With the federal bailout of the auto industry still fresh in our minds, both General Motors and Chrysler are viewed by many as relics of the past. Something of an embarrassment you might say, still clinging to old school values in a new school world.
So maybe I was a bit surprised when I saw a post on Facebook from a friend proudly proclaiming he had finally "purged" the family of all American cars. They now were free from the embarrassment and stigma of owning an American car. The really odd thing in his post was that the last remaining American car was actually a Ford product, a brand that actually had the foresight to correct their problems without the need of federal assistance. It simply didn't make sense.
Now typically I dismiss such a post pretty readily as just another non car guy spouting off. But what caught me off guard was the number of comments supporting his move, and several even listed dates they were “American Free”.
How could this be? Have the American companies screwed themselves over so well with the buying public that owning an American could be akin to your family having lice? Please tell me there is some hope for the Detroit 3 out there. I really have a hard time imagining us as a country where we no longer can lead in a major consumer industry.
Has owning an American car become an embarrassment?
2011 San Diego Auto Show Photo Gallery
2010 Subaru Outback Photo Gallery
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Photo Gallery
Audi A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI Photo Gallery
MINI Paceman Concept Photo Gallery