Bone to pick

General Discussion
1

Ray and Tom,



I enjoy listening to your show every Saturday morning. Thanks for the laughs and occasionally the good advice.



I have a bone to pick with you thought concerning last week’s show (November 14, 2009). A caller from Sacramento asked about hybrids (hence Prius = Dork question) and you suggested Honda and Toyota. I’m disappointed you did not suggest the Ford Fusion. What gives? The US-based auto manufacturers certainly need the support.



Respectfully,



Sean Quinn

517-347-2070

2

Tom and Ray rarely, if ever, post on this board. You’ll probably want to remove your phone number from your post as well.

3

I Would Certainly Consider The Ford When Shopping. I Stay With U.S. Based Manufacturers. Also, I Have Absolutely No Dealer Support For Asian Or European Cars Near Me.

When people keep recommending these cars that are foreign to me, I have no use for the advice. I agree that the U.S. based companies should receive more support from Americans.

CSA

4

I’m struggling to see why the US based car makers need our support. I thought the auto workers of America needed our support. I will try to buy a car that is made in the US. Otherwise buying one made elsewhere, just guarantee that the share holders and CEO’s of that company benefit. Auto companies are in flux with GM 61% owned by the US govt. We are still stuck with the dogma of name recognition and think we support America if we buy “apple pie” cars like Ford, GM and Chrysler even if they’re made elsewhere.

5

Well said, dagosa!

6

Buyers Of Foreign Makes ( With World Headquarters Outside The U.S.) Rationalize Their Purchases And They Are Fully Within Their Rights To Do So. That Is Just Not My Style.

Notice that Sean Quinn specified US-based auto manufacturers.

People rationalize their buying of foreign makes in a number of different ways in order to justify their purchases. These car companies have been selling cars in earnest, in our country, for years. Some have divisions in the U.S., although their world headquarters are in foreign countries. All these manufacturers have parts suppliers and assembly plants here and employ U.S. workers, but take a look at where the companies’ world headquarters are located and where customers’ ultimate support is going.

General Motors: United States based auto maker, Detroit Michigan, United States, since 1908
Ford: United States based auto maker, Dearborn, Michigan, United States, since 1903
Chrysler: United States based auto maker, Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States, since 1925
Toyota: Japan based auto maker, Tokyo, Japan, post WWII
Honda: Japan based auto maker, Tokyo, Japan, post WWII
Volkswagen: German based auto maker, Wolfsburg, Germany, post WWII

CSA
America, What a country!