More or Less Likely to Buy American Cars?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/12/11/art.auto.a.gi.jpg caption=" Will you buy American?"]
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
It looks like U.S. automakers are going to avoid bankruptcy, at least for now. A bailout for the auto industry cleared the House but faces hurdles in the Senate.
Republican Senators are skeptical that the suits in Detroit will make the necessary changes to turn things around. Simply put, they doubt $14 billion will save the industry. After all, the amount is substantially less than the $34 billion the Big Three U.S. automakers asked for last week. Critics are afraid the $14 billion could be the start of something: that the automakers will be back asking for more in short order.
Grappling continues over amendments that could be the key to getting the bill passed and a test vote in the Senate could come Friday.
If it passes, a "car czar" appointed by the president will oversee the loans and dictate the terms and industry restructuring.
This is all aimed at preventing the automakers from filing bankruptcy. It's supposed to be the better alternative leaving consumers confident enough to still buy cars, at a time when auto sales are down 35%.
Here’s my question to you: Will a government bailout of the auto industry make you more or less likely to buy an American car?
Tune in to the Situation Room at 6pm to see if Jack reads your answer on air.
And, we love to know where you’re writing from, so please include your city and state with your comment.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Jack, if you consider Toyota an American made car then yes, I am more likely to buy an American car.
Jack, I will never buy a car from GM, Chrysler, or Ford after this pathetic display of greed and mismanagement. I will glady buy a Toyota or a Honda. The way I see it, they are more American than the Big Three. The cars are assembled in plants right here in the US, providing thousands of jobs for American workers. I don't want to see another dime go to GM! GM is closing their plant here in Janesville in a couple of weeks, and all I can say now is Good Riddance!!
Jack,
It's a bit like the lottery, the odds of winning are long, but they are infinitely better if you buy a ticket. I am likely to buy a car from an American company if there are any American companies to buy from.
May be if they improve on them. A few years back, I brought a brand new Nissan pickup. I had that truck for about ten years. The only thing I had done to it was change the water pump. I wished I had not sold it.
I does not matter to me. I am a Ford person and will remain so.
Ray Kinserlow
Lubbock, Texas
I have with the exception of one time only (which I regretted ) , bought only American made and brand cars. They have been more reliable and lasted far longer than those of my family or friends who ventured out and bought foreign made vehicles and I will continue to do so.
Everyone will buy under the following scenario.
The American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 allowed Business Owners to deduct heavy vehicles under what is known as a Section 179 Accelerated Tax Deduction. This is part of the reason there are so many Hummers on our roads. Perhaps the government might allow an ordinary citizen a similar tax deduction for a vehicle that meets certain high efficiency standards and purchased only from US Auto Makers. Imagine how many Volts GM might sell if the purchase price of the vehicle could be deducted from your income tax in the year it was placed into service. Too expensive you say. Perhaps. Then how about a rebate program? Under this scenario, everone filing a tax return would pay $2 or $3 dollars into a rebate pool. The money would then become available on a first come first serve basis for purchasers of efficent US autos.
Never. Why should I spend my hard earned money and after paying the world's highest taxes on those gas guzzling,50K mile cars. Every single American know and agree with me that once it crosses 50K mile mark any American car is a piece of junk can die any moment.
I was born in America, thankfully. I live in America, gratefully. I support Americans wholeheartedly. I buy American made products faithfully. When did this become a bad idea?
No math required there. I've purchased only Japanese vehicles for the past 25 years and the current status of the US Auto Industry only further supports why I do not purchase American made automobiles. They are and have been junk for several decades now. I do not have the money or the time to be inconvenienced with for the parts and the frequent unwarranted auto repairs that American automobiles are very notorious for. Between this, the fact that American CEO's and UAW auto workers are over paid, why would I even want to go there??? There are for more fun and cost effective forms of self torture available in this country.
I worked for ford motor company my son and daughter went to go to colleged I told both of them how ford aloud us to help them to go to school my dauther still wont own anything but a ford .My son just out of college bought a honda I wouldnt let him park in our drive wayI have always been a democrat he came out of school being a republican .God bless both with good jobs.so what is is
Jack!
When ever American Auto Compnaies start making cars like TOYOTA or HONDA like quality wise then they have chance to compete
with them.
Jack,
I don't know if the bailout will help or not. All I know is my 2002 Chrysler runs really well but is getting old. Frankly I was looking forward to buy ing a new one in another year or so. I would really hate to see that ONE of the BIG THREE go under...
Mertis in Atlanta
Jack – Yes. I will buy American if the price is right , gets good reviews and has the comfort level I need. The same reasons I always use when buying a car. I own 2 Toyotas and a GM SUV. The SUV has had the most problems in terms of wear. It is also more expensive to repair. There is your bottom line. The overall cost of ownership is still higher with American cars.
Probably less likely. I don't think this bailout is going to work. It will take a lot more money to turn the auto industry into a successful,selfsupporting industry again. I lack the confidence that they will be around when my car will need parts to fix it.
The US auto industry keep losing market share because they don't keep up with the times.. When they build gas electric cars or cars that run on sugar cane and the government gives us more sugar cane gas at the pump, I'll buy American.. Other than that it's BENZ all the way for me..
If they use the bailout money correctly, and show some respect for the little middle-class taxpayers whose money they will be using to stay afloat. If the quality of their vehicles can meet or beat those of Toyota and Honda, and if the price is right.
i feel the gas compamies got us into this whole crisis withe ther 4.25 a gallon gas, and heating oil,,,let them bail the auto industry out...they had a free ride for years thanks to Presiden Bush and the republicans,,what do you think....watch you just about everyday,,enjoy you segments,,,jim brennan.
Hi Jack:
What would a govt. bailout have to do with if I buy a car? I have a faily new Chevy. So I don't need one. I think a govt. bail out is the worng thingg to do. It seems that since the govt. started handing money to the banks. Everyone has their hand out. Including the City of Phoenix. John McCains state of Arizona.
Why are we bailing out the folks that don't need the money. Who is going to bail out the poor and middle class working slob?
Ron San diego
It would make me less likely to buy an American car.
Jack, I just purchased my sixth new Saturn in April - now, GM is talking about bailing on Saturn, while they want us to bail them out with our tax dollars. I'm furious. I don't even know if my warranty will hold if they do this.
I have had two other American cars - a Ford and a Chevy. Both were disasters that fell apart within months and had to be traded in.
Saturn is the only American car I've ever had that worked. If GM writes Saturn off, I'm writing GM off.
Less. I want a boxy little car that goes 50 mph and plugs into the wall, and dos`nt cost a fortune. But americans are to good for that.
I have always bought American cars and I have always had good luck. I think as Americans we have a duty to buy products made here whenever possible. If only the businesses wanted to keep the jobs here we would not be in the shape we are now.
Bailing out the auto industry is not going to make me more likely to buy American or even from an auto mfg. from the moon since what it takes is money and jobs give me money. What it will take is jobs for any of us to buy anything.
You can give the auto companies all the money in the world to stay alive but if no one has the money to buy them they will still fail and I will still be riding my sons bicycle.
Jack, there is nothing I would love better to do than buy 'American'. I fought common sense the last time I bouht a car and bought 'American'.... But if one is looking for value for their dollar, the cars to buy are Japanese... I have 90K on my American car now and every start, my heart is in my throat... My daughter has over 125K on her Japanese car and it is humming away like she just drove it out of the showroom.
Our auto makers have just been adding new models instead of building better cars.... Bad business plan.
Yes it will. I have always bought American cars. We need to help our country's factories or there will be no jobs. They will all be in Asia, and Mexico.
I'm not planning on buying a new car for several years.
I am curious about one thing. It appears that the strongest resistance to a U.S. auto bailout is coming from senators that have Toyota and/or Honda plants in their states. Is there a conflict of interest? Hmmm....
Jack, one of the major problems with the American Automotive industry is their competition. We all know that part of a successful business is about being competitive.
The U.S. auto industry has been challenged by mainly three foreign auto manufacturers: Toyota, Honda and Nissan. Pick up the maintenance records from the reputable consumers' watchdog (Consumers Report), and you will see that we have good workers producing bad cars. The main objective of the foreign manufacturers has always been: Do it right the first time and make the product last.
Owner of a 2001 Toyota and a 1999 Honda (still going strong)
Capitalist Market has shown us that great companies fail and new stronger emerge. GM is not an exception. Congress should allow GM and other to fail; some of them will not die but come up with good competitive products as a result strengthen our capitalism.
The politics of unemployment does not hold water because if there is market for cars, the automobile companies will absolve the labor or the sickening companies. ECONOMICS 101.
If they go bankrupt I will never buy American!
Why would anyone buy a car that is being built with sub-standard parts, angry employees and management that makes money when they sell the dog of a company.
Close out specials.....not worth it.
Whether our government decides to bail the Big Three out or not it will have absolutely no influence my decision when I buy a car. Which vehicle I choose to buy will be based entirely upon its merits and its cost. It is the value of the car that matters to me.
Less likely because I've yet to see their "Car of Tomorrow". I've yet to see it because they not only don't have it but it's not even on their drawing board! The Big 3 are done. Stick a fork in 'em. They deserve to go and we should not continue to pour good money down a rat hole.
My cars have always been GM. I've always felt that I should be supporting my country's economy and not another's. On the other hand, though, why can't the big American companies make cars that are as good as foreign cars? I'm hopeful this "Car Czar" will help change that statistic. Can we just make sure that Bushy Boy doesn't appoint the first Car Czar? I'd rather get this thing off to a good start.
I'm likely to consider buying an American car when my Honda wears out ....but then again, it may not be any time soon. HA HA HA HA
New Freedom, PA
Oh yah you bet! Instead of driving my 2 door car that gets 25 mpg I am going to turn around and buy a brand new SUV or truck that gets 10 mpg, just because the government is giving a bailout to the industry and not me the consumer. Ridiculous!!
Well Jack, since my last 8 car purchases were: Toyota, Toyota, Toyota, Honda, Hona, Suburu, Suburu, Suburu; I kind of doubt it.
I and no-one I know can afford to buy anything. Buying food and paying bills are the priorities of the day. And if we can, we should all start saving for our retirements or emergencies. There are enough cars in the country already, but I would consider a car that runs on water for 5 grand.
I've owned only two American cars in my life, and that was when I was young and broke. Unfortunately, the American auto industry continues to produce inferior products, both in terms of safety, performance and environmental consciousness and yet our government just rewarded them for their greed and incompetence. As sure as they'll be back for more whether we buy their product or not., I won't be.
I have purchased Japanese autos for most of my adult life. The last American car I owned was a Dodge Van. It was a worthless piece of garbage and the dealer did everything he could to rip me off. As far as I am concerned the demise of the American Auto industry will be fine. I just feel sorry for these overpaid workers who have been producing these poor products for years.
If I thought that buying a so-called American car would help the American people I would not hesitate to do so. However, how do you define Amrican? Is American a company that invests significant amounts of money into the American economy to create jobs and opportunity or is an American company one that has headquarters here with overpaid employees from the CEO to the shop floor and seeks every opportunity to shift jobs and opportunity to foreign countries? In my mind when I buy a Toyota or Honda product I am buying from a company that has made the greatest commitment to America.
I like small cars. GM makes very nice big cars. I like cars that don't burn much gas. My husband's Ford van caught fire three times. Detroit lost my whole family's business during the oil embargo in the 70's. First on gas mileage, then on quality. The quality has improved, but mileage has a ways to go. I need a compelling reason to buy Detroit transportation again. A bailout isn't one.
Jack,
I've moved on to the Japanese a long time ago. I only want the bailout as we really don't need Obama's job to be harder when he gets in. That's 3 million jobs he doesn't have to worry about.
More likely!! I am much more aware of how important it is to have manufacturing in America!! Who will buy any cars, foreign or domestic, if no one has a job? Congress should realize that it is the middle class that pays taxws, including their salaries! Without manufacturing jobs, the middle class is obsolete!!!
No, my family used to pride ourselves on buying American cars and then in the 80's the quality got so horrible we as whole family switched to American made Honda's and have never had a problem since. They've had 20+ years to fix their problems and get us back, but we'll just wait till' Honda buys them, so we can buy "American" again!
No other companies besides GM and Ford have turned mediocre cars into well-above average ones!I won't buy another Japanese car,even used ones like before. The problems started in the very early eighties, after emission control action.It took an honest decade to catch back up?Try putting 2 wide body kids in the back of one of those small imports or hybrids.Guess what the gas mileage is then? Ask Dick Shelby if any of the foreign-owned auto companies in his state were once partnered with their governments'? Giving tax breaks to companies formerly tied to foreign goverments, and not to our own companies??
It doesn't matter. I don't have money to buy a car. ... But if I did, I WOULD look at American-made cars. I guess looking is a beginning, right?
Not until the American car manufacturers move up to the 21st century and offer cars that we want. Currently I drive a Chevy, and would not buy another. I’ve also owned a Ford. Neither compare with the reliability, ease of repair, or gas milage I’ve gotten from my two Fiats and two Izusus. Somewhat fewer bells and whistles, fewer electronic gadgets that cost a fortune and are difficult to replace, better engine efficiency and less pollutants, plus better gas milage would be nice — and finding one that doesn’t cost what a small house does would be even better!
To me, the question is irrelevant. I haven't EVER owned an American car. Both my husband and I have always driven foreign-manufactured vehicles–not because we don't support U.S. industry but because we have always wanted to drive fuel-efficient small cars. Our current sedan is a VW Passat TDI (diesel), which gets 45 mpg on the highway. (We also keep cars for 8 to 10 years, and, until recently, U.S. automobiles didn't have the quality to allow that kind of durability.)
St. Cloud, MN
Instead of bailing out the auto industry , Maybe they should invest the money and rebuild some of our highways, How about instead of the bailout we spend the money and buy a new car for every family in the U.S. That should help out the car industries and the people, then we would know how the money was spent. Gary Mn.
I normally would buy any car that I liked. It did not matter where it was made nor would I have considered the financial status of the company. But, now I am retired and GeoW stole my retirement money so no cars for me.
Jack-
The bailout is not likely to make me buy an American car–It is IF the American Car makers MAKE cars that will determine that decision. In this town when you go to the car dealerships what you find are Trucks, Jeeps, and Mommy assult vehicles (SUVs). Very rarely do you find a CAR. I went all the way across the state to buy a Saturn (fairly priced and reliable). I find it interesting that GM plans to drop Saturn but keep Buick & Cadillac (the higher priced car lines). Once again the poor taking the hit to subsidize the wealthy.
I would buy American because our country needs it. I spent thirty years working for a Non-US carmaker. I can tell you that the quality in American cars is real. They were my competition and were tough to stay with especially over the last ten years.
I can't wait to buy a Prius. If only the plug in model would get here...
Jack, I don't care how much money they give them, I will not buy an American car. First of all, I no longer have a job just like the many of the people they want to sell to. How about bailing out the American people, struggling to pay their mortgages? Somebody better do something soon, or we are headed to becoming like a third world country, where people are either very rich or poor and poorer.
Let me check my list of items I consider when buying a car: cost; MPG; reliability; past customer complaints. Nope, don't see "where product is made" on list. For people who do have that on their list, well, I have an old Edsel they might be interested in buying.
My neighbor has a '67 Ford half-ton pickup for sale...sounds like an old war-horse when it starts up, and even has "three on the tree"(steering column shifter)...He wants six hundred bucks for it, so yeah, I am going to buy American for the first time.
Jack, Even if the Government do bail them out (and i hope they don't), i would not buy another American car again. As far as i am concern, buying a foreign car is the way to go. It might cost more, but i like the "reliability". I really believe, "You pay for what you get".
Jack, three new cars in my lifetime were bought, two American. No I'll not be buying a new car anytime soon. No job for a year almost. I'll be sleeping in my car with my underage daughter and running from the repossesser if something doesn't change.
That's a simple answer :
After getting burnt with purchasing GM & Ford Products, bringing my Trucks & Autos in everytime I turn around, I've been purchasing
Toyotas, where I don't have to worry about bringing my Autos into
the Shop, at least til it has 100 thousand miles on them...
Larry C.
Houston, Texas
If there is a "bailout" of the automobile industry I will be more likely to purchase an American Car.
A "bailout" will create a debtor-creditor relationship between the American auto industry and the American taxpayers. If the products are relatively equal in quality (a big "if") it is an obvious good business practice for a creditor to patronize a debtor rather buy from the debtors competitiion.
Bob Louisville
Only if they go green
I have give up on U.S. automakers years ago. I don't care what kind of care it is as along as it gets me from point A to point B. If anything, I would buy a Toyota or Honda over GM, Ford or Chrysler.
we've always bought american, and will continue to do so whenever possible.
The bailout itself won't affect my decision to buy an American car. My next car purchase will be an alternate energy fuel powered car or an electric car that will run independent of gas or oil from foreign sources If American automakers don't or won't produce these types of vehicles, then they won't get my business.
For years people took pride in buying stuff made in the USA because they considered it doing their part for their country and helping out their neighbor. The big three do make fuel efficient models, hybrids, etc., just like foreign car makers, so I don't understand all the whining about gas guzzlers. It seems simple to me; Buy american cars, support american jobs. Buy foreign cars, don't whine when american manufacturers go under. To answer your question, I will buy american made everything, regardless of the bailout.
When it comes to cars Jack, I take what I can afford. Having lived a life of abject poverty, I've never had the pleasure of purchasing a new car. My first sled was a 15 year old rust-white Ford Fairlane named Fred. Fred came complete with custom passive air conditioning provided by gaping holes in his floorboards thanks to a decade of road salt exposure. I drove old Fred into the road, until he died one day on the Dan Ryan Expressway during the afternoon rush hour. Today, I drive Betsy, a faded-blue 1992 4-speed Toyota Tercel. Even after nearly a half-million miles, she gets great gas mileage, but she burns more oil than gas. Unless the government is willing to bail me out, I'll be driving poor Betsy to her grave.
I will never consider buying a foreign car. I know where my roots and loyaties reside, and I know who has allowed me to go to college and grow up comfortably for the last 21 years.
AJ
Lansing, MI
PS If the auto industry fails, I dare every congressman to come to Detroit, Lansing, or Flint?
I don't appreciate the fact that the big three need a bailout, there is a reason they aren't making money and that is they aren't making any changes. It's 2008 we need fuel efficient cars. So my answer is no, it's time for a change. We need to lead this world with innovation and "out of the box" mentality not "dumb as you wanna be"
If the Big 3 start making high quality, alternate-fuel cars, then yes, I would definitely consider buying an American-made car when my Corolla wears out. I want to support our country and economy. And given current conditions, I'm not sure they would survive bankruptcy so I'm hoping Congress will pass the bailout and save these manufacturers and jobs.
BUT, they will really have to work hard to win me over. My Corolla is almost 10 years old, and I've only had it in the shop twice, both for minor things. I'm pretty loyal to Toyota, but I'm hoping the Big 3 will earn my business.
I have not bought an American car in 25+ years. Why would I buy one now from a BANKRUPT, mis-managed company?
I will probably buy an American car regardless, as they represent a good value compared to foreign models. However, this Congress is proving to be about as effective as a Yugo, as they continue to prove their sub-20% approval rating is still too high.
The solution is easy. No car loans for foreign cars for less than 16%, and American car loans at 2%. Two solutions for the price of one. Revive the car industry, and get American bank money flowing again. Just do it.
I own a 1950 Mercury. America was built on the US car industry and it's surrounding industries. Only a fool would allow that legacy and heritage to disappear. But McConnell seems intent on doing just that for the sake of a campaign donation. Hey Mitch, Show me a 1950 Acura.
I have one of those big gas sucking GM trucks that gets me 10-15 MPG, depending on whether or not I am hogging the road while towing my big travel trailer. I'm gonna drive it for the next 200k miles til it finally stops running. And then I'm gonna buy another one. By then, they will have made a hybrid truck that gets 70 MPG, and people will finally stop suggesting that I am un-American for buying an American vehicle. I will always buy american! I admit the guys running the "Big 3" now are dorks. But all 3 companies will eventually re-org and re-ermerge as the technological giants they once were, and we'll all be proud to drive American! That's the way America works!
(This is where Lee Greenwood pulls up in his pick-em-up truck with a gun rack in the back window and starts to sing "I'm Proud To Be An American!!!")
After owning 5 American made cars I got tired of being on the side of the road and paying repair bill after repair bill...I only buy and will continue to buy Toyota or Subaru...American car makers had 5 chance and blew everyone of them.
Most 'foreign' cars are built in North America.
Alot of the car parts are produced here as well. By not buying a car made by the 'Big three' automakers you are sending a signal that you are interested in fuel efficiency, styling, safety, and value. The foreign companies have gotten the message years ago. The 'Big' three didn't. Letting one or two of these guys fail will in the end result in more cars being built in North America by the foreign owned companies to take up the slack. Built by North American workers, supplied by North American auto parts companies. All those jobs lost will be replaced by jobs gained.
Jack, if I had a job I'd buy a car – probably an American car – and if I had a car maybe I could get a job. Maybe the government could bail out me – and the auto industry – just by buying American cars for all the two million unemployed Americans. Two million times twenty-thousand or so – that's less than 15 billion, isn't it?
Come Jack, Its less likely for me to buy an american car because the american car arent as good as the foreign cars, the foreign cars like toyota gets good gas mileage,while the american car gets stuck at the gas station, where has the american automobile has gone, we use to the car creating machine,So I dont think the bailout isnt the right thing to do, its just rewarding bad creation and know sort of miracle for the american car Ceo's dont need a bailout,the works do Jack!
As a retired GM employee, I can only hope that the Senate makes the correct decision to assist the auto companies. If GM, for one, has to file bankruptcy, all is not well. What about the unpaid creditors of GM? It costs $ to file bankruptcy; processes halt; supply lines stop; you think you have unemployment now? Just wait.....then when the unemployment runs out, how about Medicaid; food stamps; who pays this? What about taxes; talk about foreclosures now, just hide and watch.
No $, no gas; no gas no taxes for roads; no taxes for schools; no taxes for infrastructure; can't buy groceries; takes kids out of private schools; quit health club; no eating out.....it will go on and on and on.
However; just let the wall street hustlers ask for $ and you willing give the fraud experts all they want. And that is what I call it, fraud....fixing loans, reselling trash....knowingly committing fraud....and you gave them all they wanted. What a country.
MCain, Little Rock, Arkansas
In the 70's and 80's the auto makers opened the door to foreign cars by making a terrible product and backed it up with arrogance. Today they are paying for these actions.
However, in my 60 years I have never bought a foreign car, there has always been a model available to match any foreign car sold in the U.S., especially in today's market. Not everyone needs to buy SUVs or trucks.
So I agree there was cause to buy foreign up to a decade ago, but imagine if everyone who bought a car this year bought American. There would be no need for a bailout or bankruptcy.
No, Jack, the government bailout of the auto industry will not more likely to buy a new American car. I'm content driving my reliable, fuel efficient, 11-year-old Toyota Corolla with over 163,000 miles on it without any major repair work on the engine or transmission. The government bailout of the mortgage banks won't cause me to rush out and buy a house, I can't afford to pay cash for, on credit either.
Brownwood, Texas
Jack If I could find a Job and some security I would love to buy me a new Corvette or viper or id settle for a Challenger , or a mustang or a Shelby or even a new Harley Davidson, I myself could not buy a Foreign made car or bike or even a truck its buy American all the way in food what ever in this house hold be American Buy American I guess its like my dependents counts on me supporting American workers jack
Jack-I've tried for over a decade to find just one American auto that matches the great design, zippy acceleration and handling, and fuel economy of my Honda Civic–ain't seen nothing yet to compare.
I can't afford a new car at the moment, but bankruptcy wouldn't make me think any different, if I could afford one. I would look for the best fuel economy available in this country. My real preference would be to purchase that new Indian made compressed air vehicle, which isn't going to be allowed to be sold in America. That is real ingenuity, using compressed air. That is proof that a vehicle can be built that will leave the minimum of a footprint on the environment. This is proof that the oil companies have a tight grip on the automakers that sell vehicles in America and won't let loose. What a shame. That is what's holding them all down.
If the badly managed American car companies would focus on making affordable and fuel-efficient vehicles (as the Japanese seem to have no trouble doing), then I would buy an American-made car. But, for now, they are putting out overpriced crapmobiles and I say nuts to that. I'm very happy with my eight-year-old Nissan, thank you very much.
Norah
Ocala, FL
My terms for an auto bailout would be that every liscensed driver in the country get a FREE CAR of their choice from the domestic manufacturers. Sounds fair to me if they are going to put my great-grandkids in debt. Maybe it should come with a 50 year bumper to bumper warranty. Ya think?
Let's be honest, the only really old cars you see left on the road are good ol American made. The foreign ones may not be junk but how often do you see a twenty year old foreign car driving around?
Jack, the last GM SUV that we rented on a business trip go 12 miles to the gallon. No reorganizing shell game is going change the core Americah principles of big, aggressive, and gas guzzling to small, green and gas lean. It is time to let the big 3 become the big 0.
You mean like an American made Toyota or an American made Honda, that our government literally pays to build cars here?
Hi Jack:
What would a govt. bailout have to do with if I buy a car? I have a fairly new Chevy. So I don’t need one. I think a govt. bail out is the wrong approach. It seems that since the govt. started handing money to the banks. Everyone has their hand out. Including the City of Phoenix. John McCains state of Arizona.
Why are we bailing out the folks that don’t need the money? Who is going to bail out the poor and middle class working slob?
Ron San diego
Detroit is the birthplace of planned obsolecense, that's why they are in the mess they are in. My days of buying Detroit Iron were over a long time ago for that very reason. No amount of bail out will ever change their logic.
Jack,
Who can afford to buy a new car?
By the way, I had a chevy . After 66,000 miles it was falling apart, inside and out. I later bought a used toyota with 100,000 miles. It is still going strong and the inside is as strong and sound as the outside. By the way it now has over 200,000 miles on it . I will buy another toyota if I ever have enough money to buy another car.
Kathy
The bailout will not influence me whatsoever. What will make me more likely to buy any car, American or foreign, is the gas mileage, maintenance, and customer support available for my vehicle. If the big three can work those elements into their plans, then we'll have a talking point. If they end up disappearing because of non-support, it will be up to the other car manufacturers to meet that standard. It's pure economics–if they have something I can buy that meets my needs, they'll have my business.
I will buy an American car when they are as good as the Japanese cars. The U.S. auto industy's method is to say that they are as good as Hondas and Toyotas over and over in the hopes that if they say it enough it will become true. Now they need to be bailed out...again. The Japanese have the word "Kaizen", which calls for never ending strides for continuous improvement. The U.S. auto industry has no such philosophy. This bailout is my contribution to the Big Three.
I would buy a Toyota, but I intend to keep my truck until I die. I would never buy an American car, but it has nothing to do with the current situation. I just don't like them.
People need jobs and credit to buy cars. American car companies have been building cars that people wanted. Gas prices changed many minds about what thy can afford, now that gas prices are lower they will buy big cars when they can afford them.
This is tthe only country in the world where it is status to buy foriegn things not only cars, Lets start buying American. Then things will get better.
Buying American made is a good idea if you can get a quality product. However, I am not buying a piece of junk with four tires just because it was made in Detroit so some fat-cat Auto-Exec and an over paid assembly line worker can make ridiculous wages at my expense. I will buy foreign!
I will buy the better made, highest MPG, longest warranteed, safest, and most AFFORDABLE vehicles produced! No matter where they come from or who makes them! American made? That , today is a misnomer. The Big 3 had better get their collective heads out of that dark place and become affordable again and government had better distance itself from corporate socialism and bedding down with them.
Thom
Negaunee, MI
In this economy, who can afford to buy a car?
I am a die hard Saturn (made by GM) lover! I've had 5, my sister 2 and my other sister 1. We are a Saturn family and plan to stay loyal.
There is one primary reason why American drivers have been buying foreign cars: durability. Research and simple observation shows that Americans are keeping their cars longer. American car manufacturers have to re-evaluate their worn out business model of "Planned Obsolescence" to make money on parts, repairs and trade-ins. It's nice that the big three CEOs are willing to reduce their salaries to one dollar a year, but the problem is not their salaries, it's their thinking or lack there-of. Any bailout deal should begin their resignations.
We stopped buying American when my "American made" car
started literally falling apart with less than 70,000 miles on it..even when it
was well maintained...catalytic converter, front seat collapsing (none
of us are overweight!) etc.... Since then we have owned 6 Toyotas
and have never had any problems with any of them. All of the
cars have had over 125,000 before we replaced them with
newer Toyotas. Quality in the long run is the key.
Logic about fuel efficiency, green factor, safety and cost are my determining factors in buying a car. American car dealers need to produce products that are still great on the eye – but don't only appeal to ego. By the way, if the american auto industry wants to be a customer and borrow money, why don't the banks loan them the money? You know, what goes around comes around. (New Market, Md.)
I will not buy an american car until they start to make them to last, and give good mileage first. My past two chevys gave me more miles going up and down on the lift getting repairs then i was getting driving down the road. I bought a Camry and i havent been back to the dealer since i bought it 3 years ago. The union workers can only build a car with what they give to them to build with. Its not their fault for putting bad parts in the cars they build. Its the planners who design them!
I will not buy an american car until they start to make them to last, and give good mileage first. My past two chevys gave me more miles going up and down on the lift getting repairs then i was getting driving down the road. I bought a Camry and i havent been back to the dealer since i bought it 3 years ago. The union workers can only build a car with what they give to them to build with. Its not their fault for putting bad parts in the cars they build. Its the planners who design them!
Terry , Piscataway, NJ
I will never again buy a car from the big three again The last seven new vehicles that I have bought have been toyotas. The reason for toyotas is that I don't like spending my free time getting a vehicle worked on.
Our "American made" car started falling apart at 68,000...catalytic
converter, front seat colllapsing etc. Since then we have had
6 Toyotas...none of which had any major problems or "surprises"
...on trade-in we had at least 135,000 miles on each of them.
Quality wins out in the long run...if the big Three had been concerned
with quality for the last twenty years they would not be looking for
a handout...quality not only in the product made but in the
quality of the people running the companies.
Wouldn't make a difference! I won't buy an American car until they learn how to build one that lasts! They're overpaid and because of Unions, really don't care what rolls off the line.
FORD is Fix Or Repair Daily
GM is Gods Mechanical Curse
They need to take a page from Toyota, Honda and a few others books.
i would buy a american made car if the big 3 auto makers would make a better product but right now the foreign car makers out do us
I'll look at any manufacturer as long as they are building a quality automobile for the right price. However, if they are not financially sound, I don't care how good their products are, I'm not going to get stuck with something that has no support. It's bad enough when things go wrong with a car these days to get it fixed. Imagine that if the manufacturer no longer is in business.
What is an American car? One built in America by Americans. Regardless of the bailout, I will buy an American car, a Honda. The quality, safety and efficiency, hasn't remotely been matched by the Detroit three. And yes American's do build them.
Also do your homework, most of the Detroit three's are hardly built by Americans. Perhaps assembled, but hardly built here.
If they bring up the quality and miles per gallon, I might consider it. I live in San Francisco with excellent public transportation and haven't owned a car in 12 years, but it isn't the $200 a month for a garage to park it in, it's the fact that the Big-3 are as out of touch with the auto market as George Bush is with most any topic. I grew up in Michigan and have always bought American cars. Now I only rent them.
I believe all three companies have learned a lesson and a big scare.Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you know what's important for you as well as the American people. They will take this money and regroup and use it more wisely than you can imagine. JD,FT. Worth, TX.
It won't make any difference at all. I can't afford to buy any kind of car.
When the economy and housing values and my 401K stabilizes, I promise to buy An American car. We already have a GMC truck which has over 110,00 miles, and it hasn't had any quality problems. The 2 minor problems it had were covered under warranty. I am sorry so many people here won't even give them a chance – you can't compare a car you had 10 or 20 years ago with the quality of today.