Stimulus Bill Includes Tax Breaks For New Vehicles

Lol! Thats true but I would love a tax break and I plan on buying a 2010 model year car in decemdeber just in time for the winter sales event and it will not be an american car.....

Agreed but this would only benefit Japan and Europe so I doubt the govt will allow this. I just cant see how they will let a Suburban get a tax break. Also the best break is when a car is around 2 years old when all of the mark ups, attention towards the vehicle, and the fees are gone and then some.

Wow you would be the first person to defend an oil company I have seen yet.

iLEXUS...When referring to American, please don't say american. You've already made enough enemies with your name, your picture and your favoritism.

I'm struggling a bit with this "Buy American" issue right now. I'm in the market to buy new. I shouldn't consider a Honda, even though I live next to the engine plant in Anna, OH and the assembly plant in Marysville that builds Civics and Accords and TLs and RDXs? More people around here are employed by Honda, I'd guess, than Chrysler or Ford. I don't know. I want to do what's best for this country.

You do gave a valid point . When you do buy an American owned nameplate you are helping the companies that make the components that go into the making of an automobile . Sylvania , Safelite glass, Federal Mogul, Raybestos US steel , Goodyear and also companies that make the weatherstripping, upolstery wiring harnesess . These people are hoping to keep employed so they can make their mortgage and keep from forclosure . Something that this country does not need more of . I understand living near where Hondas are produced can pull you towards thier product line to feel a civic duty . There many more people in this country hoping that the US automakers survive so they will have jobs tomorrow plus keeping the profits in America Toyota even said in one of thier TV ads " assmebled in the USA " meaning many of the forementioned companies and suppliers would not be needed since they have their own suppliers from their own country

Just buy a Honda. The American auto industry has let every American down.

You do realize that if Johnson/Johnson, Coca Cola, McDonalds etc. had the continual profit margin of Exxon Mobil, they would be bankrupt.

Exxon has a profit margin of 9% vs 20+% of other run of the mill companies, the fact that they sell ALOT of gas, or refine ALOT of oil shouldn't make them evil.

Yes, it appears exorbitant and unfair but if you dig a bit deeper, you will see that they are making a fair profit, IMO. If they had a profit margin of say 50%+ continually YOY, then I would say -besides buy the stock NOW- that they were taking advantage of the circumstances and should be stopped.

Here's the thing... I agree with you that as a company they have a right to try to make a profit. The problem with the oil industry though is that almost every other industry in the country is dependent on their product in one way or another. Higher oil (and natural gas) prices effect the cost of almost everything we do. Frankly, society cannot currently afford to give oil companies large profit margins. It would literally kill the lower class due to poverty.

So then what is fair?? Or maybe the government should tell private companies how much profit they should make? 2% maybe? Then how much can the company afford in terms of employee raises etc.? See the negative cycle that causes?

I have no problem paying someone 9% profit on goods bought. You name 1 business in America, or the world for that matter, that would survive on say, 2% profit, YOY. That would limit RD, expansion, reinvestment,hiring,employee salary and benefits etc.

Sorry but I think Exxon's 9% profit on revenue is fair.

P.S., how much do you think the markup was for the shirt you are wearing? Or the pizza pie you bought last saturday?
Or the internet service you are using? etc. Stop being obsessed with the nominal figure, its futile.

Shouldn't matter what country the car came from. The intent is to get people in the showrooms and spend money. If I buy a BMW from Germany, there are plenty of Americans who will benefit from the purchase. BMW corporate will see their sales improving and may decide to add more staff as a result. Those people that work for BMW in the States will go out and spend because they see healthier traffic in the showrooms. This in turn will help local economies and so on. I do think that the spending bill is weighted in PORK fat and didn't need to be as large. Any economics major would tell you of the multiplier effect and how an incremental dollar can grow to make a substantial impact in the economy.