Fiat CEO: Chrysler worse than we thought

And what's the significance of that?

When you look at the trading relationship between the US and Canada,
it's far more equitable and even-handed (and open) then with any other
two trading parters in the world.

Pointing out these production differences, or making distinctions
between made-in-usa vs made-in-canada means about as much as
made-in-michigan vs made-in-ohio.

Do Ohioans go out of their way to buy vehicles (or any products) made in
Ohio over those made in another state? What's so different about
Michigan vs Ontario vs Ohio? We all buy each-others products along
free-market, free-access lines. You can't say that for US vs EU trade,
or US vs Japan trade.

 

Because some people insist on "Buy American." Even when the cars they
buy were made in Canada or Mexico. There's nothing wrong with the
cars being made there; it just makes the "Buy American" jingoism
silly.

But when a poster is flat-out wrong about where minivans are made,
that deserved a detailed response.

 

Any examples?

DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"

 

Oddly, while he was wrong about where the Odyssey and Sienna are made,
you're focussing on the fact that the Chrysler minivans are made in
Canada as if he made the mistake there -- and he did, after all, refer
to them as "NA"-made.

 

But all Toyotas and Hondas are still foreign cars. Period. I don't give
a rip where its assembled, I care where its designed and where the money
ultimately goes when I buy it.

 

I take it you like the Scion too. Wat a hell of a Box. However, both
the Fit and Scion are great for mothers.
Ford has vastly improved the look of their box, Edge I believe.

Yes the new CTS has a horrible grill as do many cars today- see Mazda.
Obviously they think the Audi's horrible grill is desirable. UGH!

Most of Chrysler's few car models have grills designed by their truck
guys. WANTED: Car designers for Chrysler. They have left!

 

They are all made in NAFTA.
As is the Neon from Mexico.
As is the Chrysler 300 from Canada.
As was the Chrysler LH line from Canada.

 

They're all from AMERICA, North America.

 

They do design work in NAFTA.
As does Nissan, BMW, Mercedes, etc.

 

Is that true for all the other consumer products and even food that you
buy?

Or are you just grandstanding by making that statement?

 

Top-posting is bad form. I will now re-organize your post so that it is
more readable:

For starters, is there a free-trade agreement in place between US and
Japan?

Or between the US and EU?

Don't you need a free trade agreement in place between two countries in
order to say that each country has access to the other countries
markets?

No import taxes or duties, no quotes, no trade prohibitions or
restrictions?

 

Bottom-posting is bad form. Forces me to scroll through reams of stuff I
don'y need.

Try "live and let live".

What quotas, trade prohibions or restrictions are there between the US and
EU?

There are probably some duties (likely only a few percent), but not specific
against anyone in particular in general.

DAS

 

I think you just created an oxymoron. But it does have meaning in context.

 

I see what you mean...

DAS

To send an e-mail directly replace "spam" with "schmetterling"
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[...]

[...]

 

Its impossible to buy 100% American, nor would I really want to do so. A
global economy is both a reality and a good thing. But I don't like the
trend in some products where you CANNOT buy an American-designed or
manufactured version. I am not grandstanding when I say that, when
possible, I will go out of my way to buy something designed and made by
and American-owned company versus overseas-owned. I'll pay more (within
reason)as well as go to a less-convenient sales point if necessary.

I also really do consider design more than assembly point. The assembly
plant is the least advanced part of a company, so I'd rather see the
innovation and engineering done in the US and the assembly done overseas
versus using the US as an assembly point just to claim "American made!"
on a label.

 

Most Toyotas and Hondas are designed in the US. Both companies have
extensive design studios in California, and some models are sold only
in the US and are designed solely for the US (e.g., full-size pickups,
minivans).

And as for where the money goes, buy stock in Toyota or Honda and them
some of the money will go here. That is, in addition to all the auto
workers they employ, all their dealers, all the workers at their
dealers, ... All of whom are Americans and are getting a big chunk of
the money.

 

And I believe they are non-union, so there is certainly something to be
said in their favor for that.

 

Actually, yes - you are grandstanding.

Arguably, what many Americans would feel they gave the world is this
idea that a free market with many players in fair competition with each
other will lead to the best product for the buyer.

What you are saying is that you will throw that idea out the window and
base your consumer-product choice on where a product is made, or by
whom, vs base your decision on the merits of the product and the value
of it's price.

As would any other citizen of any other country.

If you want to reward creativity and superior design and construction,
then buy the better product regardless where it's made or who designed
it.

If you feel that the markets are tilted in favor of other countries, to
the extent that good product design and construction is being undermined
by trade policy, then write your congressman.

 

Blah blah, woof woof. Still a Japanese owned company.

Uh... No.

 

No, I didn't say that or imply it. Maybe I didn't adequately clarify
what I meant by saying "when possible...." but I thought it was obvious.
"When possible..." includes getting the same or better quality, as is
the case when I buy a Freiderich air conditioner instead of an LG or
Panasonic. The product is better, its made in San Antonio, and the only
downside is that its more expensive and I have to go somewhere other
than Home Depot to get one. I'll take that drive to find it. But no, I
wouldn't if it were an inferior product.