Ford takes a knee as does Apple-Moving jobs back

[Coronita]

[quote=scaredyclassic]running shoes cause injuries. its just a perfect example of how all this economic activity actually makes us and the world worse. ugh. padded running shoes. the worst. plus the mfr claims they “wear out” in 6 mos or so. huge piles of garbage when made, when used and 180 days later.[/quote]

Well maybe. But then again , my point is the most vocal about manufacturing job losses aren’t really helping and putting their money where their mouth is. They could, but they don’t. Probably because they think it’s too much to spend $200 on a pair of american sneakers or $30k-40k for an American made car. Go figure.

[carlsbadworker]

[quote=bearishgurl]As it should be. Apple’s profit is way too high on iphones as it stands. Let them employ the country who is BUYING most of their phones and made it possible for them to start their company and flourish!
[/quote]

So BG, you are arguing that Apple should stay in China?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/electronics/11567022/Apple-sells-more-iPhones-in-China-than-US-for-first-time.html

I am confused.

[spdrun]

I used to buy New Balance — they fit my wide feet well. I think I paid closer to $70 or $80 than $200 for “made in USA” shoes. Discount chains (Kohls, Marshalls) frequently had them marked down quite a lot.

Not sure if I’ll buy another pair now that neo-nazi boneheads have adopted the brand. 🙁 This is separate from the company supporting Trump:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/11/15/the-crazy-reason-neo-nazis-have-declared-new-balance-the-official-shoes-of-white-people/

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=spdrun]I used to buy New Balance — they fit my wide feet wide. I think I paid closer to $70 or $80 than $200 for “made in USA” shoes. Discount chains (Kohls, Marshalls) frequently had them marked down quite a lot.

Not sure if I’ll buy another pair now that neo-nazi boneheads have adopted the brand. :([/quote]

I like Adidas. It’s European cool. Who cares where it’s made?

As Adam Smith would say, why try to make Porto in England when they make it better and cheaper in Portugal. Trade enrich us all.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=flu] my point is the most vocal about manufacturing job losses aren’t really helping and putting their money where their mouth is. They could, but they don’t. Probably because they think it’s too much to spend $200 on a pair of american sneakers or $30k-40k for an American made car. Go figure.[/quote]

I think Ohio has the biggest Walmarts. Much bigger than in CA for sure.

[spdrun]

Not a fan of Adidas as far as them actually fitting my feet.

[scaredyclassic]

i buy one very weird imported product. japan makes obsessively detailed reproductions of vintage american clothes. i buy that. i think theyre awesome. stuff is way too expensive.

theres also a placed called MISTER FREEDOM which is so awesome. started by a french dude, he imports japanese reproductions of vintage clothing. but some is made in USA. he currently has a shirt made with authentic vintage madras cloth made in usa for $230. i need that. if youre in west hollywood, the store is absolutely gorgeous… you dont have to be gay to love this place…

http://www.misterfreedom.com

the prices are humorous, but i think its worth it.

the trumpean argument to bring back obsessive vintage american sportswear reproduction jobs to the USA is actually pretty compelling.

also campari. where are the american made bitter liqueurs? where?

[bearishgurl]

[quote=flu][quote=scaredyclassic]running shoes cause injuries. its just a perfect example of how all this economic activity actually makes us and the world worse. ugh. padded running shoes. the worst. plus the mfr claims they “wear out” in 6 mos or so. huge piles of garbage when made, when used and 180 days later.[/quote]

Well maybe. But then again , my point is the most vocal about manufacturing job losses aren’t really helping and putting their money where their mouth is. They could, but they don’t. Probably because they think it’s too much to spend $200 on a pair of american sneakers or $30k-40k for an American made car. Go figure.[/quote]flu, don’t you drive foreign cars?

I’ve driven Toyota products since the ’70’s. I’ve owned 10 of them in all. Only TWO were brand new when I bought them, one a “loaded” Corolla for $5K and the other one a “loaded” Hi-Lux 4WD pickup for $15K. You can “do the math” and figure out which years those vehicles were :=0 ALL of my other Toy/Lexus vehicles were purchased USED from private parties! I didn’t end up contributing to Japan’s profits because the depreciation on the vehicles I purchased were borne by their previous owners. I have a personal preference for Toyota products and I know where all the controls are in them. At this late date, I don’t want to spend hours/days/months to “relearn” a vehicle that I purchase. If I purchase a newer vehicle again, it will very likely be another Toyota product and will most certainly have AWD/4WD capabilities. And yes, spdrun, I’m open to buying another vehicle with a standard transmission :=] I’ve been watching youtube off and on in the past year and I like the paddle shifters a lot of AWD vehicles have, as well. An 8-speed transmission sounds awesome to have in the mountains!

I’m not happy that all the late model vehicles today have maps and other crap that I don’t need or want to pay for but that’s life. WTF? A “backup camera” and “lane-assist beep??” After driving all of my life without these things, please … someone here tell me why I need them now :=0

[bearishgurl]

btw, the following Toyota products are made in the USA:

Toy Tacoma (formerly “Hi-Lux”)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tacoma

Toy Tundra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tundra

Toy Camry (mostly made in USA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry

[spdrun]

Don’t some of the Toyota/Lexus vehicles sold in the US actually have more North American parts content than “US brand” cars?

[bearishgurl]

[quote=spdrun]Don’t some of the Toyota/Lexus vehicles sold in the US actually have more North American parts content than “US firm” cars?[/quote]Yes. I just posted a few examples. The first two are completely assembled in the USA (Texas and Kentucky, respectively). There may be more Toyota models assembled in the US that I am not aware of.

[spdrun]

I was also talking about parts content, not just assembly location.

[bearishgurl]

spd, why don’t you advise me on a good AWD/4WD vehicle that isn’t a gas guzzler (pm me if you have a good suggestion). No 4-bangers, please. It doesn’t have to be the latest model year but needs to handle very well on curvy mountain roads, have adequate ground clearance for gravel roads and beginner-intermediate trails 😛 and handle great in the snow and ice. I’m willing to store an extra set of snow tires for it as the (skinny) tires with scanty rubber used on late-model vehicles are worthless in those conditions.

I’m not in the market right away (or even in 2017) but I looked into Subarus (popular in hilly SF) cuz I have relatives who swear by them who would help me select a new or used one to buy. I just watched a youtube video of the new 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Touring (crossover) and it seems like it actually has more “real” leather in it than a Lexus RX ($20K + more). Love the brown/purple color in the video!

I’m concerned about the CVT transmission in Subarus, however. Not sure if I will have to replace it much earlier than with a Toyota (never had to have any transmission work done on a Toy except for clutch linkage). I also would prefer as quiet a cabin as I can get for the $$ for road traveling.

I’ve replaced a front CV boot set (on both sides) five times in the past five years on my older sedan due to driving it on gravel roads in the mountains …. arrrgh. As you all know, it’s not a cheap job and has to be done pronto after it is torn before the gravel gets into the axle and destroys it. I’ve also replaced its oil pan twice :=0 My 22-year old car needs to live out the balance of its life with my youngest kid who will keep it in the city :=]

[bearishgurl]

[quote=spdrun]I was also talking about parts content, not just assembly location.[/quote]Not sure about that. Those US factories could still be using mostly Japanese parts.

My mechanic purchases some after-market parts for my old car (when possible) but nevertheless, they are still made in Japan. I can buy all the sensors for it (which throw OBD II codes if they aren’t working) from Amazon. But they are still made in Japan.

[Coronita]

[quote=bearishgurl]btw, the following Toyota products are made in the USA:

Toy Tacoma (formerly “Hi-Lux”)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tacoma

Toy Tundra

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Tundra

Toy Camry (mostly made in USA)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Camry%5B/quote%5D

Yes, but your Lexus, and just about every Lexus is 90%+ made in japan with japanese parts. Because Toyota has always made their premium Lexus brand vehicles in Japan because that’s their way of wanting to guaranteeing quality. That’s how Lexus started, and they’ve never deviated from that. Even in modern times. Again, facts and real data.

http://kogodbusiness.com/reports/auto-index/

Your Lexus LS definitely has almost no US parts content OEM and definitely was 0% made in USA.

A Lexus is as “un-American” a car as it can possibly get, if you really care about it.

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