Why are Americans and Canadians still buying Japanese and Korean cars?

1. 52

   andredownes68posted 13 years ago

   People still don't realize that they won't ever be free of the shackles of Free Trade that
   is still lurking around the corner.The recent Financial meltdown that we experienced and Stock market crash,Government bailouts and loans,etc,and so on..The same people are still buying the same products that bring down the economy for lack of better Judgement and JUST PLAIN OLD STUPIDITY.The cars & other vehicles,electronics etc,
   were manufactured by Countries that we fought World wars against.We were bombed
   at Pearl Harbor and one of the aircraft carriers ,the U.S.S Downes  sank along with a lot others.That aircraft carrier was named after John Downes, whom was the Commander
   -in-Chief of the the U.S. Navy during the Civil war,The American Revolution,The war of 1812 and the 9 year Indian wars in Colonial history,lastly,The Boer War in Africa.
   The American and Canadians that died in all these wars didn' t die so you can say
   (well,I have freedom of choice)wake up and start taking care of your own ,or we'll all be back to the Great Recession 2008-10.

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   1. 62

      Mishaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh my! You just demonstrated it. Coupled with utter ignorance

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      Jim Hunterposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I have owned many Japanese and American vehicles, the Japanese build a much better product.

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         speedygposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Deleted
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            Shanna11posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You revived a dead thread just to be profane and childish? Classy.

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   3. 0

      Always Greenerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Goodness Lord, that was quite a rant! 
      
      Having said that, I'd say it's because Japanese and Korean cars are cheaper in cost (ownership and initial purchase price).

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      raaj22posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Japanese and Korean cars are good in terms of quality and gives a good value for money

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   5. 56

      leebertteaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I own a Toyota because it's a superior product that I can buy more cheaply than a so called "American" car. It also has a better resale values, and by the way is built in America by Americans!
      
      Many American cars may be assembled in America but 80% of their parts come from foreign sources.
      
      At one time America made the best products for the least costs but government regulations, taxes and unions have conspired to eliminate America's leadership in industry. If you want Americans to take care of their own start electing a government that will put America first.

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      agvulpesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well mate I think that is exactly what these people fought for "Freedom of Choice" !
      Free to choose a reasonably priced smaller car that suits their purposes.
      If the local manufacturers listened to the end user and made cars of the same size instead of 'telling' the consumer what he wants they would be more successful.
        Btw looking at your name you seem to have an axe to grind ?

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      goldenpathposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      One little problem.  I have a job and I want to reach my job.  Therefore to avoid a Fix Or Repair Daily vehicle I should stay away from FORD.  I love Nissan though many of the foreign owned vehicles sold here are actually assembled right here.  In a way they are American.

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2. 57

   The Belly Burnerposted 13 years ago

   There is a point in this. If you take Britain for example, we've never really invested in our own cars and after producing all manner of cars (Land Rover, Lotus, TVR, Jaguar etc.) we now own none of these companies! I don't know the specifics as to why this should be, but if you take a look around any British street, you'll probably find about ten different car manufacturers - all of which aren't British.
   
   France and Japan are renowned for buying their own country's cars and their manufacturers continue to prosper.
   
   Just a thought.

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3. 74

   Kangaroo_Jaseposted 13 years ago

   If my history lessons serve me right..... I don't recall any Americans serving in either of the two Boer wars. I do recall large volunteer numbers from Canada, New Zealand and Australia though.
   
   On further investigation, there were, a whole 300 American volunteers fighting for the British against the Boers. This out of a population of 76 million at the time of 1899. hmmmmmmm
   
   Oh and to top it off, Australia was the only 1st world economy to actually still have positive growth during the GFC, and ONLY by the slimmest of margins. So there was no official recession in Australia.

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4. 69

   Peter Hogganposted 13 years ago

   andredownes68, go pedal your xenophobia elsewhere.

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      Always Greenerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Here here!

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5. 64

   I am DB Cooperposted 13 years ago

   Was this post serious? So we're never supposed to do any trade with any country we've been at war with? That means no trade with the French, British, Germans, Italians, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese and several others. I don't think you'll find too many economists who will agree with your view that international trade is bad for our economy, and you won't find many political scientists who will agree with your view that former enemies should remain our enemies forever.

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      alternate poetposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      hear hear - and if the number of 'enemies' continue to increase at the current rate there will be nobody left to trade with at all

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6. 50

   amitrustagiposted 13 years ago

   japanese car are more reliable,efficient& good value for money.infact its a overall a good package to buy in terms looks &technology

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      godblessamericaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      When your timing chain or belt goes and the whole engine is wrecked which americans desinged better you will say different

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      speedygposted 11 years agoin reply to this

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         Shanna11posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         -shaking my head-
         
         Oy vey....

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7. 60

   Kyle246posted 13 years ago

   I really don't know why anyone would buy other than American. American cars are now rated better than Asian/European cars. It is just that most people are blind to the fact that buying American will help American jobs. Some might say that their Toyota or Honda is built in America. But most of the parts (more than an American car) is from other countries. Also all the profit will go out of America.

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8. 67

   Michael Willisposted 13 years ago

   Plus don't forget the $$$$$$ of the product to go along with quality. Why would I buy an item "just because it says American Made" and pay twice as much for it?  Why support the Greed of any business, when they do not care about those who buy their products?
   
   If any American Product is better made and at the same price of any Foreign product, I would prefer to buy the American made product. But, I will not be ripped off and listen to someone denounce me or anyone else for buying something that is not American Made until American Products are priced fairly and "Quality" is put in front of Business Bottom Line=$$$$$.

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      earnestshubposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Michael I tend to agree with this.
      America has been the world leader in building oversized gas guzzlers for too many years. They have appealed to the lowest  common denominators in their marketing which has used greed, envy and mine's bigger/better/faster than yours advertising without any consideration for morals or decency. 
      
      As for the others, even BMW is manufactured in cheap labour countries as well as in Germany these days, American makers using their well know brands on what are now often Korean, Spanish or Japanese cars, very few of the Japanese cars are made in Japan anymore either.
      Jaguar belongs to Tata motors in India. (I gotta see a Tata made Jag! (Have you ever seen the cars they make in India?)

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9. 83

   kerrygposted 13 years ago

   If American companies want my business they can put their money and energy into creating a better product rather than spending millions lobbying for lower gas mileage and auto safety standards and shipping their CEOs around in corporate jets. (I don't necessarily have a problem with corporate jets for a successful CEO of a successful company, but when we're talking about CEOs who have run their companies into the ground through their own bad choices and then gone begging for government handouts, I draw the line. Heck, losers like that shouldn't even be riding first class - to coach with them!)

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10. 57

    wallen7posted 13 years ago

    Because they have been told for years that American cars did not have the quality that the Japenese cars had. That was true years ago, but not now. Every domestic car that I have been in has vastly improved in quality.

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       agvulpesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I'm not talking about quality!  I am talking about what the consumer wants from their vehicle.  Size, shape, economy etc.
       It's only common sense.

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11. 60

    Kyle246posted 13 years ago

    Many people say that they won't buy american until they come out with a good car for them to buy. Well, most of those people say that, but they won't even consider an American car when shopping for one. There are many great cars, Ford Fusion, Ford Taurus, Chevy Traverse, and the list goes on.

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12. 0

    Car Donationsposted 13 years ago

    Well, my family always owned Dodges until 2003. Then the Mazda 6 came out. My entire family of four drives Mazda. 2 Mazda 6's, one miata, one Mazda truck and one Mazda 3. None of us have had to touch the car. The mileage ranges from 30,000 mile to 75,000. My parents Dodge shadow didn't make it past 65,000 miles when it was given to a junkyard. I would love to buy a GM or Chrysler, but they are not releasing any cars that are worth my while. Ford is the only American make I would consider! The Fusion is a great car. Once again, based off the Mazda 6. GM and Chrysler is in big trouble! GM better do better than the Cruze.

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13. 0

    klarawieckposted 13 years ago

    because they don't break down in the middle of the expressway?

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14. 58

    Gareth Coleposted 13 years ago

    I have to say, Japanese cars are far superior in quality to American cars. I Can't really comment on Korean cars as I have never driven one. You make a good point about the economy though.

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       webguyonlineposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       i do agree with you. japanese cars are made up of high quality car parts. even here on my country we prefer to buy japanese and korean cars :-)

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       godblessamericaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Really that not true, they all have flaws but are all the same it comes down to Supporting our country.'

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15. 59

    ImChemistposted 13 years ago

    I think japanese are the best always!

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16. 49

    dhjh811posted 13 years ago

    I think Korean cars are better than japanese cars. Just because japanese cars are active, doesn't mean that they're better. I especially like the Equus.

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17. 57

    Krazie_Kumquatposted 13 years ago

    My family has owned 4 cars from GM.  They were merely okay (not many breakdowns), but none of those stood out.  Last year was our first Honda Fit.  We bought it based on its roominess, yet small profile, and its frugality on fuel.  Of course, it had the hatchback functionality.
    
    I think american cars used to be associated with gas guzzlers, lower quality, etc. but now, i believe they are better.  Now domestic manufacturers are starting to see that consumers want cars that are better at fuel, more practicality (north america are slower to adopt the hatchback design than the Japanese - a ford car dealership salesperson told me that).
    
    Japanese have been more innovative with electric cars, plug-ins, etc.
    
    I will be in the market for car next year (for myself this time) and i would like to consider the new ford focus 2011, hyundai elantra 2011.....but i fear that the focus will cost more for the same features than the elantra.

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18. 73

    platinumOwl4posted 13 years ago

    People forget that politics are at the root of this problem. Oil companies want to sell more oil and related products. Have you ever noticed that whenever the price of oil goes up, so does every other product. A great deal of what goes into the manufacture of a vehicles is oil related.
    There are reason for all of the American car problems.  Every American auto problem has an entire industry employing people.

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    s82a84posted 13 years ago

    One simple reason, they are the most reliable cars compare to any american/europe cars. The End.

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20. 49

    godblessamericaposted 13 years ago

    Yeah we were bombed by Japan while their president was signing a peace tready with us and we are letting them take us over, Our economy was over 60%  made up of the automobile industry, ever heard the saying When GM is doing good The economy is doing good. Their is no difference in quality and. And the Japs say they are made in America but they are asembled here and the pofit goes to Japan. Our American manufactures had to compete so they starded using the jap parts cause they are cheaper. We won't work for a dollar less cause we are greedy. Ask a kid in high school allmost all want to go to colledge and "make good money" now who will do your septic, or come get your garbage! Now thats your answer

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21. 60

    knolyourselfposted 13 years ago

    " Supporting our country." You support the syndicates that run America. Not me. Ever hear of 'built-in-obsolence'? One of Prescot Bushes ideas, when he was on the board of the American Manufacturers Association, and the reason people went
    to Japanese cars.

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