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NewslettersMy take on the Veterans Day parade
Overall, I was very impressed. After that, I called a few friends and thanked them for serving. They were, to a person, most appreciative. Nope, we don't thank them enough.
OK, here are a few observations:
1. Politicians — travel, at least in parades, in American cars. Those produced by GM, Ford and Chrysler. A Mini Cooper, Ms. Erickson? That's a German car, made by BMW. Rep. Hodges, you're walking a fine line in your Volvo. Volvo is owned by Ford, but it isn't made by Americans. Port Royal Mayor Sam Murray was over the line in a Mercedes. Would have sort of worked earlier in the year when Daimler owned Chrysler, but no longer. I'm from Detroit. I ALWAYS notice what people drive, particularly in context. The most American of days, which I think Veterans Day qualifies, puts every vehicle in context.
I know it's hard to stay true to American workers with many, if not most of the products we buy, but thankfully with automobiles, it's still really easy to choose American. Their quality is now on par with foreign competitors and often at a lower cost. Try one, you'll like it. To head off anticipated questions, I drive a 2002 Pontiac Grand Am. I've owned nine cars in my life, eight of them American. I admit, I have a 20-year-old Mercedes I bought eight years ago that stays in the garage. I have more into it than I could get selling it, so I keep it.
2. It was really cool how bystanders along Bay Street applauded for veterans.
3. It is amazing how many junior ROTC members in our high school. That gives hope for the future of our volunteer armed forces.
4. Noticing all the veterans saluting the flag when presented humbled me. All I could do was put my hand over my heart.
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I personally don't want to see a car break down and screw up the parade. A few years a go, a brand new AMERICAN made Chrysler sped out of control and ran over a few people in the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade. Why? Poorly made American car. Shoot, 2/3rd of GM, Ford, and Chryler's revenue comes from replacement parts! When you have to resort to telling potential buyers that your car company has the largest dealer network (GM) so you can get your car fixed anywhere, you've got a problem.
People buy Hondas, Toyotas, Mercedes-Benz, BMWs, and Volvos because those cars do NOT break down so much.
I think the US brands have made lots of improvements in reliability over the years, probably due to the competition from foreign cars. I now have a Chevvy pickup and a Honda Oddysey,
Back in the 1970 and 1980s, I had several Mercedes diesels, mostly because of the gas shortages back then. I never had a problem finding diesel fuel. But even Mercedes can have problems. I had to drive to Charleston for some warranty work which was an inconvenience.
Then I had a freak problem during our snow in 1989. It had been a cold wet Christmas Eve with near freezing weather during that day. We started our about 10:00PM to go to a Christmas Eve service, backed out of the garage and I heard a loud thump. Thinking I may have run over something, I looked, but didn't see anything. So we took off and noticed that the car was going up and down on the highway as if it had no shocks. The following workday, I took it down very slowly to the Hilton Head dealer. They said the seals were broken on both rear shocks from frozen mud. I said, this is a German car, made for weather much worse than we ever have in SC and it broke because of frozen mud? I paid 180.00 each for the air assisted shocks. I have not bought a Mercedes since.
Spending time repairing euro-cars in Germany, I came back to this country and worked for several dealerships of american/japan models. I worked to mid-management(82-86) before I decided that I had two choices: 1)wait to get fired 2)go back to "wrenchen".-- The asians were taking the germans head on but the american auto workers were throwing tantrums with upper-management(to include dealership vs upper-management,upper-management vs dealership, system vs system). I took the third option(of which I won't express here). The american auto has improved vastly over the 70-90 years era. The american buyer now has to look at politics when buying a car. I buy a car that has the most "spare parts in stock" and those must be in country. Back to your $180.00 shocks...a machine shop visit could of done you well. You are right about the inconvenience...shame to the dealership.
1. It's "MINI." All capitals so as not to confuse with the original Mini. A German car? Hardly. Manufactured in Cowley, England, presumably by British citizens. Absentee ownership by BMW? Yes.
2. "It's still really easy to choose American." Really? Actually....not so much. I own 3 vehicles, all trucks. The Ford was built in Mexico, presumably by Mexicans. The Chevrolet was built in Canada and the Toyota in Indiana by primarily American workers. Which one(s) are "American?"
3. The 2002 Pontiac Grand Am was indeed assembled in Lansing, Michigan, but contains more than 15% "foreign" parts. So....are you really driving "American?"
3. Bloggers who masquerade as journalists often fail to do their homework.
I'm way ahead of you on that argument. Yes, some domestic cars are made in other countries. Some foreign cars are made here. The key difference? Where do the profits go? If they stay in the country, that means people are investing in American companies. Those profits generate tax reveue for our government, not Japan's or Germany's. HUGE difference!
Maybe John Delorean will have a good name. ie/what has been happening on that front. I like what he did, good dream.
Nope.....still behind. The "profits" pale in comparison to the salaries and benefits paid to the employees. You are advocating loyalty to one of the old "Big Three" which doesn't mind paying Mexicans the wages and benefits, while withholding support for a Japan-based company who is employing the American worker. It's just faulty thinking.
I wouldn't mind seeing the availability of an American automobile, made with American parts, and assembled by American workers......but the UAW has just about made that impossible.
Numbers 2,3, and 4 - :) That's really nice and I would have loved seeing that as well. I had to go out of town Monday. Next year, I'm there to enjoy those sites though!
The only thing I have to say about cars is they are too expensive! I only buy used and it must be Honda or Toyota because of the reliablity record. My heart tugs for the Dodge Charger though...I LOVE that car!
Mrs.S