Hypocrisy At It's Finest!

VMax2007 · April 10, 2009

Proposals to 'Buy American' cause fear in Japan

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Tokyo

The Japanese government is willing to turn a blind eye to the U.S. government's efforts to save General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC, but "Buy American" programs being proposed by some in Congress are causing anxiety here.

Officials object to proposals for a government-funded scrappage program that would encourage Americans to replace their old clunkers with new cars and trucks if those incentives are limited to vehicles built in the United States.

"Protectionism is our biggest concern," said Akira Matsunaga, director of the powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's automobile division. "If such regulations pass Congress, we can't survive. We are hoping it will not come to that. If it does, we may have to say something."

He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II.

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, co-sponsored a bill last month with two Democratic colleagues that would give U.S. consumers as much as $7,500 to turn in their older models for new vehicles -- but only if they are manufactured in North America.

"Americans cannot be expected to use their tax dollars to incent purchasing foreign cars," she told The Detroit News. "However, we would welcome them to build a plant in North America so their product would qualify for vouchers under our plan. We don't want a trade war, we just want to stimulate our economy."

Japanese automakers say they have invested plenty in U.S. factories over the past two decades.

"It's alarming for the whole world," said Toshihiro Iwatake, executive director of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc., or JAMA. "Protectionism will halt the free flow of products."

Full Story

Zembonez · April 10, 2009

Who could blame the Japanese for being pissed? We allow them to invest heavily in the US infrastructure (right or wrong) and then we say you can't participate in something that is HUGE in the world of car sales? Pretty pathetic.

What idiot would even propose such a piece of crap legislation? Welfare for cars? The idea is totally moronic regardless of what kind of "conditions" they attach to it.

If the stipulation is that the car has to have been manufactured in the US, that would include a LOT of Japanese vehicles... and EXCLUDE a lot of US vehicles that were made in Mexico or Canada.

WHAT BULLSHIT.

Matt_ · April 10, 2009

Exactly! Thanks for typing that so I don't have to.... Its a pita to type on my BB

Draenor · April 10, 2009

We don't have to let them participate in anything. That is their loss for investing in one country for everything. Maybe it will get is to start manufacturing our own goods again.

As for the stipulation, you are correct. The Japs would still win or we would have to migrate everything back to the US, more jobs. This is less likely to happen given that the big 3 can't manage anything or have the funds to do so.

VR021302 · April 10, 2009

I thought it said North America, not only the US.

But yes it is BS, maybe they can just take that legislation, turn it sideways, and shove it straight up their ever-loving arses.

Zembonez · April 10, 2009

We don't have to let them participate in anything. That is their loss for investing in one country for everything. Maybe it will get is to start manufacturing our own goods again.

As for the stipulation, you are correct. The Japs would still win or we would have to migrate everything back to the US, more jobs.

IF it was that simple... then yes.

It is not anywhere near that simple. The Japanese OWN a lot of what goes on in this country. So do the Chinese. Our manufacturers also own and operate facilities in those countries. GM is one of the largest producers of automobiles in many countries. Hell the national luxury car of China is the Buick! The modern economy is a world economy. We'd have to go back to about 1965 to have the ability to switch off foreign products without completely bankrupting everything that goes on in this country.

ATMINF · April 10, 2009

People in the US do not realize how much the Japanese put a TAX on American cars in Japan. The Japanese car market is not "fair" by any means toward any foreign car make. The Japanese also put a Huge tax on cars that are more than 3 or 4 years old(at the time of re-registering), so most Japanese just trade-in a car and buy a new one at that time. Before people say that Americans are getting overly protective, you should see what other nations are currently doing to our products to make them over priced in their markets.

VMax2007 · April 10, 2009

Jim,

If you would have read the article, ALL vehicles built in NA (including Japanese Mfrs) are eligle for participation. Only imported vehicles are excluded.

VMax2007 · April 10, 2009

hence the title of this thread.

The fact that the Japanese are bitching about "Protectionism" is the epitome of Hypocrisy.

ryan_hermanutz · April 10, 2009

They should be worried. If we start buying more goods that are produced here than from overseas, that could cripple their systems. That isn’t likely to happen for the simple fact that we as Americans like to find the cheapest product available no matter where it is produced. If the U.S. Government wants to give us $7,500 credit or whatever they decide, then good. If the other foreign companies want to capitalize on that, then they can build whatever they want here. I’m sure if something like this goes through there will be a loop hole that says that the companies either needs to have the headquarters based in the U.S. or certain models produced within our borders.

P71_CrownVic · April 10, 2009

Well...let's not ignore the biggest6 piece of irony here. I'll use Ford as an example:

Rather than buy Ford's most profitable products, even at fleet prices (Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, and Town Car), The Government is going to buy vehicles that Ford loses money on at RETAIL prices (Escape and Fusion hybrid).

How is that helping again?

tobias · April 10, 2009

Oh, this is what this thread is about???

I thought we were going to be discussing the following:

alaska511 · April 10, 2009

Really? I thought it was more like this one from Jeff:

"Why do you want AFM gone? I agree the mpg benifits are minimal, but I do not see any negatives to justify removing it? Mine is completely seamless and most people that think otherwise are confusing the transition with throttle lag due to TM. AFM switches in about 50 milliseconds, undetectable to human senses, unless there is a problem with it? If this is the case, GM has a re-program TSB for this I believe."

rvsahs · April 10, 2009

Really? I thought it was more like this one from Jeff:

"Why do you want AFM gone? I agree the mpg benifits are minimal, but I do not see any negatives to justify removing it? Mine is completely seamless and most people that think otherwise are confusing the transition with throttle lag due to TM. AFM switches in about 50 milliseconds, undetectable to human senses, unless there is a problem with it? If this is the case, GM has a re-program TSB for this I believe."

^^^^^

VMax2007 · April 10, 2009

Really? I thought it was more like this one from Jeff:

"Why do you want AFM gone? I agree the mpg benifits are minimal, but I do not see any negatives to justify removing it? Mine is completely seamless and most people that think otherwise are confusing the transition with throttle lag due to TM. AFM switches in about 50 milliseconds, undetectable to human senses, unless there is a problem with it? If this is the case, GM has a re-program TSB for this I believe."

If you had read my explanation (which I know you did), you would understand (which I know you do).