Politico wanders around the White House employee parking lot
March 31, 2009 4:25 pm ET by Eric Boehlert
Here's the "news":
With President Barack Obama showing the ailing U.S. auto industry some tough love Monday, POLITICO wondered -- what's in the driveways of White House aides? A lot of foreign cars, as it turns out...The lot was sprinkled with BMWs, Mercedes, Hondas, Toyotas, Saabs, Audis, Volkswagens and a Volvo.
Here's how the item would have made sense [emphasis added]:
With President Barack Obama showing the ailing U.S. auto industry some tough love Monday, and urging everybody to buy American cars, POLITICO wondered -- what's in the driveways of White House aides? A lot of foreign cars, as it turns out.
But Obama didn't do that, so the item's pretty much pointless. Also, aren't lots of BMW's, Mercedes, Hondas and Toyotas, y'know, made in America these days?
"Also, aren't lots of BMW's, Mercedes, Hondas and Toyotas, y'know, made in America these days?"
Thank you. The whole "buy American" concept doesn't really apply in the age of globablization. Many (most?) of these "Japanese" cars are actually produced in places like Kentucky.
"One would have to be very, very wealthy to run right out and replace one's car. That kind of fashionable consumption would be more appropriate for Louis the Sun King's court."
People did at one point- they'd trade up every few years, to keep up with the latest model. People have been saying that the economic crisis might have an upside if it changes the American attitude by training a new generation to live within their means. An end to planned obsolescence would be a useful factor in such a restructuring.
The truth of the matter is that foreign car manufacturers have opened more plants in the US/North America than US carmakers have over the last 10 years. US carmakers are busy closing plants, and moving them to low cost nations, such as Mexico.
And remember, for every foreign car company that opens a plant in the US, not only do you get jobs for that specific manufacturing plant, but you also get a lot of jobs out of suppliers selling parts to said manufacturing plants, and by law, they have to use a majority of American made parts. I believe last time I heard, the Camry's being sold in the US were 100% American made (vendors and Kentucky).
It's almost hard to pin down what companies are building what where these days.
And Saab and Volvo are owned by GM and Ford.
Great scoop, Politico.
Over the course of about 15 years, Ford had slowly increased its stake in Mazda to culminate at a 34% controlling interest. They've sold the bulk of it as of late 2008, but still maintain about 14%.
You're right about Toyota. I tell my Kentucky friends, "you wanna help Kentucky's economy? Buy a Camry."
Anyone want to bet that every cable "news" network is going to cover this issue all week long? The fake outrage and chest thumping will be stupendous.
Who knows what is in their drive way? My wife and I both own Fords but lots of families in my neighborhood have two manufacturers' makes in the driveway. Unless Politico was using O'Reilly tactics and stake out their homes?