http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/..._re_us/angry_auto_ad

SAVANNAH, Ga. – A Ford dealer angered over the proposed bailout of U.S. automakers blames the nation's sour economy on Congress and criticized buyers of Japanese cars, calling the vehicles "rice ready ... not road ready" in a radio ad.

O.C. Welch, who owns a dealership near Savannah in Hardeeville, S.C., began airing the minute-long ad on a dozen stations in the area over the weekend. The ad sounds more like a talk-radio tirade than a sales pitch.

"All you people that buy all your Toyotas and send that money to Japan, you know, when you don't have a job to make your Toyota car payment, don't come crying to me," Welch says in the ad. "All those cars are rice ready. They're not road ready."

Floyd Mori, executive director of the Japanese American Citizens League, said Welch's remarks evoke anti-Asian sentiments often aimed at Japanese and Chinese immigrants to the U.S. from the 1930s through World War II. He also noted many Japanese automakers' cars are manufactured in America.

"It's a blatant, ignorant, racist remark from somebody who should know better," Mori said.

Toyota spokesman Xavier Dominicis said the company's cars consistently receive high marks for quality. The automaker employs 36,600 Americans, he said, and about 60 percent of Toyota vehicles sold in the U.S. were manufactured here.

"How do you tell a worker in Kentucky who's producing a Toyota that his job is worth less than another American autoworker's?" Dominicis said.

The car dealer, though, said Tuesday he had received more positive calls than negative ones. His dealership sold 15 new cars Saturday — half of them to people drawn to the lot by the ad, he said.

Welch said he's mostly mad at politicians, blasting them in his ad as only being good for "slinging mud and spending our tax dollars." He said the government should offer tax incentives for consumers to buy new cars rather than spend money bailing out Ford, General Motors and Chrysler.

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I know their are a few bail out threads going on but figured this was worth a thread because this car dealer's approach is apparently working for him. And of course the race card was played up by the Japanese American Citizens League, paleeeaaaase

I think it is great, and fair game.

Marked as politics, is it?

Eh, I don't see the comment as racist but I can't say it's very catchy either. "rice ready?" Nissan/datsun, Toyota and Honda have been selling cars in the US for decades. I can't say they are better or worse than any domestic company.

Honestly I think the dealer has a lot to do with the sales problem. Cheesey commericals, finance anyone, deceptive tactics, sly salesmen...well you get the point. In general people don't like dealing with car dealers. I think a different approach like Saturn took for a while or like what Car Max has done might help sales.

It shows the stupidity of the American public. They have no idea how many japanese cars are actually made in the U.S. and how many of there beloved american are made in friggin Mexico.

Well, if you can't fight fair.... then let the mud fly....

Interesting tactic, but it only points out the faults of that dealership.

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: "All you people that buy all your Toyotas and send that money to Japan, you know, when you don't have a job to make your Toyota car payment, don't come crying to me,"

How about making vehicles that people want to buy based on their merits compared to their competitors? This just sounds like an excuse to make substandard vehicles, then project the blame onto potential buyers for not being patriotic.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: Well, if you can't fight fair.... then let the mud fly....

Yeah, great strategy, . You insult the customers that you lost before, .

Yup... don't try to win back lost customers with a better, lower cost product.... win them over with telling them how stupid they are.... gee... I wonder where this guy earned his business degree?

J.

15 cars on a Saturday aint a bad day, he claims that about half were brought in by the add too. So whatever you might think, his ploy is working.
I also do not know if he has a "business degree" or not. I do know that it is not a prerequisite for owning a business, in fact I guess you will be surprised that most business owners do not have any knid of "business degree" at all.

One of the things I thought was interesting was his criticism of congress and the auto bailout loan and his preference being a tax credit for new car purchases instead. I think that would have gotten the ball rolling a lot faster too, move product, get some cash in the coughers of the car companies so they could stay afloat and lean down as necessary. That one would really get the Japanese crying foul though. I say so what.

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: One of the things I thought was interesting was his criticism of congress and the auto bailout loan and his preference being a tax credit for new car purchases instead. I think that would have gotten the ball rolling a lot faster too, move product, get some cash in the coughers of the car companies so they could stay afloat and lean down as necessary. That one would really get the Japanese crying foul though. I say so what.

But, I'm not sure it would have sent the same message to the Big Three. Personally, I don't look at foreign badged brands for cars and trucks but, that's just me.

Ron

quote Originally posted by kwagner: How about making vehicles that people want to buy based on their merits compared to their competitors? This just sounds like an excuse to make substandard vehicles, then project the blame onto potential buyers for not being patriotic.

This guy does not make or design the cars, he only sells them. No doubt he was trying to push buttons, and he did. Pushing what seams like might be the wrong buttons won't hurt him one bit because people that think American cars are somehow substandard won't be buying them anyway.

[This message has been edited by Red88FF (edited 12-10-2008).]

sorry Mr Ford Dealer Man

america has grown tired of manufacturers who continually provide the barest of effort, and exist solely on customer loyalty - and NOT on providing a fine product.

I understand the contributions not made to ford but imports bought in america is part of our GDP not Japan's/europe's.
If the domestic car makers would make a products that follow what people want and not just focus on SUVs and trucks then they wouldn't be in this.
I saw yesterday about Obama giving the 15B but wants GM to do some upper managemeant cleaning and the same for some of the others.

I had a 2004 Focus ZX5 with full options for a few years and now drive a 2008 VW Rabbit 2.5s 5spd.....
I also had a 96 Nissan Sentra GXE at one time as well
I think in the world of econo boxes Imports win hands down in terms of ride quality, reliability, interior/materials, and overall what you get for your money.

quote Originally posted by Psychosis39: I understand the contributions not made to ford but imports bought in america is part of our GDP not Japan's/europe's.

Yup, a minus part.

Definition


Gross Domestic Product. The total market value of all final goods and services produced in a country in a given year, equal to total consumer, investment and government spending, plus the value of exports, minus the value of imports.

The domestic auto companies have consistently sold the US consumer short with subpar products, when at the same time they sold much better products overseas. I won't be buying an american car any time soon. I had my share of **** products from them. I've had two toyotas, one subaru, and one honda that treated me well and one oldsmobile, one chevy, one chrysler, and 3 buicks that all treated me poorly.

So worth posting here...

quote Originally posted by connecticutFIERO: The domestic auto companies have consistently sold the US consumer short with subpar products, when at the same time they sold much better products overseas. I won't be buying an american car any time soon. I had my share of **** products from them. I've had two toyotas, one subaru, and one honda that treated me well and one oldsmobile, one chevy, one chrysler, and 3 buicks that all treated me poorly.

I have all American and every damn one of them has been great!

I will be buying American, maybe not soon though. These Fords just don't break!

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: I have all American and every damn one of them has been great! I will be buying American, maybe not soon though. These Fords just don't break!

Ditto, that dam Subaru Legacy I owned was right up their with my Fiat.

quote Originally posted by pokeyfiero: I have all American and every damn one of them has been great! I will be buying American, maybe not soon though. These Fords just don't break!

Did you know that Ford released a Focus in Europe that was a completely different car than the piece of crap they released here? It's the UK's best selling car because it's awesome.

quote Originally posted by Red88FF: Ditto, that dam Subaru Legacy I owned was right up their with my Fiat.

Fiat, you actually admit to owning a Fiat!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Ron

quote Originally posted by connecticutFIERO: Did you know that Ford released a Focus in Europe that was a completely different car than the piece of crap they released here? It's the UK's best selling car because it's awesome.

I didn't know that.
I don't know how that is going to make me consider buying a Toyota.

Rice Ready?

Not exactly what I would call a great strategy for inviting owners of Japanese cars to come onto your lot with a trade in.

I sympathize with his frustrations about Congress, and Detroit but let's face it, the guy is a dumbass

But a dumbass with 15 new sales, and that's all that counted. I've never owned a foriegn badged vehicle, other than a tractor I inherited, and it was a
"fish & chips" ready machine--no rice there. Built by British Leyland.

And, it makes no difference where a vehicle is actually built or assembled. Most of the profit still goes back to the manufactorer's country of origin. They just use our labor, natural resources, and consumers to make that profit. Profit and GDP are 2 entirely diferent things.

ok I was to lazy to read this whole thread but I wanted to put my two cents in

What I don't understand is what makes my Honda that was built in Ohio by Ohioans so bad? I mean by me buying this car I am employing the workers who built it the guys at the dealership who sold it and the people who work on it when it needs an oil change. I understand the frustrations from the auto makers and the workers but sometimes they need to understand that Honda, Toyota and other "rice" makers employ people here in the US too

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/st...s/AALA/AALA2007p.pdf

JimBob gets told that Ford makes the Fusion in Mexico, JB then gets told the Camry is made in America, JB wants an SUV though to he goes to the Toyota dealership and purchases a brand spanking new highlander, and in blissful ignorance he drives away in what he thinks is an American SUV.

Now argue quality all you like, then you would at least have some ground to stand on. but when your talking about an import brand thats all of a sudden American, you had better check your facts. (unless your talking about Nissan, which shows an impressive lineup of American assembled AND at least a majority of American parts. ~65%)

Of course you couldn't miss the fact that almost every single model of Ford and GM vehicles (and a majority of Chrys) is built with at least 70% American parts AND produced here. (and the majority of those from Gm and ford are over 80%)

And at the exact opposite of the spectrum you find the new "american" brand TOYOTA!!!!!!

[This message has been edited by 4-mulaGT (edited 12-10-2008).]

now.. now.... buy American! We have to keep our local mechanics and auto parts store workers employed....

(yes... I owe a GM vehicle)

quote Originally posted by FieroAurora: ok I was to lazy to read this whole thread but I wanted to put my two cents in What I don't understand is what makes my Honda that was built in Ohio by Ohioans so bad? I mean by me buying this car I am employing the workers who built it the guys at the dealership who sold it and the people who work on it when it needs an oil change. I understand the frustrations from the auto makers and the workers but sometimes they need to understand that Honda, Toyota and other "rice" makers employ people here in the US too

You just sent a good portion of your purchase price out of the country, (to Japan) thus increasing the deficit, regardless of how many Americans were employed by Honda to build and sell you the vehicle. But, what most are saying, is for every Japanese vehicle bought, it supposedly detracts 1 vehicle from the number of American (big 3) automobiles sold. In other words, big 3 lost market share while Honda gained market share.

Your rationalization, that it was built in Ohio by Ohioans is just that--a rationalization to make yourself feel better about buying it. Don't worry--we all do it, some on 1-2 big purchases--some on many little bitty purchases, but we all are guilty.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-10-2008).]

and - they are also usually just assembled in the states. but, thats the same story the "big three" use, for their foriegn made "domestics". but, overall - the "capital" (the root of captilism) of a foriegn car maker is off shore. but - does not much matter anymore. we lost 10 years ago. just starting to realize it.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: You just sent a good portion of your purchase price out of the country, (to Japan) thus increasing the deficit, regardless of how many Americans were employed by Honda to build and sell you the vehicle. But, what most are saying, is for every Japanese vehicle bought, it supposedly detracts 1 vehicle from the number of American (big 3) automobiles sold. In other words, big 3 lost market share while Honda gained market share. Your rationalization, that it was built in Ohio by Ohioans is just that--a rationalization to make yourself feel better about buying it. Don't worry--we all do it, some on 1-2 big purchases--some on many little bitty purchases, but we all are guilty.

I do what I can do to buy American and that proves impossible a lot of times.
So when it comes to very large purchases I make sure it is American. I figure I can stem a lot of damage this way. Making these large purchases from outside companies causes twice the damage. It doesn't just hurt us it helps them. Not gonna happen in my driveway. It matters to me.

quote Originally posted by 4-mulaGT: Of course you couldn't miss the fact that almost every single model of Ford and GM vehicles (and a majority of Chrys) is built with at least 70% American parts AND produced here. (and the majority of those from Gm and ford are over 80%)

I know you said "almost", but your emphasis on "every single model" seems to trump it.
(GM) Aveo: 4%
(GM) Rendevous: 40%
(DC) PT Cruiser: 41%
(GM) HHR: 41%
(GM) Equinox: 50%
(GM) Torrent: 50%
(F) Focus: 50%
(F) Fusion: 50%
(F) MKZ: 50%
(F) Milan: 50%
The rest are close enough to 70%. But why aren't they all made 100% with parts from the USA? As long as the parts made here meet some threshold, then it's ok, but not before? Even the highest listed is 95%. That's a minimum of 5% of every vehicle being made with parts not from here. Personally, I think counting parts from Canada in there is disingenuous. It's the same as them being made in any other foreign country, isn't it?

My point (now, and earlier in this thread) is buying something solely for the sake of it being "Made in the USA" doesn't make sense. If it does the job you want and you're happy with it, fine. I have no problem with that. If I don't find it meeting whatever criteria I have set, and I buy something else instead, that doesn't make me less of an American. That makes me a smart shopper. If you want my money, make a product I want.

Aurora;

There are a few models of Honda and Nissan that are 65 or 70% domestic content; consistent with most big 3 vehicles. But in general most of the parts that go into the import brands are just that - imported. The thing is, the assembly plant is the most visible part, but ultimately only a small part of the labor that goes into making a car. Thus the assembly plant is the 'green' plant with the nice landscaping and the generous wages; and in general keeping up appearances. The assembly plant is the 'hood ornament' for the company's image. Meanwhile, the majority of the work goes on in scores of foundries, machine shop, plastics plants, etc where people are pulling $10-$12 and hour making all the pieces that go into the car. The big three support many more of the common folks at the suppliers and the suppliers' suppliers and on down the food chain.

This is why even though the imports have been providing some very good jobs for some very fortunate Americans, the US economy has lost upwards of half a million auto industry jobs over the last eight years. As the foreign companies have gained market share, the US has steadily lost decent jobs. Particularly up in the rust belt where the transplants know better than to try to do business; they don't need to have the UAW do the same thing to them that it has done with the domestic manufacturers. The Imports' main advantage is that they don't have 3 or 4 retirees to support for every worker that actually works for them currently (like the big 3 do)... thus they can either put more value into a car for the price, or make more profit from that car. Their options are more open.

Don't take it as name calling or talking down; not many people know about any of this. 4-mula GT posted this link a while back; it says a lot about where the money flows.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/st...s/AALA/AALA2007p.pdf

So there is some truth in the 'buy American' thing. And there is some truth in the 'foreign value' thing. It's true that someone in China that does the same job as me makes a fraction of what I make; and a worker in China that does the same job as you makes a fraction of what you make. It's up to each of us to make the value judgement of what we spend our money on, and whether it is important where it came from. I for one would like to look into importing some Chinese college kids and offering them Senate seats. We could show we're serious about cutting costs, and we'd at least know where their allegiances lie

[This message has been edited by D B Cooper (edited 12-10-2008).]

Uhlanstan..... heres a thread with you written all over it. LOL

That dealer is apparently upset that Toyota is better then Ford. Ford heres a lesson... match Toyota in quality for a fair price and the market is yours to win.

Until then dont knock American built Toyotas because you sell an inferior product. (GRIN)

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 12-10-2008).]

quote Originally posted by kwagner: I know you said "almost", but your emphasis on "every single model" seems to trump it. (GM) Aveo: 4% (GM) Rendevous: 40% (DC) PT Cruiser: 41% (GM) HHR: 41% (GM) Equinox: 50% (GM) Torrent: 50% (F) Focus: 50% (F) Fusion: 50% (F) MKZ: 50% (F) Milan: 50% The rest are close enough to 70%. But why aren't they all made 100% with parts from the USA? As long as the parts made here meet some threshold, then it's ok, but not before? Even the highest listed is 95%. That's a minimum of 5% of every vehicle being made with parts not from here. Personally, I think counting parts from Canada in there is disingenuous. It's the same as them being made in any other foreign country, isn't it? My point (now, and earlier in this thread) is buying something solely for the sake of it being "Made in the USA" doesn't make sense. If it does the job you want and you're happy with it, fine. I have no problem with that. If I don't find it meeting whatever criteria I have set, and I buy something else instead, that doesn't make me less of an American. That makes me a smart shopper. If you want my money, make a product I want.

Ok, you caught me

You gotta admit thats not very many cars though....

But in response to your second point, you are absolutely correct, that is the essence of a free market. But the market is not balanced competitively among all competitors. Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian factories can hire people for much less then Americans, they have greatly reduced costs of operation due to lower (if not nonexistent) Environmental, Safety, and workplace Regulations, with lower taxes as well.

Fact is that it would be just fine to purchase a Korean product, as long as someone else in the world was purchasing yours. Heck, it wouldn't even be a problem if the product you were purchasing retained its exact value, but when Americans purchase 100 million dollars worth of plastic trinkets from china then 100 million dollars just left the country.

If you delete currency from the picture, what does the US produce that has original value? You could say our coal produces value (if other countries purchase it) Lumber produces value, Iron Ore produces value, taking resources from many sources and assembling them into one product that has a gross value higher then its original resources (and sold oversees) produces original value. (im sure theres a proper name for it)

Im no economist, so if im way off base here give me a break, im just a layman using logic and what I can observe to make my decisions. I purchase american wherever I can, and if that means that I run the risk of purchasing a lower quality product then so be it, I would rather be employed with a car that just gets me from point A to B then to purchase a Lexus for the same price and become homeless.

quote Originally posted by 4-mulaGT: Ok, you caught me

quote You gotta admit thats not very many cars though....

Agreed, though I'm unsure of the %age of each that are sold/produced, since they don't make the same # of corvettes they do cobalts for example.

quote Im no economist, so if im way off base here give me a break, im just a layman using logic and what I can observe to make my decisions.

I'm right there with ya

I agree with what you're saying for the most part. I've heard over the years that the US is moving from a 'tangible' product producer (widgets a,b, and c) to an 'intangible' producer (intellectual property and all that jazz), Not sure how correct that statement is.

One thing I do know is this. Buying something solely because it's the cheapest of something you need, and relatively comparable on features (though likely not quality) is just as bad a decision as buying solely for where it's made, or any other reason. Yet look at where we are today because of things going to the lowest bidder. Employers have done it, consumers have done it. It's a vicious cycle: As jobs leave, people have less to spend, so they go for cheaper products and services, which put people out of business and lowering margins by moving things overseas, which puts people out of jobs, and on it goes.

From that perspective, about the only thing you can do is buy "Made in the USA". Or, try to start up a business that sell things to people/businesses in foreign countries, to help offset foreign-bought stuff. Then again, I don't think "only looking at the bottom line" is a purely USian trait. Higher tariffs perhaps? Someone get an economist in here, stat!

We have a toyota plant here, suburu and izusu. They all make parts and assemble cars and sell them in local dealers. we also have Ford, GM and Chrysler plants that make parts that go overseas....

Its hard to really decide what is import and what isn't anymore.

[This message has been edited by User00013170 (edited 12-10-2008).]

quote Originally posted by User00013170: We have a toyota plant here, suburu and izusu. They all make parts and assemble cars and sell them in local dealers. we also have Ford, GM and Chrysler plants that make parts that go overseas.... Its hard to really decide what is import and what isn't anymore.

No it isn't. Ask yourself this: "Where are the corporate headquarters?" "In which country is the company incorporated?"
In the case of publicly traded companies, a case could be made of asking "Where are the majority (51%) stockholders located, but it is almost always the same country where Corp hq is.
Follow the money. It goes back there.

If you can't figure it out, there is over a 90% chance, that you will be supporting American companies if you just always buy American brand names.

And, as stated above, every foreign product purchased decreases the # of domestic products purchased because a decreased market share--thus a debateable quantity of decrease in the number of jobs.

Personally, I am willing to sacrifice a bit in quality and pay a higher purchase price to support US companies. For me, it's not worth it to see the nation's businesses fail simply because I want to save a little or to have a bit better quality, which is always subjective anyway.

I am maryjane. I am an American. I try to buy American. I want my money to stay in America.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-10-2008).]

For me, it's fairly simple. Since my own paycheck comes from an automotive supplier, I'd limit my choices to looking at my employer's customers' offerings. That way I know for a fact some of the purchase price came straight back to me.

That and I know exactly what to expect from the suspension design and materials of construction.

[This message has been edited by D B Cooper (edited 12-10-2008).]

quote Originally posted by blackrams: Fiat, you actually admit to owning a Fiat! Sorry, couldn't help myself. Ron

Heh, and I learned from that mistake too. I was 17 and she was a 1973 850 Sport Spider. That thing taught me all about cars in a hurry, almost unbelievable what went wrong with that beast under 30,000 miles. But but but but the chicks dug the car!

We own nothing but American cars and trucks and all of them have been dam good, even the Formula.

I have issues with anybody trying to tell me what to buy and how to spend my money!

quote Originally posted by madcurl: I have issues with anybody trying to tell me what to buy and how to spend my money!

Who is doing that?

Another sad indicator that Detroit and its dependents still don't get it. Build a quality product at a competitive price, and you'll be successful. Build sub-par crap and charge more than the competitors, and you'll fail. Detroit has had 30+ years to close the gap, and has only recently begun to approach the needed quality levels. Too little, too late.

Don't blame consumers for buying a better car. Blame Detroit for not bothering to be competitive.