Buy American Car Produced in Mexico or Foreign Car Produced in Ohio? (incorporated, financing)

[millennialmom]

I put a question like this out on the Detroit thread and have drawn a variety of responses. It seems there would be a definite answer as to which choice would have a better impact on the American economy; buying foreign and keeping Americans working or, buy American that was produced in Mexico with profits to the domestic auto company? Anyone ever look at this situation?

[Stac2007]

Originally Posted by millennialmom

I put a question like this out on the Detroit thread and have drawn a variety of responses. It seems there would be a definite answer as to which choice would have a better impact on the American economy; buying foreign and keeping Americans working or, buy American that was produced in Mexico with profits to the domestic auto company? Anyone ever look at this situation?

Both sticks. A car might be made in Mexico but it does nothing for the U.S. labor market. They might as well go out of business.

[f_m]

Well, you have to choose for yourself. However, consider that if the people are employed live in your area, which is going to be better? As an example, there is a TV company that is based in the US, but only employs about 100 people (importing all products), while a company that is non-US but employs around 2000 people in the US (also imports most products).

Profits to a domestic company doesn't really mean what you think if they are spending the money outside (building external factories, financing external divisions). However, in the case of the car companies, they are paying the benefits of the retired worker with profits, but at the expense of the current worker.

[texdav]

In the end it really depends on which is the better vehicle buy overall. We have seen what buying vehicles based on national brand has done to our domestic makers and the people that work for them.

[GregW]

I'll likely buy a Subaru made in Indianna.

[sonarrat]

Even if it's assembled in Mexico it still supports American suppliers. My Hermosillo-built Ford Fusion has 30% domestic content.

Furthermore, the Hermosillo plant is more advanced than the American plants and they produce a better quality product. It was a joint effort with Mazda, and they incorporated elements of the Japanese "lean production" system. At times it has been Ford's top-ranked plant for quality, higher than any of the domestic ones. It's also a very clean and efficient plant. I have no shame in saying my Ford was built in Mexico.

[Ripley6174]

You could argue the buy American folks have ruined the auto industry in America with their blind loyalty.