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PanteraKitty

Years of preaching Japanese = good, American = bad are hard to overcome. About 15 - 20 years ago the American auto Industry got a lot of the quality issues sorted out.....but no one noticed. The preconcieved notion Japanese = Good, American = Bad remained.

Actually, at the Atlanta Assembly Plant, our quality comparison target was the Camry. Honda was never considered.

I have not been impressed with anything they have done in the last 5 - 10 years so I will probably buy the wife another Grand Marquis after she wears out this one. F-250, Honda, and Pantera will be maintained and run forever.

dlq04

From AE:

There are even some in this country who believe that the continued erosion of the U.S. manufacturing base is no big deal, that we can exist just swimmingly fine as a Starbucks Nation of consumer zombies who devour everything in sight but who don

RC - Ryder

Right on, Dave. I wish it were possible to start endless new manufacturing bases and cottage endless industries, but the permits, rules, pay scales, and regulations impede the process. Did you know there remains only one foundary in the country that is able to pour something the size of a tank turret?

PanteraKitty

Would that foundry be at the John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works?

RC - Ryder

Supposedly Lima, OH.

RedY2KS2k

We've nearly achieved an economy where we import all manufactured goods and export only raw materials...the definition of a Third World country.

RC - Ryder

Sad but true. The difference, however, is that we have the skilled labor, engineering, and venture capital to do it, while they have the low labor costs, limited environmental regulations, low to none corporate taxes, and minimal government intervention to enable it - if they had the capital. When the former third world countries do get the capital - like China, India, Brazil, Eastern Europe - and the rules and regs and taxes are not oppressive or impediments, then these countries can emerge.
We've lost most of our heavy major manufacturing bases because we are no longer willing to compete on equal terms.

dlq04

Sadly, MI has already hit 3rd world numbers.... look at the unemployment rate and debt for it!

http://www.propublica.org/special/is-your-...m-in-danger-603

tof

Speaking of tractors, we also export a good bit of grain and other ag output. Food, feeds, and beverages exports totaled 108 billion in 2008.

And frankly the picture isn't as bleak as you might think. We sell more than just big macs and cokes to the rest of the world.

Our trade deficit in December, 2008, the most recent data I was able to find with a quick search, was the lowest in five years. (Credit the recession I suppose.)

Our largest export: capital goods (medical equipment, materials handling equipment, industrial and civilian aircraft engines, telecom equipment, machine equipment, etc.) We actually ran a trade SURPLUS of 15.7 billion dollars during 2008 in this catagory.

We also export our skills and knowledge. Services exports in 2008 totaled half a trillion dollars.

U.S. Dept of Commerce Export Fact Sheet