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It really surprises me that the rationale behind the switching from a Prius to a Tesla doesn't involve something along of the lines of "Tesla is an American com

It really surprises me that the rationale behind the switching from a Prius to a Tesla doesn't involve something along of the lines of "Tesla is an American company". I mean, I'm a foreigner and all, so there's nothing nationalist about that comment, but I would expect some form of economic pride and patriotism on the par of American buyers in these times of economic downturn. Also, were I American, I'd be really proud of what Tesla pulled off with the Model S. It's American muscle car meet new economy meet green energy meet entrepreneurship. Seeing France struggle with their attempts at electric cars, I really envy America on this one.

ceejayoz 13y ago
IIRC, the vast majority of a Prius (and most other cars - I believe I've heard the same about at least some BMW models) is made by Americans in an American factory.
- wmeredith 13y ago
  Prius are not made in the US, they are all imported. This may change in the future, as hinted at by Toyota. Source: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/toyota-prius-to-be-manufactured-in-the-united-states/ http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/toyota-prius-to-be-...
- barake 13y ago
  Last I checked all of the Prius models are still built in Japan. Toyota has been talking about a US factory on and off for a few years, but I don't think anyone substantial has come of it yet.
- bri3d 13y ago
  The Prius isn't assembled in America like many other models - it's still made in Japan [0]. I'm sure there are at least a few American components but it's actually one of the least American Toyota models. Other Toyota models like the Sienna, Tundra, and Camry are indeed made in the USA. As for BMW, X3s, X5s, and X6es (even for their own domestic market) are made in South Carolina, but their sedans and coupes are made in a variety of other sites (Germany, South Africa, Mexico, others). So you're right that many foreign cars are more American than they'd seem, but in the case of the Prius, not so. 0: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130610/OEM01/306109991/made-in-america-prius-fades-into-the-future http://www.autonews.com/article/20130610/OEM01/306109991/mad...
jerf 13y ago
The people running around making big noises about Buying American are generally the American manufacturing base. It's an ad campaign more than a statement of strong nationalism. In practice, nobody blinks if you buy a Toyota, even here in the Detroit area, unless you actually work for an auto company, in which case you're probably buying from whatever company you work for. (Which may be Toyota: http://www.toyota.com/about/our_business/research_and_development/ http://www.toyota.com/about/our_business/research_and_develo...)
tibbon 13y ago
I think the concept of being proud of where its made doesn't really matter for most people as much as the media might portray. I've had tiny Japanese cars from the 80's and 90's (which were a mixed bag), an American made pickup truck from the late 90's (which was fantastic), an American made car from the early 2000's (which was a piece of shit), a handful of Japanese motorcycles from the mid-late 70's (fun for what they were), a some Italian made scooters (utter crap for their build quality), and now a BMW motorcycle (engine made in China) and I'm about to buy another BMW motorcycle that is 100% made in Germany. There doesn't seem to be any consistency about where its made and the quality. I really just want the best made thing on the road that can handle anything regardless of who designed it. Americans aren't making exciting motorcycles for me these days (Harley... zzzz....), and nothing touches the R1200GSw, so a German vehicle it will be.

ceejayoz 13y ago

IIRC, the vast majority of a Prius (and most other cars - I believe I've heard the same about at least some BMW models) is made by Americans in an American factory.

wmeredith 13y ago
Prius are not made in the US, they are all imported. This may change in the future, as hinted at by Toyota. Source: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/toyota-prius-to-be-manufactured-in-the-united-states/ http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/toyota-prius-to-be-...
barake 13y ago
Last I checked all of the Prius models are still built in Japan. Toyota has been talking about a US factory on and off for a few years, but I don't think anyone substantial has come of it yet.
bri3d 13y ago
The Prius isn't assembled in America like many other models - it's still made in Japan [0]. I'm sure there are at least a few American components but it's actually one of the least American Toyota models. Other Toyota models like the Sienna, Tundra, and Camry are indeed made in the USA. As for BMW, X3s, X5s, and X6es (even for their own domestic market) are made in South Carolina, but their sedans and coupes are made in a variety of other sites (Germany, South Africa, Mexico, others). So you're right that many foreign cars are more American than they'd seem, but in the case of the Prius, not so. 0: http://www.autonews.com/article/20130610/OEM01/306109991/made-in-america-prius-fades-into-the-future http://www.autonews.com/article/20130610/OEM01/306109991/mad...

jerf 13y ago

The people running around making big noises about Buying American are generally the American manufacturing base. It's an ad campaign more than a statement of strong nationalism. In practice, nobody blinks if you buy a Toyota, even here in the Detroit area, unless you actually work for an auto company, in which case you're probably buying from whatever company you work for. (Which may be Toyota: http://www.toyota.com/about/our_business/research_and_development/ http://www.toyota.com/about/our_business/research_and_develo...)

tibbon 13y ago

I think the concept of being proud of where its made doesn't really matter for most people as much as the media might portray. I've had tiny Japanese cars from the 80's and 90's (which were a mixed bag), an American made pickup truck from the late 90's (which was fantastic), an American made car from the early 2000's (which was a piece of shit), a handful of Japanese motorcycles from the mid-late 70's (fun for what they were), a some Italian made scooters (utter crap for their build quality), and now a BMW motorcycle (engine made in China) and I'm about to buy another BMW motorcycle that is 100% made in Germany. There doesn't seem to be any consistency about where its made and the quality. I really just want the best made thing on the road that can handle anything regardless of who designed it. Americans aren't making exciting motorcycles for me these days (Harley... zzzz....), and nothing touches the R1200GSw, so a German vehicle it will be.