You might have been thinking of GM’s Opel division, during WW II.
While it’s very likely that they had no choice, and that they were compelled to build vehicles and other products for the Nazis at their Opel factories, I think that it was the height of chutzpah for GM to demand reparations from the US because those Opel factories were damaged by allied bombing.
GM managed to collect $32 million from the US as a result of damage to their German factories.
Agreed, but $32million to the US treasury is hardly more than petty cash.
Let’s not forget about the difference in the value of US money when converted to 2025 standards. $32,000,000 just after WW II would be essentially the same as $568,531,000 today. Please don’t tell the DOGE folks that you consider $568 million to be hardly more than petty cash.
I was actually thinking of far more recent wars and activities, for example the middle east, southeast asia and latin America
Edict #9- I WILL NOT CONSIDER A VEHICLE THAT HAS LIFE OF BRAKE PADS DiSPLAYED ON DASHBOARD!!!
Chevy Traverse has ALOT of problems with this. Its the answer to a question no one ever asked!
My nephew’s Subaru was apparently built in Indiana
That’s a locally-built car, as far as you’re concerned 
seriously, though. maybe this is more your style, Rick
body-on-frame
leaf springs front and rear
rear-wheel-drive
cast-iron 4cylinder with double-digit horsepower
cast iron 4 speed stick non-synchronized in all gears
1barrel carburetor
distributor with points and condensers
ohv cylinder head with valves that need to be adjusted frequently
no ac
no cruise control
no power windows, mirrors or locks
manual recirculating ball steering
no rear window defogger
only 1 exterior rearview mirror
no radio
no tachometer, oil pressure gauge, voltmeter, fuel level gauge, coolant temperature gauge, etc.
only a speedometer, the rest is idiot lights and you use a stick to measure fuel level
no tinted glass
sealed beams
lap belts only
bench seating front and rear
no adjustable steering column
no airbags
no control modules whatsoever on the vehicle
no abs
drum brakes all around . . . duh 
and no power brake booster . . . we want you to experience brake fade 24/7
and it’s got to be a car or wagon, not a pickup truck, suv, Jeep CJ, etc.
Toyota has a plant near here. They build the Highlander and Siennas. It provides good local jobs. Its not Union though.
Honda has an assembly plant in Indiana and a few in Ohio, too.
Yeah on interstate 65 north of Indianapolis.
My Acura was built in Ohio. Either the engine or trans came from Japan though. Forget which.
Ah yes, the 4l60e, automatic with glass internals. It’s like the GM engineers took a look at the Ford A4LD and said to themselves “Yeah, let’s do one of those, but let’s put it in the V8 Suburban and see what happens”.
The 4L60E is a great transmission in many vehicles over the years and some had problems. BUT they are cheap to fix unlike these whizbang 8 and 10 soeed trannies
What kind of fuel economy does that 1989 Caprice get?
It gets about 15 in town driving and 22 highway. It will suck the fuel dpwn if im driving around making the engine and fan roar and squaling the tires alot.
All in all not bad for a reliable solid automobile.
I think you crusty old timers are missing the point. And yes, I’m a crusty old timer too (lest you think this is a “generational divide” type of discussion). I own a 2022 Mazda CX-5 Signature with EVERY bell and whistle. In 60,000 miles I have done nothing but basic maintenance and one full set of pads and rotors all the way around (done by me and very easy).
What I love about the bells and whistles? Driving is a wonderful, relaxing, and safe experience. All that technology is keeping my car running smoothly and perfectly. Yes, one day things will fail as they inevitably do. Then I will take all the money and time I have saved NOT having to do repairs for so many years and sink it into my vehicle.
FWIW, this vehicle is extremely easy to work on, so I think that manufacturers can make that happen. It’s just that some do and most don’t because they want you at the dealership for service. Spend some time doing real research and talk to car owners and you will quickly find the brands that don’t make things impossible to service.
That type of gas guzzling is typical of American cars that were made a few decades ago. A lot of progress has been made since then, due to advances in technology.
That is about what my medium sized V6 2023 truck gets…
… your truck is considerably faster than that old gas-guzzler, as well as being far safer.
I wouldn’t call 22 mpg gas guzzling, though not stellar. I love the nice smooth ride and the nice floaty feel. New vehicles are wound too tight in my opinion. I like to float over the road, this race car stuff like big wheels, no body roll and tight seats is for the birds when you reach 50.
