What makes a car American?Story Highlights

[emilyg]

(CNN) -- With the top U.S. automakers in economic survival mode, the mantra, "Buy American," is a frequent cry among those trying to save jobs at home.


Georgia trucker Douglas Sullivan says he's concerned more about quality than the origin of a vehicle's parts.

1 of 2 But buying a car to benefit the U.S. economy has become an ambiguous, complicated challenge.

"How you define an American car is one of the great conundrums of this world," said Dutch Mandel, the editor and associate publisher of AutoWeek.

Fewer than half of the parts on some Big Three vehicles are made in the U.S.

Looking at a Ford Fusion? It is assembled in Mexico. The Chrysler 300C is assembled in Canada, but its transmission is from Indiana; the brand's V-8 engine is made in Mexico. Engines in the Chevrolet Equinox
http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/12/12/american.cars/index.html

[flvegan]

1. This might get interesting.

:popcorn:

[emilyg]

3. Pass the popcorn.

[hobbit709]

2. Now don't confuse some of the "Buy American" people with facts.

LOL

[emilyg]

4. They'll make up their own facts.

[Mugweed]

5. "Support the Troops" ribbon magnets?

I'm pretty sure that Saturn I bought isn't exactly 100% American, but it was an attempt.