[Len_A]

Originally Posted by soccerjunky

the the big 3 make hundreds of thousands of cars in a year for the MASSES. They are not a boutique manufacturer like the BMW's, MB, Porsche, Audi's, Vdub, infiniti, lexus type manufacturers who make tens of thousands of cars that are marketed to a higher income bracket. In order to make those cars affordable to the masses, the big 3 can't load them up with top grain leathers, and have 1micrometer gaps in body panels, etc etc etc. (however, GM does make a lot of innovations that beat the boutiques to market: MSRC, heads up display, PDC, onstar to name a few). If they did, the average american wouldn't be able to afford them, it's a simple concept.

Also, the US economy is heavily reliant on the big 3, 1 in 8 US jobs is in some way related to the automotive industry. It's everyone's right to be critical, but to be undeservedly critical of a US manufacturer that has come a long way in the last 10 years and is part of the foundation of the US economy is absolutely short sighted and ignorant.

Do I buy American exclusively ? Nope, I'm a car guy, every car has it's pros and cons for different lifestyles, but I won't completely disregard US brands because of historical stereotypes that no longer hold true for many models

Well said. Very well said.

And don't forget Ford's (and Microsoft's) SYNC - voice command over your nav, phone AND your music. Sweet.