Are foreign cars, such as hybrid cars, un-American?

I am a hybrid car zealot. The upside, the potential, is just too much to ignore. The automobile is already such an important part of the American psyche and lifestyle, and hybrids; therefore, offer the average American a real choice. Either continue along our pollution spewing, global warming, blood for oil campaign of self-glorification, or decide to make the world a better place – today, not tomorrow.

Yet, many oppose hybrids because the technology is totally dominated by Japanese carmakers. “Hungry? Eat your Foreign Car.” According to an article by Peter Bohr the logic goes, “When you buy American products, you keep American families employed. When you buy foreign-made products, you send your money to a foreign country, putting Americans out of work, adding to the trade deficit, and decreasing the tax revenue available to our government.”

While that logic does seem to make sense, is it true? In particular, is it true when it comes to cars.

According to Bohr’s article take Chrysler’s PT Cruiser for example. Chrysler, one of Detroit’s Big Three, is made in Mexico and imported into America. Furthermore, in 1998 Chrysler was bought out by Germany’s Daimler-Benz. Is that American? And Mexican manufacturing isn’t limited to only one of America’s “Big 3”. Not only does Ford assemble cars in Mexico, but also Canada.

On the other hand, many American driven Toyotas and Hondas are built in Kentucky and Ohio. How un-American?

Furthermore Bohr states, “Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors imported components worth nearly $20 billion from Mexico. This makes it likely that vehicles from the Big Three American automakers have more foreign-made parts than the vehicles built by foreign automakers in the U.S.”

“Yeah, but all those profits from Japanese carmakers go back to Japan, while American profits stay here,” you might be saying. But according to Toyota’s Joe Tetherow, “..most of those profits are reinvested here. For example, we’re spending $800 million on a new truck plant in Texas.” Un-American?

The fact is the global economy is reality. While some might think they are trying to prevent it, or that it can be prevented, it has already happened. Unless you are buying everything from a mom-and-pop shop, you are supporting the global economy, and you are sending profits to outside of America. There is no simple answer to this black and white issue, there just is.

You, the consumer, must decide what is best. When it comes to cars, there is no such thing as “American Made”. So, if you still want to buy a Ford because it’s more American Made, go ahead. But, it you want to buy a “foreign” hybrid car, because it will make the world a better place, don’t let “American Made” arguments be your deterrent.