groups

Drive your Honda there, ok Pluto?

I own a Buick myself. One of the most dependable cars I've ever had. I guess I got lucky.

I still believe in "Buy American."

I was just pulling your leg, you know that....I actually haven't had more than three American cars in the past 20 years or so. My experiences were so bad that I just couldn't bring myself to pay good money for a piece of junk, but I truly believe times have changed and the reliability factor isn't as much of a factor as it is a mindset. Ford and GM produce good, reliable cars and trucks, no need to buy Japanese any more!

I know you were joshing OM, but for someone to say they will never buy another GM or Chrysler product seems a bit out there for me. I suppose those automakers have somehow been tainted by the socialists and should now be ostracized to Venezuela or Cuba. We'll see.

Since I own two Fords, I guess I have to say I buy American.

Ford was successful because they saw what was coming and restructured to meet the challenge - GM went crazy and almost drove all three companies out of business with the "employee pricing" which meant they were selling cars at a loss - My son worked for Ford at the time and Ford management was saying that the GM move was destroying the American auto industries but they finally had to match to stay in the game - but they also laid off a lot of people to compensate. Their foresight allowed them to survive without government take over and allowed them the freedom to operate as an independent company rather than a puppet of the Obama administration with their hands out for taxpayer money and the holding the unions on their backs. Now the unions are trying to punish them for their success. I am sure they are being egged on by the Czar laden Obama Administration - can't have a company that survives because it didn't wast taxpayer money can we.

Having worked in the auto industry (Chrysler) for over 35 years, I've seen both sides of the debate (Union/Management). First, I'd like to say that it has been proven that American built cars are NOT the junk that they once were. They are just as good, or better, than the foreign makes. However, too many times "deals" are cut by Corporate and the International Union that is only adopted in "theory" at the local plant level. I could give you hundreds of examples of where the local union continued to do "business as usual" and in order to "keep the peace" local management just went along. When they did try to challenge it, productivity was almost at a stand stilll. And with no support from "corporate", and the attitude the Union was always right, nothing ever changed. The waste in our auto plants is outrageous and with everyone protecting their little corner of the world and all the perks that go with it, nothing is going to change. It's unbelievable that the Ford UAW plants in Michigan were the ones who voted against any contract changes. Detroit is crumbling before their eyes and they still think the UAW is going to save them and their jobs. Look what's happened to so many other big Unions (Teamsters, Steel, Airlines, etc. etc. etc.). It's just a matter of time for the UAW.

I watched interviews of Ford UAW members and why they rejected the contract. All referred to the fact that Ford had made money in the 3rd quarter. Unfortuantely a short sided view by the UAW members. If they were really aware of the business finances of Ford they would have also realized that Ford has a 20 billion dollar debt that they will have to deal with in the coming year.

The greed of the unions is unbelievable. I have sited many manufacturing operations for large companies in my career and non-union areas are a basic parameter.

If I was to go buy a car today i would probably get me a Buick, I have usually always had a GM vehicle and i have one now, A Chevy Silverado...never a problem. i also have a Chrysler( built in Mexico )...never a problem and a Mitsubishi, again..no problem.

I am gload someone mentioned the 20 billion debt. I agree the short sihgtedness is disturbing. Today Ford is to be revealing information abouttheir turnaround plans. I am curios to see how fiat fits in besides offering better mpg. I owned in the past a taurus. nice middle class car went two times aroun the odometer. had no complaints.