.
The corruption and low quality of so much recent infrastructure (things collapse and crash there routinely) will be an achilles heel. At least here, when things break, they are old.
Would you live in a Chinese skyscraper?
"Some" problems? Which somewhat-developed nation is a greater social and environmental criminal? Not to mention the IP criminality.
"They will continue to improve."
You base this on what? Some useless cookie cutter cracker jack MBA "synergy" type talk? I suppose they can't get much worse in terms of social injustice and pollution.
If it's so great, would you move there? If it's so great, why do so many with money there flee to the west when they can buy their way in? If you had been born there, even at a time when it was much cheaper and easier to get ahead like you have here, would you have what you have been able to get now?
Interesting
Looks like happy days are just around the corner
I wonder why some of the aging set seem to love the place, when there's no way in hell they'd want to live there, nor would be able to cut it.
You base this on what?
Just an opinion. You can have yours, too.
"They will continue to improve."
You base this on what? Some useless cookie cutter cracker jack MBA "synergy" type talk? I suppose they can't get much worse in terms of social injustice and pollution.
Calm yourself down. This opinion is based upon trends. I could be wrong, but don't think so. China is certainly better than they were 20 years ago. What has the US accomplished in that time? It's not where we are, but where they are going, and where we are going. Seems like our corruption is on the rise.
Just because one can observe trends doesn't mean they would want to live there, that's silly. But wishing for things to be different in life doesn't make it so.
Time will tell, it's just that recent trends and behaviors of the US versus others are not positive, IMHO.
What has the US done? More breaks for the top few, hugely bloated Praetorian class, withering middle class, en masse exportation of living wage jobs, et al. Trickle down.
You are right about the corruption. If anything, the US adopting some of the worst traits of China - corruption, untouchable public sector, criminal "businessmen" who buy laws, substandard human development - devolution. Maybe proof of the race to the bottom that is unfair/free "trade"/"globalization".
And don't tell me to calm down, it won't end well
Cui Weiping, a soft-spoken, retired film professor, has been monitored by state security agents for the past nine years. The surveillance began after she wrote a letter sympathizing with mothers whose children were killed in the 1989 student protests.
The 2008 payoff to the Wall Street Bankers should be proof enough this is a Kleptocracy as much as China. The USA is not rated real high for honest government. Joe big bucks helps buy an election and gets his money back in contracts etc. I don't like Communism anymore than you do. But we have no room to point fingers at other countries when it comes to honesty in government. Or Pollution and human rights. If an American company gets stuff made with slave labor and pollutes another country, we as consumers and a country are just as bad as the country where the human rights are violated and the air polluted.
I say if a product cannot be made here in a clean manner, don't allow it to be sold here. That means out with all the computers, hybrids, TVs and Smartphones. Along with the wind mills, CFLs and Solar panels.
How General Motors Was Really Saved
I agree about the importation of slave labor goods, but it is kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy when the 1%er "job creators" buy the rules and regulations that allow the junk in, in the first place, and then destroy any idea of real competition. For many goods, there simply aren't alternatives. Consumers get sweatshop or worse choices, with insignificant price reductions as compensation. I agree that if it can't be made here in a responsible manner, it shouldn't be sold here, or it should carry price adjustments to compensate for the damage. The stuff can be made, the profit margins would just be smaller - less bonuses for execs and their useless MBA/consultant crones. It's not trickling down anyway.