Quote:
Originally Posted by DGthe3
Then please explain how they sell 2x as many Buicks in China than they do in the US
|
China has strict laws on local content and local manufacturing. Also, the Joint Ventures GM has (SGM, Wueling (sic?)) can not be foreign owned. In fact GM just sold the 1% controling interest back to SGM, now owning only 49%. Korea is another tough market to export to. No real laws, but apparently you are statistically more likely to get a tax audit if you buy a foreign car.
No one understands the advantage that a strong CAPTIVE/PROTECTED home market gives Japan, Korea and Germany.
Quote:
Originally Posted by nickmccally
First of all, I don't know a single person that owns a buick.
|
Hopefully that will change soon.
Don't anyone count Toyota out. They have a government that backs them like no other company in the world. Nearly 0% interest rates for borrowing, no legacy costs for healthcare, still have Billions in the bank. And Japan will make sure $/Yen is to their advantage. And we Americans have short memories. I firmly believe that when people have problems with foreign cars (note I don't use import
) they simply say to themselves "man, just imagine how many problems I would have if I bought American". So unless this current issue continues for months or grows even bigger, they will find their way back in the hearts and minds of Americans sooner than you think. And don't forget, Hyundai/Kia are waiting in the wings. They are currently running the Toyota playbook on a much faster timeline.