Content Or Assembly Plant? What Constitutes An American Made Vehicle These Days?

Some of the most popular and profitable vehicles sold in the United States by Detroit's automakers are imported from Mexico, a reality that highlights the risks for the auto industry as the Trump administration pushes to overhaul trade policy.

President Donald Trump has scheduled a breakfast on Tuesday with the chief executives of Detroit automakers General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV to talk about bringing more manufacturing jobs to the United States, the White House said on Monday.

Trump campaigned on a pledge to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement and said on Monday he would meet leaders of NAFTA partners Mexico and Canada at an "appropriate time" to get the process started.

Read Article

atc98092 - 1/24/2017 3:53:43 PM

0 Boost

My personal observation, for what it's worth. An "American" car manufacturer has their global headquarters within the USA. Corporate profits and taxes are held and paid here. This currently includes Ford and General Motors. I'm not certain where FCA falls in there any longer, but certainly Chrysler from the past would count. It would also include Tesla, and a number of smaller "boutique" manufacturers.

It would not include Honda, Toyota, Nissan, VW, MB, or BMW, regardless of the number of plants within the US or the US content of their products.

Yes, I'm old school, and it's likely due to my age and the era I grew up in. As I said, that's just my opinion. How others define it is completely up to them. Nothing to get in an argument about. There is no legal definition, and no need for one.

MDarringer - 1/25/2017 8:43:20 AM

+1 Boost

I say parts content.

MorePower - 1/25/2017 7:30:17 PM

+1 Boost

Before Regan:

Made in America = Assembled in America w/ part content over 70%

After Regan & H.W.:

Made in America = Designed by a corporate entity headquartered in America for tax breaks

MDarringer - 1/25/2017 7:35:46 PM

+1 Boost

BUT those manufacturers who located created jobs pure and simple.