Poll For Increased North American Content

[W. WIllie]

Got a link for your statement?

 

[Trusting]

I don't know a lot about this so take it for what it's worth.

I do know that people who are avid VW bug fans look down on the ones made in Mexico because of the poor quality and workmanship.

Years back I bought a new Sony rear projector TV. When I was setting it up I noticed two things. First, a sticker on the back saying it was assembled in Mexico and second, half the screws that held the back panel in place were not there.

Finally, because of a marriage in my family I have relatives in Mexico. They are quite well to do and among them they own three manufacturing plants (that I know of) and I've been taken on a tour of all three. One makes shoes, one makes various leather goods and one makes parts for the auto industry. In all three cases I was not impressed with what I saw. The goal of the plants was to make the product as cheaply as possible and forget about quality. God help us if the Elio is full of Mexican parts!

 

[NSTG8R]

When was the last time you heard someone say "I gotta get me one of these, it's made in Mexico!"

Cinco de Mayo! They were having a special on Patron margarita's at the local pub!

 

[Karg]

Hi,

The Elio will be made mostly of parts from Mexico, what do you think North American content means?

 

[Coss]

Hi,

The Elio will be made mostly of parts from Mexico, what do you think North American content means?

I sure hope you have proof, because otherwise, your just blowing hot air up every ones pant leg.

So let's see it .......... No I'm not kidding.........
I repeat, let's see the proof you have, that shows it is using all parts made in Mexico.

 

[RSchneider]

From my manufacturing experience, most parts will come within the geographical area and if they are to be made in the US, most likely in TN, SC, NC, MS, AL, LA and TX. They tend to avoid the northern states due to the unions. As for Mexican made parts for the US, they are normally from the northern part of Mexico just because where many plants are. Don't forget, many suppliers are from Canada. If you are a European company, many parts come from the former Eastern block countries.

When it comes to quality, I don't see a difference in what country it's from. I do see a difference on what plant it comes from though. Bad ones in any country produce bad product. Good ones produce good. I'd rather have a good Mexican built product as opposed to a bad American one. As for a general assessment for American plants, non union southern plants are more friendlier and they work harder because they appreciate their job, thus do better work. This is not a non-union or political statement, just my observation in general.

 

[Coss]

The difference is that to make a statement that all parts are made in Mexico and then not being able to prove or disprove it means your spreading bogus information. In other words it's just words with no proof; not everyone is as trusting as you, and would like to see where they are made.

 

[Interested]

I would be more interested in the cost for the parts and the total sent to each country. Also, what constitutes a part? Is an engine one part or hundreds? Percentage of content isn't telling us if most of our money for the vehicle is being sent out of the country or not. American (or should I say United States of America?) jobs are important, but what if we are only doing the final assembly and most the cost of the vehicle is going out of the country for the parts? "North American Content" isn't very helpful in determining if we would actually be helping the United States or adding to a trade deficit.

That said, I did just buy 38 more shares this week. Its a gamble based on the information we have been getting, but with the price so low and no bad news, I'm taking the chance.

 

[2barrel]

Mexico is currently the second largest exporter of vehicles to the United States about to overtake Japan.
If you own a car it may have been manufactured in Mexico or contains North American content made in Mexico.

Those of us who are old "seasoned" enough remember when made in Japan meant it was a piece of junk. Today American auto makers are trying to meet Japanese automaker standards on fit and finish. At this point if they can build it with Mexican parts just build it. My Minicooper's engine was made in Brazil and I had no engine problems for 10 years. From my understanding the early German VW bugs had a few problems.

 

[Hog]

Yup - "Made in America" in the American rail industry means made with >50% American supplied parts, it doesnt even have to be assembled here. When it is, it is assembled with H1B visa holders, so Americans do not not even get the assembly jobs, they just supply some accessory parts. I have seen this many times in Boston, NY, Chicago, and elsewhere. I do not believe there is an American steel making company left in existence anymore, at least not one big enough to supply the transportation sector. The steel for the commuter trains comes from Brazil. The "Made in America" addendum's to the contracts are a big joke. America, (and the EPA), has priced the domestic steel industry out of existence. Ford Transits are made in Turkey, shipped to NJ, stripped and the interiors sent back to Turkey to be put in the next one, then converted to the delivery vehicles you see today. (There is an import ban on small trucks). They can do all this and still make money on it. I never cease to be amazed.