Foreign Car Dealers’ Association Angry with Obama's 'Buy American' Message

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

Thats what ticks me off so much! They killed how many of our soldiers in the war, but yet we go ahead and let them sell their garbage over here and make a killing on it. If I was a Veteran I would be disgusted that my own country basically betrayed me!

No German cars too then right? The Brits killed us too, so no British cars either. Uhm... we fought Italy as well... nothing from them. French cars suck so doesn't matter if we don't get those... lets see... uh... Well there's Australia and South Korea.

Allright! So we can buy South Korean, Australian, and American cars!

Anyways, really, you guys like to push the "Necessity is the mother of all invention" even along the lines of fuel regulation and air pollution regulation. So along the same lines of artificial needs, having foreign competition here is an "artificial need" so your same "Necessity is the mother of all invention" line should hold true.

As Ford is showing, it is definitely possible to be able to compete with Japan, even on uneven footing. And guess what? If Ford is successful in their gambit they will be a FAR BETTER company than Toyota could ever be because Ford has to be far more resourceful and efficient in its processes to compete... and once the playing field begins to level more as globalization progresses, Ford will be in the dominant global position over Toyota who had to rely somewhat on their own government to "move forward" whereas Ford has only themselves to rely on.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Teh Ricer Civic!

[Drew Dowdell]

But to what degree are Japanese protectionists rather than extremely nationalistic? There is a difference, same outcome, but still a difference.

It's not a matter of the Japanese general population favoring japanese cars. Detroit doesn't even get a chance to compete. Cars imported to Japan have to pass tests and examinations that domestically produced cars do not. The Japanese LOVED the B-bodies and Chevy Astros. They had an active gray market import program to bring these cars to the island. It cost them a fortune to do because of the inspections.... the same inspections GM would have to go through.

[Teh Ricer Civic!]

It's not a matter of the Japanese general population favoring japanese cars. Detroit doesn't even get a chance to compete. Cars imported to Japan have to pass tests and examinations that domestically produced cars do not. The Japanese LOVED the B-bodies and Chevy Astros. They had an active gray market import program to bring these cars to the island. It cost them a fortune to do because of the inspections.... the same inspections GM would have to go through.

Now can GM get around these restrictions by BUILDING them in Japan? Or is that not allowed either?

[Drew Dowdell]

No German cars too then right? The Brits killed us too, so no British cars either. Uhm... we fought Italy as well... nothing from them. French cars suck so doesn't matter if we don't get those... lets see... uh... Well there's Australia and South Korea.

Allright! So we can buy South Korean, Australian, and American cars!

Anyways, really, you guys like to push the "Necessity is the mother of all invention" even along the lines of fuel regulation and air pollution regulation. So along the same lines of artificial needs, having foreign competition here is an "artificial need" so your same "Necessity is the mother of all invention" line should hold true.

As Ford is showing, it is definitely possible to be able to compete with Japan, even on uneven footing. And guess what? If Ford is successful in their gambit they will be a FAR BETTER company than Toyota could ever be because Ford has to be far more resourceful and efficient in its processes to compete... and once the playing field begins to level more as globalization progresses, Ford will be in the dominant global position over Toyota who had to rely somewhat on their own government to "move forward" whereas Ford has only themselves to rely on.

Do you really know why Ford is doing well today? Seriously?

They mortgaged EVERYTHING just before the credit markets imploded even though they didn't need the money at the time. They have solid platforms to put their cars on... but so does GM.

Anyone here think the Fusion is that much better a platform than the Epsilon? Anyone? How about the Taurus being a better platform than the Zeta? Bueller? Bueller? How many out there are going to find the MKS to be a better car than the CTS?

[Drew Dowdell]

Now can GM get around these restrictions by BUILDING them in Japan? Or is that not allowed either?

That I do not know. When Toyota doesn't import and more cars to the US and builds them all here, then I'll care.

[Robert Hall]

Do you really know why Ford is doing well today? Seriously?

Anyone here think the Fusion is that much better a platform than the Epsilon?

I'd say those are pretty equivalent.

How about the Taurus being a better platform than the Zeta?

Invalid comparison, but the Taurus is certainly better and more modern than it's GM equivalent, the W-body Impala.

[Camino LS6]

Now can GM get around these restrictions by BUILDING them in Japan? Or is that not allowed either?

The answer is no, because renting/selling to, and supplying a foreign competitor of a Japanese Corp. will get you drummed out of town. The obstacles are in every facet of doing business there.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'd say those are pretty equivalent.

Invalid comparison, but the Taurus is certainly better and more modern than it's GM equivalent, the W-body Impala.

Why is a Zeta v. Taurus an invalid comparison? Just because the Zeta is RWD? Think a NG Taurus and NG Charger/300c aren't going to get cross shopped?

[Robert Hall]

Why is a Zeta v. Taurus an invalid comparison? Just because the Zeta is RWD? Think a NG Taurus and NG Charger/300c aren't going to get cross shopped?

Well, NA-market Zeta sedans are now defunct with Pontiac's demise (unless a Chevy version of the G8 appears in the future). The W-body lives on. I certainly wouldn't cross shop FWD vs. RWD models, but some may.

Edited May 4, 2009 by Cubical

[Daryl Z71]

No German cars too then right? The Brits killed us too, so no British cars either. Uhm... we fought Italy as well... nothing from them. French cars suck so doesn't matter if we don't get those... lets see... uh... Well there's Australia and South Korea.

Allright! So we can buy South Korean, Australian, and American cars!

Anyways, really, you guys like to push the "Necessity is the mother of all invention" even along the lines of fuel regulation and air pollution regulation. So along the same lines of artificial needs, having foreign competition here is an "artificial need" so your same "Necessity is the mother of all invention" line should hold true.

As Ford is showing, it is definitely possible to be able to compete with Japan, even on uneven footing. And guess what? If Ford is successful in their gambit they will be a FAR BETTER company than Toyota could ever be because Ford has to be far more resourceful and efficient in its processes to compete... and once the playing field begins to level more as globalization progresses, Ford will be in the dominant global position over Toyota who had to rely somewhat on their own government to "move forward" whereas Ford has only themselves to rely on.

Exactly lol

[pow]

The answer is no, because renting/selling to, and supplying a foreign competitor of a Japanese Corp. will get you drummed out of town. The obstacles are in every facet of doing business there.

It should be interesting to hear what these obstacles are, and if they still exist. Until recently, Ford owned 33.9% of Mazda - which supplied engines, platforms, and engineering to Ford. Renault still owns 44.3% of Nissan - which has a French CEO.

Frankly GM never put much effort into Japan. They could have produced a locally-designed and produced car, but with Japan's historically weak economy, tiny car market, and periodic recessions, why bother? China, Eastern Europe, and South America had far more potential customers.

[pow]

It's not a matter of the Japanese general population favoring japanese cars. Detroit doesn't even get a chance to compete. Cars imported to Japan have to pass tests and examinations that domestically produced cars do not. The Japanese LOVED the B-bodies and Chevy Astros. They had an active gray market import program to bring these cars to the island. It cost them a fortune to do because of the inspections.... the same inspections GM would have to go through.

US import regulations are just as anal, requiring a whole host of agencies' approval - NHTSA, EPA, etc. It's practically impossible to import a European car into the US, though not the other way around.

[Camino LS6]

US import regulations are just as anal, requiring a whole host of agencies' approval - NHTSA, EPA, etc. It's practically impossible to import a European car into the US, though not the other way around.

Not the same by a longshot. It isn't a simple matter of meeting regulations, it is a system of intentional obstacles.

However, given the spot they are in now, that all may change in a hurry.

There will be pain all around.