Made in America? Don't be so sure....

by **EKinMN** on Apr 29 2011, 3:12am

I was reading an article in Car and Driver magazine about the location of assembly and domestic parts content of various vehicles. How sad is this (2010 data):

SILVERADO: 61% US/Canada part content. 214,842 assembled in US (Ft Wayne) and 162,141 in Mexico
SIERRA: 61% US/Canada part content. 89,837 assembled in US (Ft Wayne) and 80,594 in Mexico

Contrast that to:

TOYOTA TUNDRA: 80% US/Canada part content. 107,959 assembled in US (San Antonio)

Really? Toyota is more American than my Sierra. **SIGH** :oops:

Here is the link to the whole article: http://www.caranddriver.com/features/11 ... a_-feature

by **themutt101** on Apr 29 2011, 3:24am

wow that's kinda a downer

I knew gm had plants in Canada but Mexico... those plates should be in the us we need the jobs anyways

Hartski · by **Hartski** on Apr 29 2011, 11:18am

Blame the UAW for companies outsourcing to Mexico and other countries. The auto makers fork out obscene amounts for union wages/benefits/pensions

by **EKinMN** on Apr 29 2011, 12:40pm

I double checked....my new truck was in fact, built in Mexico. Bummer, too, since my sister-in-law lives in Ft. Wayne. Sadder still, is if Toyota or Honda ever need a bail out, we will have no choice but to fork over our money to the, too. After all, by this measure they are "more American" than GM.

by **BIG E** on Apr 29 2011, 1:48pm

I checked before I purchased my 2011 and all the trucks on the lot were from Mexico. I never saw one from Ft. Wayne or I would have purchased that one for sure.

The wife's CTS was built in Michigan, so at least I had a 50/50 split that day.

by **lzn197** on Apr 29 2011, 2:16pm

I smell a rat on this article. Here is my thinking. I am told that an engine or Transmission is considered to be a HUGE factor on this % content. Does Toyota build their engines here with parts shipped over? Interesting article but I smell a rat. But IF the article is true..............man.....I don't know what to say.

by **Levman74** on Apr 29 2011, 2:49pm

Well, Mexico and Canada are on the American continent....so technically it's "Made in America".

by **EKinMN** on Apr 29 2011, 6:28pm

I think it's called the North American Continent.....I guess that will have to be good enough. My new GMC Sierra was built in North America, by quality North American workers. How's that sound?

starspangled6.0 · by **starspangled6.0** on Apr 29 2011, 7:27pm

I read that article, too. That was a downer- oh well, business is business.

Perhaps GM\Ford\Dodge wouldn't be around if they weren't allowed to outsource certain jobs, simply because of the high cost of labor here in the USA. Hopefully now that the auto industry has gotten it's butt kicked, they'll wake up and make more "Made in the USA" products, since that's what Americans are clamoring for.

Z15 · by **Z15** on Apr 29 2011, 10:39pm

fyi the first character in the VIN is the country of origin
1,4,5 - US Built
2 - Canada Built
3 - Mexico Built

My 2010 truck was built in Ft Wayne, IN
My 1999 CTS4 was built in Lansing, MI

1500 Denali's pu's are all built in Mexico