Originally Posted By: Kestas
For starters, Chrysler isn't in Hamtramck anymore.
No . . . It's in Italy now. Along with Renegade assembly.
After going through the experience of working in a plant that was closed, because our company sent all our production South of the border (Thank you, NAFTA), I buy American wherever possible. That said, when it comes to cars, it is so hard to define what is American, and what is not. There are many who believe that to buy American, you have to buy from the Big 3. You know. Keep your money here with American engineering and design. Well, that's not even true any more, is it? So, now it's the Big 2? Even before Fiat taking ownership, Chrysler hadn't been one of the big boys for some time. Their share of the market has been smaller than many imports. Hard to call that part of a big anything.
As you can tell from my signature line, I drive an Outback. Sure, it's built in Indiana. But much of the drive train comes from Japan. Some of us quibble about which has more domestic content. But really, is there all that much difference between 65% on one car and 75% on another?
One thing that over four decades of buying and driving cars has taught me, is that you can't judge quality based upon brand name. Ok, well all Yugo's sucked. But you know what I mean. Some of the car companies with the best reputations have made some bad cars. Honda put a lousy tranny in the Odyssey. Toyota did a lousy job launching the Tundra. GM did an excellent job on the eighth generation Malibu. But no one would have said that about a few of the earlier generations of the Malibu.
It doesn't seem that it is wise to buy by brand. Shop and buy a car or truck that is being built well. And if you like to buy American, then buy one that is made in America, and don't fret over which nameplate is on the front and back of the car.
Unless you are a GM hater, like me. Then the nameplate does matter.