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10/04/2024 9:44 am
@bob-jackman I do recall feeling rather guilty about focusing my car purchases (which were very many) on Japanese products as traditionally I absolutely supported the importance of buying domestic products. I also recall slowly getting frustrated, then plain angry over some of the garbage being produced by our domestic car companies commencing in the early 1970s. I recall working as a grease monkey at a Lincoln-Mercury dealership as a young lad, starting in 1969 (I had quit school early...lol). I recall that the cars I serviced plus other American/Canadian marques I was well acquainted with, were IMHO well built and dependable vehicles...I loved them. Like many other people on this forum I was a car enthusiast to my core and so always examined the new cars and trucks that arrived every September in the showrooms and also monitored them as they aged. As the 1970s rolled on I was very dismayed to see the decline of build quality in the cars I loved and it seemed to worsen with every passing year. At this time, as I got older and more budget conscious, I began to appreciate the ever-increasing cost of car repairs and as I experienced having to pay for all too frequent repairs that I realized were the result of poor engineering and build quality, I began to lose my allegiance to buying American cars. Quite simply, I got mad at those car companies because it felt like they were without conscience taking advantage of the average Joe by selling inferior products for big money. That reality, combined with the gas crisis we all recall, drove me to setting aside my allegiance and going to what proved to be better built and more efficient Japanese vehicles. Looking back at the 70's and 80's from this perspective I realize that my thoughts were somewhat the norm for most North American motorists. The cold reality is that sadly the North American car makers got what they deserved and as I stated yesterday, it is incredible that they could have been so arrogant and out of touch to not have seen the threat to their well being coming from Japan.
Steve Jacobs and Christopher Moroni reacted
10/04/2024 9:53 am
@jack-dodds, I have one word for you, W. Edwards Deming.
Thanks for this reminder JK. It reminds me of the trade union issues that contributed to the QC problems discussed here. The "us vs. them" employee/employer attitude and how destructive it can be.
Deming's theory of management details the steps that must be taken to transform a company's quality culture. It is a theory that means it is insufficient to simply solve problems that arise. A culture of continuous improvement must be established and maintained with the overall goal of achieving customer satisfaction.
10/04/2024 11:08 am
A culture of continuous improvement must be established and maintained with the overall goal of achieving customer satisfaction.
...again, I can and have written about this many times. The bottom line: When you think you have no problems, you have problems!
10/04/2024 11:21 am
A culture of continuous improvement must be established and maintained with the overall goal of achieving customer satisfaction.
...again, I can and have written about this many times. The bottom line: When you think you have no problems, you have problems!
I think it was Roger Kaputnik who stated, "If you're happy to coast you have no reason to boast......" 
John Kuvakas and Steve Jacobs reacted
Topic starter
10/04/2024 11:29 am
@bob-jackman, as I know you know, "Buy American" has changed. With most manufacturing being accomplished here, almost all makes are bolstering our economy. Nearly all formerly non-domestic manufacturers are now incorporated here in North America. For the last ten years or so, the car with the most American content has been the Toyota Camry. You can buy a new Chevy or Ford and think you're buying American, but it's likely it was built in Mexico. Here's an eye-opening article concerning the top 100 vehicles ranked by their American content. Check the list and see where the traditionally thought-to-be domestic nameplates show up. Meanwhile, check out this map.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Steve Jacobs reacted
10/04/2024 11:46 am
A culture of continuous improvement must be established and maintained with the overall goal of achieving customer satisfaction.
...again, I can and have written about this many times. The bottom line: When you think you have no problems, you have problems!
I think it was Roger Kaputnik who stated, "If you're happy to coast you have no reason to boast......"
I think Timothy Pitooie had similar thoughts.
10/04/2024 11:52 am
You can buy a new Chevy or Ford and think you're buying American, but it's likely it was built in Mexico.
Yes, all true John (I fully understand the irony involved ) but the fact remains.... When you buy a "Chevy or a Ford" it's still an American car, regardless of where it's built. All profits return to the USA. All foreign brands, irrelevant of US assembly locations, are not American cars. Just as Buicks assembled in China are still American, BMWs built in South Carolina are still German.
When Toyota builds cars in America, for example, local economies benefit, no question. But at the end of the day, it's Japan that wins. Building Cadillacs in Mexico certainly helps Mexicans but the greater result is a financially sound GM/America.
Steve Jacobs and Jack Dodds reacted
10/04/2024 11:54 am
"If you're happy to coast you have no reason to boast......"
Yes, very good. I use to tell my people, "When you're green you grow, when you're ripe, you're rotten."
Steve Jacobs and Jack Dodds reacted
10/04/2024 12:14 pm
"If you're happy to coast you have no reason to boast......"
Yes, very good. I use to tell my people, "When you're green you grow, when you're ripe, you're rotten."
Hmmmm.....I'm pretty ripe.....does growing in circumference count?
Steve Jacobs and Christopher Moroni reacted
10/04/2024 1:10 pm
What sensational looking '61 Chevrolets from Goldvarg. Absolute gems and I think the rear skirts look great. It gives both a very classy look and the colors of each model car is really excellent. This automobile is such an attractive one, it looks fine with or without them.
By the way, when your overall defense and protection is provided and guaranteed by someone else, you can enjoy many benefits without the actual costs.
10/04/2024 1:41 pm
@mikedetorrice By the way, when your overall defense and protection is provided and guaranteed by someone else, you can enjoy many benefits without the actual costs.
What does this mean Mike?
10/04/2024 3:15 pm
It is a comment on comments made. It is self-explanatory I believe.
10/04/2024 6:51 pm
It is a comment on comments made. It is self-explanatory I believe.
??
12/04/2024 8:29 pm
@jkuvakas - This is a great discussion. I like your graphic and the article, but I wonder what the revenue breakdown is on each of those cars - % domestic parts and what % goes to US labor, % back as profits to the company, etc. I assume most of that is company confidential but that would tell the whole story.
Topic starter
12/04/2024 10:12 pm
@karl, I agree. But none of the companies seem likely to share that information. The great irony here is that those who want to "Buy American" based on a fifty-year-old model of what was domestic and what was foreign will likely wind up sending more money out of the country than keeping it in.
John Kuvakas
Warrenton, VA
Jack Dodds reacted