4 ms·
Many commentators talk about what the "American car" means, that there is no such thing any more, cars are internationally designed and produced, etc. All corre
by cema 15y ago
Many commentators talk about what the "American car" means, that there is no such thing any more, cars are internationally designed and produced, etc. All correct, I suppose. But notice that the linked article is using the combination of words "American car" as a shortcut for the "American branded car", which they also mention several times.
And indeed I think a commentator has remarked that the focus is on the consumer behavior, not the car industry per se. If the distinction is ignored by the main body of the customers, it can be not too important for the researchers as well.
- kstrauser 15y agoI admit that I know what they mean by "American car", but I dispute that their definition is actually meaningful. I lived in a very small Midwest city when we bought our Sienna. Neighbors driving a Mexico-made Chevy Suburban asked why we didn't buy an American car. What makes GM - a publicly traded corporation - substantially more American than Toyota - another publicly traded corporation? Both have American and non-American factories. Both have American and non-American employees. Both sell to American and non-American dealers. Other than marketing image, what's the fundamental difference?
- cema 15y agowhat's the fundamental difference? Perception. And it should not be neglected. (Especially by the researchers who study it!)