I have to state this (Not bullshit)

**SSTODD** · 01-22-2007, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by NICKLE57

That money may go to Toyota's corporate offices, but corporate offices do nothing but spend money. They pay salaries. Salaries that go back to those right her in Kentucky. Salaries for line workers, parts suppliers, etc. You are missing the big picture. The question you should be asking is "Why can Toyota afford USA workers, but GM and Ford can not. Why was the F-body built in Canada and then "Imported" in. The whole import arguement turned ridiculous when GM started building cars outside the US and laying off US workers.

G.M. has had canadian plants for quite a while and after clinton signed nafta it is the same as with union wages and contracts. Mexico is not or Korea but tell me why the foreigners are not up north using all the labor force???

**blackSS01** · 01-22-2007, 08:23 AM

Not all that money is spent. Most of it is stuffed back into other foreign companies and the CEO's and all the big timers. And, I have owned a ford truck that lasted 277,000 miles, and I had it when I was hardest on a vehicle (16 yrs old) I did reverse donuts and anything imaginable and it had the stock clutch in it at the end of its life, so not a person on this board can say imports are better or they last longer. Every vehicle that rolls off of the lot of any brand could have problems. And I agree, don't take it out on the company just because the dealer is an idiot.

**NICKLE57** · 01-22-2007, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by SSTODD

G.M. has had canadian plants for quite a while and after clinton signed nafta it is the same as with union wages and contracts. Mexico is not or Korea but tell me why the foreigners are not up north using all the labor force???

All I have to say is Toyota is expanding their plants here in Kentucky. They have opened up spare parts locations and are employing quite a few people here.

The whole import versus US was an issue when cars were shipped in from foreign countries that were built by foreign workers whose salaries were paid for by american buyers. Now if you go out an buy a Camry you are paying the salary of more than a few of my friends. Argue all you want but if you are keeping a Kentuckian employeed by buying an "import" then its all good.

Also: I could careless if the canadian guy is getting union wages or not.

**EEEZNOW** · 01-22-2007, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by NICKLE57

All I have to say is Toyota is expanding their plants here in Kentucky. They have opened up spare parts locations and are employing quite a few people here.

The whole import versus US was an issue when cars were shipped in from foreign countries that were built by foreign workers whose salaries were paid for by american buyers. Now if you go out an buy a Camry you are paying the salary of more than a few of my friends. Argue all you want but if you are keeping a Kentuckian employeed by buying an "import" then its all good.

Also: I could careless if the canadian guy is getting union wages or not.

**Jims455** · 01-22-2007, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by blackSS01

I understand people can do what they want with their money regardless of what anyone says but come on people. Why in the hell would someone want to buy a Titan or for that matter a Tundra. Our economy is hurting compared to some years, why kill it more with buying a import. Lets see, the best engine EVER DESIGNED is the GM 350 (universal, parts are cheap, parts easy to find, reliable, etc...) I can't stand Ford or Dodge, but you can bet your ass I would buy one of them in a heart beat over an import. Someone must have to clue me in, because I just don't get it.

The majority of people are idiots lacking the ability to see how they affect the future...

**SSTODD** · 01-22-2007, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by NICKLE57

All I have to say is Toyota is expanding their plants here in Kentucky. They have opened up spare parts locations and are employing quite a few people here.

The whole import versus US was an issue when cars were shipped in from foreign countries that were built by foreign workers whose salaries were paid for by american buyers. Now if you go out an buy a Camry you are paying the salary of more than a few of my friends. Argue all you want but if you are keeping a Kentuckian employeed by buying an "import" then its all good.

Also: I could careless if the canadian guy is getting union wages or not.

Its all good until our industry is gone and then what? I said if they are paying your wages then you support your employers, but the big 3 are supporting way more than the foreigners and if there is no support for american companies then it won't be long now. And the wages arguement is fair because it is not slave labor and cheap product. Canada is not the real enemy here but the foreigners in your backyard.

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 10:36 AM

ever seen the movie tucker?
its about an american car company that was killed by the big 3. At the end of the movie tucker said if america kills ingenuity some day we will be buying cars from our enemies. the movie is based on a true story and it took place in the 40's or 50's after the second world war.

**tnthub** · 01-22-2007, 10:53 AM

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061117/laf047.html?.v=63

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/co...x+page_insight

One of the major problems with US based manufacturing costs for automakers that have been traditionally thought of as US based companies, are the legacy union benefits which are far higher than traditional import manufacturers. This is not bs and I'm not making a value judgement. I would personally buy US but facts are facts and it seems the general condition of our economy, the continuing globalization of competition, and our own peoples quest for higher pay and better benefits has us in a hole.

**snaggeltooth** · 01-22-2007, 10:56 AM

We also have a Mercedes Plant here in Alabama ...you dont seem to care about them just the Japanese plants ....

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 10:57 AM

Be American, Buy American. is the motto of a local union.

**snaggeltooth** · 01-22-2007, 11:01 AM

Hace any of you guys ever been in a Car Plant ???

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 11:04 AM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

Hace any of you guys ever been in a Car Plant ???

would like to see one, whats your point?

**snaggeltooth** · 01-22-2007, 11:06 AM

I work in a one .. A non-union one .. I have also been to a union one ... If you ever saw how you precious GM trucks were made , you might think different

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

We also have a Mercedes Plant here in Alabama ...you dont seem to care about them just the Japanese plants ....

last i checked we sell our cars in european countries

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

I work in a one .. A non-union one .. I have also been to a union one ... If you ever saw how you precious GM trucks were made , you might think different

examples?

**snaggeltooth** · 01-22-2007, 11:21 AM

sale them in Japan too..... You know Americans buy more Hondas than Japan does ...

**snaggeltooth** · 01-22-2007, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by bmyers

examples?

A lot of it is attiude ...When people work for a job and they know it will take a act of Congress to get them fired they stop giveing a shit ....

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by snaggeltooth

sale them in Japan too..... You know Americans buy more Hondas than Japan does ...

prove it that they buy our cars.

**EEEZNOW** · 01-22-2007, 11:34 AM

The Mercedes plant here provides a lot of jobs for people in this area. It has seemed to do pretty well for the economy around here.

**bmyers** · 01-22-2007, 11:43 AM

my problem with japanese cars is that the japanese do not buy are cars. capatilsm is a wonderful thing but it is not fair to the american companies that a foreign competitor of theirs is not playing by the same rules. I have no problem with mercedes because we sell cars in europe.