Forign made parts? Nothing new!

[charlese]

We have recently seen surprise and shock when realizing some Shopsmith parts made outside the U.S.A. Why is this a surprise? Shopsmith is one of the products that's resisting this global marke change.

Did you know the American Brand automobiles - Called "The Big Three" are made up of less than 50% American made parts? While The Toyota Camry consists of 60% made in America parts. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/12/american.cars/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Hate to bust a bubble, but knowledge is a good thing! It really takes a lot of homework to try to buy American.

[a1gutterman]

Hi Chuck,
I will knot take the time to research every car out there, but my 2007 Chevrolet Impala came with documentation that states it was 100% built in the USA using 95% made in USA parts.

That is one of the reasons that I purchased it. :p

[charlese]

Yep! In 2007, we also didn't see many SS parts not made in U.S.A. Things have changed quickly!

[doug45601]

We are going global! Next will be alliens making stuff for us! My last tour of duty was in Japan and they are sincere about their products used for themselves and for the US markets.. They really don't want to deliver a bad product.

I do get the full understanding of buying and using products made and manufactured in the US over non-US made things but, it is getting to a point that government has put in motion a trade policy that we are having a difficult time living with.

Working for KW Trucking, the trucks are built in the US but lots of the parts used come from Overseas... Manufactures just can't do the same products for the same dollar or less. Unions have prevented many would-be-workers to accept jobs in manufacturing that could possibly make the same items. Not knocking the Unions but it does seem thay have alot to do with it.

Trade with overseas countries has been in our history for years and will continue to be there as long as we demand products that the US can not compete with in manufacturing.

Your US made car that is 95% made from US parts runs on OIL from overseas. The computer you use to read and write comments on is probably from Japan.

However, don't give up! Eat a bananna,, I think they grow them in the States!

[charlese]

This site was surprising to me. I wasn't at all surprised by the automobile sales people in California, but I was surprised by the huge variances in average industry wages. Just roll the cursor over the map. http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/12/map.us.auto/index.html?eref=rss_topstories