Don’t Buy Unamerican
Seen at Insty’s: 46% More Likely To Buy Ford ‘Cause It Didn’t Get A Bailout.
I have a Ford. Been happy with it. And, in the next year or so, I’ll likely need a new ride. But I’ve decided I’ll quite likely not buy any GM product due to bail out nonsense. And it’s a pity because I kinda had my eye on a Chevy Avalanche.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:24 am
I’m in the market to replace one of my trucks with a car of some flavor. For the same reasons listed, I will not be looking at GM or Chrysler, and I will be looking at Ford.
Hell, I’m pretty much defaulting to Ford, I love their trucks, and I’d like something from an American company.
July 29th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I’m looking hard and long at a Ford Escape Hybrid vs. a Toyota Highlander Hybrid as my next car. The two things tipping the scales in favour of the Highlander is the pathetic towing capacity of the Escape and the 7 passenger seating.
And it is a pity about GM and the bailouts, ’cause that new Camaro is schweet.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:19 am
If you want to support American jobs, you could always buy a Toyota or a Subaru, both of whom have major assembly and fab facilities in Indiana.
July 29th, 2009 at 10:21 am
The ever-indulgent wife and I have been very happy with our Chrysler products and were planning on replacing my current mini-van with the current model (eventually).
Now, of course, we’re starting our search over. Ford might make the cut but not Zombie Chrysler or Government Motors.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:01 am
I bought a used Avalanche last year and would buy another – a newer used one
I haven’t been able to make myself buy a new car since I got out of my 20’s
July 29th, 2009 at 11:05 am
“If you want to support American jobs, you could always buy a Toyota or a Subaru, both of whom have major assembly and fab facilities in Indiana.”
Honda makes Civics, Accords, Elements, and CR-Vs in Ohio. There is another Civic plant in Indiana and a Pilot and Odyssey plant in Alabama.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:08 am
New Ford Expedition in the driveway. Much nicer than the Avalanche, in my opinion. Other than the Sequoia, nothing that Toyota or Subaru build will comfortably fit my blended family; and opinions are mixed on the quality/durability of the Sequoia’s front suspension.
GM was not even considered (too much bailout). Chrysler doesn’t build anything interesting.
I hope Chrysler gets it together, I am planning to buy a Jeep in late 2013.
July 29th, 2009 at 11:29 am
I hate to do it but I’m going to make a moral compromise and buy GM as soon as my (pre-bailout) Colorado pickup is paid off. I have desperately wanted an SS Camaro since 1998 and for one reason or another have not been in a position to get one. Now that I finally am in a position to get one, I’m not letting .gov take it away from me.
July 29th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
The US is about to experience the India auto industry, via Mahindra with it’s diesel mini-pickups (not so mini, really, they can all carry well over a ton). Next year, they will sell a light diesel SUV.
All is contingent on them passing US crash tests, though.
If the Mahindra passes the tests and takes off, then look for a revival of small diesel utility vehicles. Hopefully, that would force Chrysler to put a diesel in a Wrangler, something I would love to see.
We had small diesels here in the late 70’s. There were at least three mini-pickups sold (Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi/Chevy Luv). There was even a Perkins diesel-powered CJ-5 Jeep for a year or two in the 60’s, but it was so underpowered, it made the 72-horse Iron Duke gasser look strong.
With the new Direct Electronic Control light diesels, an acceptable diesel light truck is certainly doable.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
Ford licenses their hybrid technology from Toyota. The hybrid Fusion proposes to get better mileage than the Prius.
I’ve been watching developments with the Mahindra crewcab diesel with great interest myself. It almost sounds too good to be true, and a couple of my Indian (dots, not feathers) teammates tell me Mahindra makes a quality product, comparable in their opinion to Toyota’s trucks. Carry a ton, 30mpg, seats 5 comfortably and 4wd? Sounds like a no-brainer to me.
I’d bet it can tow at least 3500 pounds, maybe more.
Regards,
Rabbit.
July 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Oh yeah, I also miss the pocketa-pocketa-pocketa of the little Perkins diesel that Mazda put in their little pickups in the late 70’s- early 80’s. I knew a guy who had around 400k miles on one without taking the heads off. It eventually rusted through and the body died before the engine quit.
Rabbit.
July 29th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Hard to hurt a diesel engine if you keep the oil changed on time.
July 29th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
Just some anecdotal evidence, but dad, who’s lease on his E-class runs out in a couple of months, is going to buy a Lincoln with the express purpose of thumbing his nose at GM.
July 30th, 2009 at 6:08 am
When Ford didn’t take a bailout, I figured it was the smartest marketing move they’ve ever made. Looks like I was right!
I have badmouthed Fords and driven GMCs since day one. We also have a Dodge pickup.
Next vehicle? Ford, Toyota or Subaru. I won’t give GMC or Dodge any more of my business, as much as it pains me.
July 30th, 2009 at 10:46 am
I did decide to buy American, I bought a Toyota. With the car being built in California and the drivetrain built in Kentucky, you can get more american than that. Now when my friend bought a 2010 Chevy Equinox and tried to inform me that he bought American, I delightfully pointed to the Sticker in the door jamb. Car build in CANADA. Engine build in CHINA! Tranmission build in Mexico. If you want to by American, DON’T buy GM
July 30th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Ford does not license anything from Toyota, there are almost monthly exasperated posts from them on autoblog.com and jalopnik with a timeline of Ford’s own development efforts, and how when they realized what they came up with was similar enough to Toyota’s patents that they could get sued, they struck a sharing deal for some other tech.
Sometimes what works can only be arrived at so many ways.
July 31st, 2009 at 9:26 am
Don’t forget Hyundai! They’ve got one of the most advanced automotive plants in the US in Alabama!
I drive a 2003 Mercury Marauder, and I love it. Would buy another one if they still built them. Problem is, the 4.6L DOHC engine was built in Mexico, and the rest of the car was assembled in Ottawa, Canada thanks to those assholes at the UAW.
I’ve been lusting after a Mahindra pickup since I first heard they were coming to the US, despite the fact that I think they’re a little homely. But Rivrdog’s comment is the first I’ve heard about them in months! If they come out with a Diesel or a Diesel hybrid like they’ve promised, my next car will be an Indian truck (but I’m keeping my Marauder!!!).
August 1st, 2009 at 5:24 pm
Realize the auto makers have been under such regulation and forced pandering to the Unions. That if anyone is to blame, our government holds a large part of pushing them under water.
And that’s why if you look at GM the biggest owners are not .gov and unions.