Don't take this the wrong way guys, but Americans are notorious for not knowing much about the rest of the world. You are discovering the tip of the iceberg. It's been going on for many, many years and in more ways than you dare imagine. Ask your politicians why they treat you like mushrooms. But don't believe the answer.

I hate politics and don't want to go down that road, but that and $ is the root. No one will dare "offend" the Chinese while they will make and do stuff for cents an hour, with virtual slave labor and no health and safety precautions. On the other side they also dangle the carrot of "we'll open up our market to you..." They know they hold the cards. And a billion + people.

These days, you choose made in Japan if you can. Most Japanese brands (of anything) aren't actually made in Japan - because it's too expensive. They manufacture in China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and South Korea. Did I leave some out? Oh Vietnam and India (where half the world's total supply of computer nerds come from).

One good thing though, Rodders Journal is printed in Asia so we get it before you guys do. He he!

Sometimes we have to look to ourselves for why? Since we rebuilt Japan after WWII our country has bee in the nation building business. We have taken our technology, education, food and politics around the world to improve those less fortunate. We could debate the "real reason" but lets say many people have better lives because of it. I hate to see jobs leave with our industrial base and I beleive it will bad for us in the future. However, most of us have nice homes, a couple of cars and plenty to eat because of what we sent around the world.

My business rises and falls with China today, a few years ago it was Russia and of course there is Brazil. My costs are all up because of global competition to feed the growing population. China wants steel... equipment prices are up, China needs fertilizer nitogen goes up you get the picture.

So I do like everyone in business does adapt, change look for another angle and be damn glad sombody has the money to buy what I have to sell. Oh and get up every day and be glad I can complain about hw bad it here in the US ....

tiraid over..... soap box smashed.

I saw a show the other night that said the top 4- selling cars in the U.S. are made in Japan.

Can you say NISSAN--HONDA--TOYOTA Ford and GM are laying off 30,000 people each this month. Next time you pull up to a stop light, Look Around and count them, There just like Wal-Mart "Everywhere" Thats not their fault, Face the facts, They do it cheaper than the US can. Thats what made Wally World the largest employer in the country. The Trade Deficit was the worst in history last month. Atleast until December numbers come out. Americans want to pay half price for things and expect them to last for ever. Do you remember financing your first Micro-Wave, Most people had to, Now like so many other things, They are Disposable. And Damn few if any are made in the US Just in my office, The computer screen, TV, Fax, Phone, Printer, My cigarette lighter and even my Stapler are not made in the US and They are all trash when they quit working, You just go get another one, My wifes new printer cost less than the ink cartridges for mine. So what do you do?? Impose Teriffs and taxes on these imported items, Who do you think will scream louder, The Japaneese or the Americans that like these low cost items that only they seem to be able to produce and ship direct to Wal-Mart. Are our elected officials blind,Stupid, or just don't give a damn. I am so tired of this catch 22 phrase "Politically Correct" It along with the death of "Common Since" in this country has gone way to far. You can sit there and say we build a better car than they do, If you think that, Do Not Pass Go--Do Not Collect $200.00 Read the top of this post again, The top 4-selling cars in this country are made in japan. Do you remember thinking--Man that 64 Chevy is sweet, Check out the lines on that 68, Look at the crap out there right now and tell me who made it, Or what is it??Truck Car Van???I have no idea. How many models did GM make this year??35-40 I don't believe they remember any of their own History. Sorry I got side-tracked. This all got started by reading one comment, You have got to Vote and hold these scum bags responsible for their actions, Or lack of. If the Japs want to export 10-million cars this year, Fine, Then you import 10-million from here, Sounds simple just tell us what colors,Hell, we don't know what they are either. I know so many people that say they just don't get involved with politics, I'm here to tell you that has got to change, I can speak a few words in spanish but I ain't never gonna catch on to this jibberish these boys speak

RLP-----thinking that Quarter he spent in French was a poor decision!!!

Hey guys, if you can stand another thought or two on the 'made in America' discussion.....

In a younger day I worked in three different American car dealerships as a detail/get ready guy etc. One task I dreaded was having to get a car in off the lot for prep during winter. This always involved jumper cables, cans of ether, and the Popes blessings to get the things running then keep them running long enough to drive them in. Spit, pop. cough, stall, then start over.

I then got a job at a Toyota dealership. I had never been around anything foreign before, and didn't know what to expect, except more of the same. What a surprise! I would go to cars that had sat for months-hit the key and wham! Instant start, and the things would sit there and purr like a sewing machine-in single-digit temps! I couldn't believe it!

Next, I would see cars come in for mileage-interval service with 150k on the odometer and you couldn't hear the things run if you were 20 feet away! Amazing!

I was sold easily. I've owned two Toyota trucks and one car since and would never go back. These cars are by the way made here in the good old USA, in factories which employ thousands of our countrymen.

I know it's a sin whats happening to the US makers, but over the years they've brought it all on themselves. I know that in recent years there have been some improvements, but in years past they were making real crap. There was no comparison in quality. Still isn't for my money. The Japs knew we would pay for the quality, and they provided it. Can't blame them. Corporate America asked for this, big-time.

I don't have the answer to the trade deficit, etc., but I know that paying out my hard-earned dollars for crap doesn't ring true to me.

Graycat

Besides my old Chevy hotrod, I hadn't owned an American made vehicle in 25 years, until 1999 when I bought a Chevy pickup. It sure looked slick, but I had problems within 6 months and GM would not fix it, said it was normal. Sure enough, other manual shift trucks that I drove had a similar problem. After messing with GM for over a year and no satisfaction, I sold the truck at a loss, with only 5900 miles. And wouldn't you know it, 2 or 3 months later I got a letter from GM announcing a fix. Too late. I won't be back, especially since GM vehicles now have OnStar, and their trucks now are 6 lug. What the hell are they thinking? I wanna buy American, but something's gotta change.

I hate to hear this about American Racing. I'm going to let em know how I feel when I attend car shows. I wanted to buy a set before warm weather returns, but now I won't.

For the last few years Lexus, Toyota and Honda were found to be the most reliable cars with the least amount of repairs. GM, Ford and Chrysler just don't have the quality of Japanese vehicles. Everything on the Japanese vehicles fit and works as advertised. My last Japanese truck was a 97 Toyota 4 Runner, had it for 5 years until some idiot hit it head on and totaled it. Nothing and I mean nothing ever went wrong with that truck. At that time Toyota was not offering any financing incentives, so I bought a Chevrolet Trailblazer 4x4 at zero % . The truck has had several minor problems but it sure doesn't match the 4 Runner when it comes to fit and finish. My daughter has a Lexus 470 SUV with over 70,000 miles on it and has never had anything go wrong with it. When it's time to replace my Trailblazer, Im going back to Toyota or Lexus. Who needs the hassle of car and truck repairs?