While I agree with the first part of the statement, I disagree on the second part.
As far as cars go, it is way too large a purchase, too emotional a purchase, and too personality-specific a purchase, for someone who ENJOYS cars to buy based upon localities...
That said, many people do believe rumours or generic statements, essentially stereotypes, and buy appliances that they could care less about, with minimal rhyme or reason. These people would do better by the country if they bought American cars. After all, the one thing that we do know is thatmost data available is biased/bought/spun, and only partially believeable.
If its unacceptable to pass along and accept stereoytpes about peoples' race, religion, color, s preference, etc., then why is it OK for average joe to buy stereotypes about foreign/domestic vehicles, lock stock and barrel?
As for anything else, it is, as always, a case by case basis... however, few things are as personal as an auto to an enthusiast, due to the hours spent in said item. I buy American whenever possible in my day to day. Tools, widgets, anything that has the made in USA stamp is superior out of my starting gate to anything that is not (with origins from Japan and the more develloped EU countries an exception sometimes, depending upon the item). That's just my equation for trying to buy where I pay my taxes, but more importantly on a personal scale, that has been, in my experience, my best equation for value.
Since I harped on autos being an exception, for me, I am unbiased as far as vehicular origin goes. For me, I am looking for the best cross section of new purchase value (I keep my cars forever, so could really care less about reslae), equipment that I desire (which equates back to value), and to a lesser but still strong extent, style. For example, I might love the looks of the subaru station wagon, and think it is a great car. However, it is no longer available with MT in the base engine form, so as much as I like the vehicle, it is off my list.
THats how I do it... to each their own. I DO think that as a rule of thumb, it is a good move to try to buy domestic anything wherever possible.
JMH