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One of my Mercedes starts with a "4"... built in Alabama. They're a German manufacturer obviously, but that doesn't mean they always use the typical country code (W) associated with Germany.
A car built in the US can have a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as the first digit, though typically 2 and 3 are for Mexico and Canada.
Got any examples of a Mexican made car with a VIN starting with anything but a 3?
If not then you are wrong! I stated what 1, 2 and 3 meant........
One of my Mercedes starts with a "4"... built in Alabama. They're a German manufacturer obviously, but that doesn't mean they always use the typical country code (W) associated with Germany.
A car built in the US can have a 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 as the first digit, though typically 2 and 3 are for Mexico and Canada.
Country of Origin Character Codes
The 1st character in a car's vehicle identification number indicates the country in which it was manufactured.
Some of the country codes include:
Native Detroiter here...long gone to other local(s)
Canada
The US auto makers had some problems with the drug cartels in Mexico in the past. Mexico is a bit of a tinder box when it comes to crime and manufacturing concerns.
Those factories are tough places wherever they are located, in Mexico, it is much worse.
Same parts. Same technology. Same equipment assembling the vehicles. As long as it runs well and isn't a money pit, it could be made on the moon for all I care.
Oh and you better check your parts. Many are not made where the vehicle is assembled.
Got any examples of a Mexican made car with a VIN starting with anything but a 3?
If not then you are wrong! I stated what 1, 2 and 3 meant........
No I don't. The point was, your statement was not entirely correct. It's not as simple as you claimed it to be, as other codes besides just a 1 could be made in the United States. Here's one for you too.
No I don't. The point was, your statement was not entirely correct. It's not as simple as you claimed it to be, as other codes besides just a 1 could be made in the United States. Here's one for you too.
Ok, his post was not inclusive of all possibilities but it was not incorrect in what it said. If it starts with a 1, it was assembled in USA. Disagree? If it starts with a 2, it was assembled in Mexico. Disagree? (if so, show proof) If it starts with a 3, it was assembled in Canada. Disagree? (if so, show proof)
Ok, his post was not inclusive of all possibilities but it was not incorrect in what it said. If it starts with a 1, it was assembled in USA. Disagree? If it starts with a 2, it was assembled in Mexico. Disagree? (if so, show proof) If it starts with a 3, it was assembled in Canada. Disagree? (if so, show proof)
A Reuters article from 2015 said, "American automakers pay Mexican workers $8 to $10 per hour, including benefits."
A more recent Reuters article from earlier this month reported: "Mexican auto workers earn average hourly wages of less than $6 excluding benefits."
That is not a lot of money, but the cost of living is also much, much lower in Mexico.
The benefits are also more substantial. They also tend to use more workers to do things, but that varies with the task. What they do not have is the dumb union rules where a company has to hire workers to sit around doing nothing. I think that is gone here now too, not positive. Also they do nto have the classification issues where if someone spills something on the line, they have to shut the line down for half an hour for a janitor union guy to come clean it up rather than the guy who spilled it just getting a mop or towel and cleaning it up in 30 seconds.
The interesting thing is, for the most part, the Mexican workers are more happy with their pay/benefits package than the US worker is with significantly higher pay. 'Hooray $6 an hour, I am so happy." Versus "What? Only $22 an hour? cheap Btards, I am going to get them." Cost of living and worker expectations have a huge impact. It is not just a lower cost of living, but a lower standard of living. Mexican workers have lower living expenses, but they also do not feel they need two snowmobile, two ATVs a boat, at least three televisions and computers, a $1000 smartphone, and a $2000 shotgun to be happy. Not saying the Mexcian or Americans do not deserve the higher standard of living, only that their expectations tend to be lower in Mexico because a lower standard of living is the norm, so they are not trying to keep up with as wealthy of Jones's
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