QUOTE(JohnQPublic @ Sep 7 2004, 10:50 AM)
Why is it that Ford, Chevy, and Dodges are all being outsold by higher quality Japanese companies?
When's the last time you bought a DVD player for $20 at walmart that is made by an american company? Do you have sheets made of Egyptian cotton? How about Kobe beef? The clothes you are wearing were made over seas, why? Because consumers decided that the price to quality ratio was better on imported clothes.
Ever use knives made of Japanese steel? How about computer parts? When did you buy a computer that is completely composed of parts made in america? NEVER!
We're living in the global economy that we've been striving to acheive for years. Your protectionist attitute is naive.
Do you think our economy could survive without cheap imported goods or exporting anything?
1. Most Japanese auto manufacturers are now producing their cars in the US and Canada. There is limited space in Japan and the cost to build factories is less expensive to shift operations here in North America. The Toyota Camry, Corolla, Solera, and Celica (and compatable Lexus models) are the Toyota models made in NA and Honda makes the Civic and the Accord here in NA (as well as the compatable Acura models), Nissan and Mitsubishi both have production plants in NA however I do not know what models out of their product lines are produced here. Despite being built in the US these are still subject to import tariffs due to the ownership of the company being international. Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the number 1 and 2 sold vehicles since 1983, most of which are still on the road passing inspection and being driven regularly, according to JD Powers & Assoc. Dec 2003. (Have actual magazine, but no scanner to show report)
2. Never bought a $20 DVD player that I got from Wal Mart made by and American company, don't have one at all yet. Wal-mart does not get any thing from American companies if they can save a buck getting it from a sweet shop. But I do hope to have a DVD player soon.
Yes, I do have actual sheets made of Egyptian cotton. I got them from a friend that I went to boarding school with. She is from the middle east and brought me several sets as a wedding gift. Most "Egyptian" sheets are only made with some Egyptian thread, but not the entire sheet.
What is Kobe beef? All I can think of is the basketball player! So Sorry
I try to buy as much of my clothing as possible from "Made in the USA" labels. Not always possible, but I do try. I try to stay away from some countries since they are notorious for violating human rights laws when it comes to working conditions. I attempt to not send money to countries that abuse their workers or allow their workers to be abused.
3. I never used Japanese knives. I always preferred German knives. The balance and craftmanship was to my preference.
Last time I used an electronic gizmo that was entirely made out of American made parts was in the early 1970's and it was a Texas Instruments (TI) product. But then again the last car that I drove that was entirely made in the USA (and I have only owned American manufacturers) was my 1972 Chevelle.
