Sorry Devallion, you're just mistaken.
Most of the import brand cars assembled here use imported parts. Furthermore, Japan and South Korea use a number of illegal methods to deny US manufacturers access to their domestic markets. I'm confident that Toyota and Honda could compete effectively with US manufacturers on a level playing field. That does not mean, however, that the playing field is level.
I'm an ardent free trader and I have owned and do own imported cars. For me this is not an "us versus them" deal. I am not blind, however.
Ten years ago our government and the South Korean government signed a free trade deal for autos. In the year before the deal was signed we sold, roughly, 4500 cars in South Korea. Last year roughly 4500 US built autos found a buyer in South Korea. Wiggle it any way you want, there are more than 4500 Korean buyers for the best of our cars.
When Honda came to the US, it attached itself remora-like to Olds franchises from sea to shining sea. When GM went to Japan, the Japanese manufacturers closed their franchise locations to US manufacturers. The difference? In this country the manufacturers are forbidden from maintaining the kind of dealer franchise control that Japan allows its manufacturers.
We allow sample testing for emissions compliance to importers. The Asians have, typically, imposed a requirement for testing every unit on importers raising the costs substantially.
We use an income tax on profits for revenue. Other countries, for the most part, use a Value Added Tax. When other countries export to our country, the home country does not apply the VAT and the goods are shipped here tax free. In an attempt to equalize competition; the US allowed some manufacturers (not autos) to exempt foreign sales from earnings. The WTO howled that we were "subsidizing" exports and we backed off.
Japanese companies engage in a form of business cooperation they call keiretsu. That same type of cooperation in the US is often styled "conspiracy in restraint of trade" and is illegal. Only recently has our government wised up enough to allow manufacturers to conduct joint research on emissions, fuel economy and safety items.
Foreign auto plants in the US are built in states that give them property tax forgiveness and other financial incentives which further lower their costs.
Our beloved President (I voted for him twice) thinks Detroit's problem goes away if they "just build relevant cars." Detroit deserves a great deal of criticism - which they get. The other players who added to their current struggle get away scot free.
All that said, I'd like to see Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans in Pro/Stock, too. Of course, Honda would first have to build a V8 - any V8.
I'd also like to have one of those nifty Celica bodies for our Funny Car.
Cheers,
Ed
By the bye, at current count my family rolling stock consists of three Chevrolets, a Toyota, a Honda, and a Cadillac. That's fair, isn't it?
