Re Carney says Trump’s demands would dismantle Canadian auto industry
Well, the Tradesman says, Japan, UK, Germany and other foreign nations dismantled the US auto industry starting in 1969. Before 1970 practically every car on the roads were US made. I myself will NEVER buy an imported car. I don’t think any patriotic American should buy an imported car no matter how allegedly perfect they are.
Plus, before 1970 the biggest group on new car buyers were under 25 years old. We were buying new Chevys Fords Pontiacs Oldsmobiles etc after coming out of high school. Priced $2500 to $3000 and three year loans. The minimum wage in constant value dollars, was equal to today’s $55/hr back then.
“Japan, UK, Germany and other foreign nations dismantled the US auto industry starting in 1969”
No, Hubris in Detroit explains the decline.
They ignored the implications of higher gas prices.
Their business model revolved around Planned Obsolesence.
Japan built smaller and more fuel efficient cars. With better reliability, until recently.
Then they got really smart with mainstream then upscale badges (like Buick and Cadillac) but with better quality to match.
“I don’t think any patriotic American should buy an imported car”
That attitude, along with protectionism out of DC (aka Import Substitution), will lead to one thing.
Enduring Mediocrity. (which is what we’ve had)
And then total demise.
PS – a fair chunk of Nissans and Toyotas are assembled in US plants or just across the border.
Because of importing more than we export, wealth creating tax paying jobs, since 1970, we have more poor people than ever. Plus because so many manufacturing tax paying manufacturing businesses closed up, plus lower wages, and less taxes coming in, we have a $40 trillion national debt. Plus if a Jap car is twice as good, it should cost twice as much. Besides that, non US countries supply free health care insurance. US businesses have to pay them. Re the assembly plants are I believe made with imported parts. They can get more cars on a ship if in parts. WE created 700,000 new middle class people just in China. USA has far less middle class people. China is more capitalist and USA is more socialist because of the wealth drain here.
Carney followed up with, ‘Hold my beer!’