My '11 GT "Not domestic" but my Honda Odyssey IS?!?
#1
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Southeastern Virginia
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My '11 GT "Not domestic" but my Honda Odyssey IS?!?
Don't know if anyone noticed, but in my latest Car-and-Driver magazine (April 2011) there's an article (page 20) that looks at all makes/models of cars/trucks produced in North America and lists the "Domestic content" of each, meaning how much is USA or Canadian-made. The recent yardstick has been that it's "domestic" if the domestic content is 75% or greater. This isn't the magazine's call, I believe the EPA (or somesuch flawless federal entity) determines the number and slaps it on a sticker onto the new car).
WELLLL, per this article:
My wife's 2006 Honda Odyssey, made in Alabama, is 75% domestic content, making it a good-ol' American-made classic.
My 2011 Mustang, made in Flat Rock, Michigan, only has 65% domestic content. (!!!!!!)
Dang, I KNEW that Chinese tranny and spare tire rim would come back to bite somewhere! OK, just kidding on that, and I know none of the above really amounts to a hill-of-beans, but I found it ironic that a Honda Odyssey would have more domestic content than an all-American icon like the Mustang.
WELLLL, per this article:
My wife's 2006 Honda Odyssey, made in Alabama, is 75% domestic content, making it a good-ol' American-made classic.
My 2011 Mustang, made in Flat Rock, Michigan, only has 65% domestic content. (!!!!!!)
Dang, I KNEW that Chinese tranny and spare tire rim would come back to bite somewhere! OK, just kidding on that, and I know none of the above really amounts to a hill-of-beans, but I found it ironic that a Honda Odyssey would have more domestic content than an all-American icon like the Mustang.
Last edited by Double-EDad; 3/11/11 at 09:59 AM.
#2
Sometimes I cringe at certain posts I've read on here about "buying American" considering I'm not really sure what that is anymore with our global economy.
If you buy a Dodge Ram, you "feed" an American executive/company and dealer, but an assembly line worker in Mexico. If you buy an Acura TL, you "feed" the assembly line worker, the dealer, and Honda North America, but ultimately the parent company in Japan.
Which is really better? I don't know the answer to that. I'm happy if my purchases somehow are keeping an American in his/her job. But I find it disappointing when people are so vehement in slamming others for not buying domestic because it's just not that simple anymore.
Even better is when those comments are coming from owners of 20 year old domestic brand vehicles that haven't stimulated the automotive economy in ANY WAY for more than two decades.
If you buy a Dodge Ram, you "feed" an American executive/company and dealer, but an assembly line worker in Mexico. If you buy an Acura TL, you "feed" the assembly line worker, the dealer, and Honda North America, but ultimately the parent company in Japan.
Which is really better? I don't know the answer to that. I'm happy if my purchases somehow are keeping an American in his/her job. But I find it disappointing when people are so vehement in slamming others for not buying domestic because it's just not that simple anymore.
Even better is when those comments are coming from owners of 20 year old domestic brand vehicles that haven't stimulated the automotive economy in ANY WAY for more than two decades.
#4
GT Member
Join Date: July 10, 2010
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
While a lot of the parts are global, the finished product is sold here and the profits go to an American car maker which is what really matters.
I own a computer business. Everything in the computer is pretty much made elsewhere, but I sell it and make the profit. Thus the profits go to an American company.
I own a computer business. Everything in the computer is pretty much made elsewhere, but I sell it and make the profit. Thus the profits go to an American company.
#5
Bullitt Member
Join Date: January 20, 2011
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't know if anyone noticed, but in my latest Car-and-Driver magazine (April 2011) there's an article (page 20) that looks at all makes/models of cars/trucks produced in North America and lists the "Domestic content" of each, meaning how much is USA or Canadian-made. The recent yardstick has been that it's "domestic" if the domestic content is 75% or greater. This isn't the magazine's call, I believe the EPA (or somesuch flawless federal entity) determines the number and slaps it on a sticker onto the new car).
WELLLL, per this article:
My wife's 2006 Honda Odyssey, made in Alabama, is 75% domestic content, making it a good-ol' American-made classic.
My 2011 Mustang, made in Flat Rock, Michigan, only has 65% domestic content. (!!!!!!)
Dang, I KNEW that Chinese tranny and spare tire rim would come back to bite somewhere! OK, just kidding on that, and I know none of the above really amounts to a hill-of-beans, but I found it ironic that a Honda Odyssey would have more domestic content than an all-American icon like the Mustang.
WELLLL, per this article:
My wife's 2006 Honda Odyssey, made in Alabama, is 75% domestic content, making it a good-ol' American-made classic.
My 2011 Mustang, made in Flat Rock, Michigan, only has 65% domestic content. (!!!!!!)
Dang, I KNEW that Chinese tranny and spare tire rim would come back to bite somewhere! OK, just kidding on that, and I know none of the above really amounts to a hill-of-beans, but I found it ironic that a Honda Odyssey would have more domestic content than an all-American icon like the Mustang.
#6
Member
Join Date: February 9, 2011
Location: La Quinta, CA
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That, my friend, was a very intelligent and objective commentary on this subject.
Oops. That was intended for BlueSkyVert.
By the way, I have a PhD in Traffic School.
Oops. That was intended for BlueSkyVert.
By the way, I have a PhD in Traffic School.
Last edited by dennis; 3/11/11 at 11:20 AM. Reason: Not in right place.
#7
Originally Posted by BlueSkyVert
Sometimes I cringe at certain posts I've read on here about "buying American" considering I'm not really sure what that is anymore with our global economy.
If you buy a Dodge Ram, you "feed" an American executive/company and dealer, but an assembly line worker in Mexico.
If you buy a Dodge Ram, you "feed" an American executive/company and dealer, but an assembly line worker in Mexico.
I've had a few conversations that lead me to believe people have very uninformed opinions about what is domestic and what is foreign. I always tell people who get in a huff about foreign cars to go on the Niekei and buy some Japanese stock.
#8
Mach 1 Member
Join Date: July 15, 2010
Location: Greenville NC
Posts: 532
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I worked for them for 22 years, made a nice living as a Motorcycle Division exec, and will receive a generous pension soon, all generated by US profits...(you might say Honda sales paid for my Mustang...Ironic huh?)
Even that Icon of US performance cars, the Corvette, is only 77% US content.
The worlds a big place.
http://corporate.honda.com/america/
Last edited by Modshack; 3/11/11 at 12:37 PM.
#9
Bullitt Member
Join Date: March 3, 2010
Location: Niles, Mi
Posts: 314
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yep its a global economy now, we can't make every last part in the USA anymore, thats why I kinda think the whole buy American thing is overblown anymore. At least its "mostly" American made. I'm as patriotic as the next American, but hey its almost impossible to find anything 100% American made anymore.
#11
Cobra R Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: June 17, 2010
Location: Southeastern Virginia
Posts: 1,666
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#13
Cobra Member
Remember that Chrysler is mostly Italian owned now. It had been German for quite a while.
I've had a few conversations that lead me to believe people have very uninformed opinions about what is domestic and what is foreign. I always tell people who get in a huff about foreign cars to go on the Niekei and buy some Japanese stock.
I've had a few conversations that lead me to believe people have very uninformed opinions about what is domestic and what is foreign. I always tell people who get in a huff about foreign cars to go on the Niekei and buy some Japanese stock.
Right, I was looking at the fact they are built in Canada and considered American muscle cars by everyone.
I am waiting for the new Chrysler owners to change the company name on the cars. Soon, we could have the all new Fiat Challenger....
#14
Bullitt Member
Join Date: January 18, 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 305
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My opinion (since the global market comments are 100% accurate) : if its a mustang, its American. If its a ferrari, its Italian. If its a Subaru, its a Japanese car. And so on....simple.
#15
Member
Join Date: January 26, 2011
Location: Edgewater Md
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well I feel we now live in a global market, the US is a company of innovation not really set up for lots line type of work anymore IMO. But maybe the cost of some of the auto unions, poor managment created this, they just got pretty expensive to build in the US. I am not sure companies like Honda, Toyota have unions. But I think this is all getting worked out after the collaps of GM. The US auto workers and companies are making much better cars now. I now own two fords. I use to be a Honda guy but all there car are now boring. I feel Ford has the best line up now.
#16
Bullitt Member
Join Date: September 26, 2010
Location: Wausau Wi
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes i miss lusting after a Type R or even a rear wheel drive Type S they just make so many cookie cutter cars now a days .. Well then there is that sound too i must say i enjoy getting looked at for the V8 sound vs my old soup can sound of my nice lil Acura. nice car but no where near as inspiring for me These "Pony" cars will always be American muscle to me at least and i am glad they all made the trip back from the Boring days of the 80-90's Kcar times !! LOL I think i'll go enjoy my stang and argue with The radio lady about playing music LOL
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post