Patriotism Doesn't Sell Cars Today

[BrewSwillis]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationw...ack=1&cset=true (need to be registered)

When domestic automakers had their backs to the wall 25 years ago, they could count on a "Buy American" sentiment to keep some customers from defecting to fuel-efficient foreign cars.

Today, many loyal domestic vehicle owners say they would be comfortable buying an import.

Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research, says the confusion over national origin means consumers are less likely to try to help fellow Americans by buying a domestic vehicle.

"Basically, they throw their hands in the air and just buy what they like," Spinella said.

When CNW surveyed shoppers coming out of Wal-Mart stores, 75 percent said they preferred to buy American, yet an inspection of their purchases found that 90 percent were made in China.

For about one-third of car shoppers, where a vehicle is built may be moot because they don't include domestic brands on their shopping lists, according to CNW's research.

That's undoubtedly due in part to lingering perceptions about quality problems as well as styling issues.

"There's no real American product I want, except maybe the Chrysler 300C," said Chicagoan Curtis Patterson while browsing new models Monday at an Orland Park Acura dealership.

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

Hence my saying: stupid americans...

LOL.

They don't even know where the damn car companies are based anymore...

Of course, not surprising since many people in this country don't even have a clue about geography OR american history anymore either.

[caddycruiser]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationw...ack=1&cset=true (need to be registered)

When domestic automakers had their backs to the wall 25 years ago, they could count on a "Buy American" sentiment to keep some customers from defecting to fuel-efficient foreign cars.

Today, many loyal domestic vehicle owners say they would be comfortable buying an import.

Art Spinella, president of CNW Marketing Research, says the confusion over national origin means consumers are less likely to try to help fellow Americans by buying a domestic vehicle.

"Basically, they throw their hands in the air and just buy what they like," Spinella said.

When CNW surveyed shoppers coming out of Wal-Mart stores, 75 percent said they preferred to buy American, yet an inspection of their purchases found that 90 percent were made in China.

For about one-third of car shoppers, where a vehicle is built may be moot because they don't include domestic brands on their shopping lists, according to CNW's research.

That's undoubtedly due in part to lingering perceptions about quality problems as well as styling issues.

"There's no real American product I want, except maybe the Chrysler 300C," said Chicagoan Curtis Patterson while browsing new models Monday at an Orland Park Acura dealership.

Sounds very accurate, especially given recent things that have been said in a few of my college engineering courses. Now one would think that, these being relatively skilled engineering faculty, they'd recognize that there's very little difference in "quality" and reliability between domestics and some foreign cars anymore, and that's mostly true.

Yet, when a professor was talking about a similar issue the other day, he posed the question: "Do any of you drive import cars? Why?" About 1/2 the class raised their hands, and one responded "Well, my mechanic told me to get an import car."... ...really, really bright future Mech. Egr's we have here...

"There's no real American product I want, except maybe the Chrysler 300C," said Chicagoan Curtis Patterson while browsing new models Monday at an Orland Park Acura dealership.

As to this quote specifically, it too seems all too true. That one car is still one of the few that almost everybody would at least consider, just because it's so bold, refined, and priced so well. Still seems to be a winning formula too, almost 2 years after the fact, so that says something...and should be finally answering a few of GM's "What should we do?" questions.

[CaddyXLR-V]

As to this quote specifically, it too seems all too true.  That one car is still one of the few that almost everybody would at least consider, just because it's so bold, refined, and priced so well.  Still seems to be a winning formula too, almost 2 years after the fact, so that says something...and should be finally answering a few of GM's "What should we do?" questions.

I think GM should have been thinking about it in the 90s, instead of waiting 5 years after Chrysler has a big hit. GM needs to start being more aggressive, because obviously their playing it safe isnt making them money. GM needs to just go ahead with a 2+2 compact/midsize RWD coupe and sedan, before everyone else gets to it first. We already know Hyundai is getting into it with the next Tiburon. Maybe if thats a hit GM will finally get their own 5 years later?

[Flybrian]

Yet, when a professor was talking about a similar issue the other day, he posed the question: "Do any of you drive import cars?  Why?" About 1/2 the class raised their hands, and one responded "Well, my mechanic told me to get an import car."... ...really, really bright future Mech. Egr's we have here...

This reminds me of a former neighbor of mine who bought his daughter a 2002 Accord EX coupe because he worked part-time in a Firestone tire garage and he "almost never saw any Hondas come on there."

I bet he doesn't see too many Daihutsus either...

[KillFort]

I ask this:

If patriotism doesn't sell cars today, then why does Toyota insist on using it?

[balthazar]

I would like to read some opinions of those who were loyal import buyers who now buy American, for a change. That would truely be a refreshing change of agenda...

[Ravenfreak13]

well i guess if patriotism don't sell cars then ford is screwing up big time. there's this commercil with some guy saying that ford will "retake" the american road and blahblahblah

[Flybrian]

I ask this:

If patriotism doesn't sell cars today, then why does Toyota insist on using it?

This is true. Toyota advertises its American-built cars, as does Honda and Hyundai.

[Enzora]

If patriotism doesn't sell cars today, then why does Toyota insist on using it?

So if this is true, Toyota's trying to use outdated mentalities to try to sell cars now? Holy crap, they are becoming an American automaker!

[caddycruiser]

This is true. Toyota advertises its American-built cars, as does Honda and Hyundai.

They advertise it, but I really don't think it has one bit of effect. People buy Toyota, Hondas, Hyundais, etc., because, real or fake, the perception is that they're higher quality through and through over the domestics. Saying that some fellow Americans put it together doesn't hurt, but it also doesn't seem to boost anything.

[caddycruiser]

This reminds me of a former neighbor of mine who bought his daughter a 2002 Accord EX coupe because he worked part-time in a Firestone tire garage and he "almost never saw any Hondas come on there."

I bet he doesn't see too many Daihutsus either...

I KNOW. The most shocking part to me was how NO one else in the class even had the slightest bit of reaction to the comment. It was, like I said, a 50/50 split between those who claimed to own an import and those who didn't, but STILL.

That was the first time I ever saw the "perception" in real life action. The professor seemed to get it, and even had a bit of a smile after that comment, but still didn't really say anything towards it not being really true.

[oneIozz]

This reminds me of a former neighbor of mine who bought his daughter a 2002 Accord EX coupe because he worked part-time in a Firestone tire garage and he "almost never saw any Hondas come on there."

I bet he doesn't see too many Daihutsus either...

That comparo doesn't make much sense to me. The number of Daihatsu autos in this country is infintesimal compared to the number of Accords alone. Did this dude just do tires or was that a full service garage?

Maybe I'm just missing the point... Fill me in here guys

Edited February 22, 2006 by oneIozz