How do I argue against an anti-foreign car person ?

It's more or less a global economy now a days. Lift the hood on a Chevy Cruise and you'll find an Austrian engine. Most of the Chrysler is Fiat. The list goes on and on. Ford is the # 1 selling car in Europe. Also, remember that there are dozens of foreign car made here in the US. Jobs are jobs. And guess what? Buick is selling cars in China by the bushels. Tell the old man to wake up and smell the Roses.

 

I kept my purchase last year as low key as I could. Everyone around here has friends and relatives who have worked for the OEM's and Ford has, arguably, the most loyal employee base of the three. I know for a fact that I have friends who were unhappy about my vehicle choice. My next door neighbor is a retired GM executive. We're good friends and I help him with his cars from time to time. He hasn't asked to look the Prius over but some day he probably will.
It's good that it's out in the open now with your stepdad. There's little more you can do. Just be honest and open when he chooses to discuss it. Otherwise plan on parking on the street for now.

 

Ironically enough, I got a healthy Ford supplier's discount 12 years ago on the purchase of a Hiroshima-built Mazda Protégé for my daughter to drive. My daughter's classmates were a little uncomfortable with the Mazda until they learned of the Ford discount. That seemed to make it ok.
My most immediate previous employer had Honda and Toyota as its biggest automotive customers but Toyota offered us no employee discount.

 

Show me a domestic car that costs about $22k, has Toyota reliability, and gets 50 (combined) MPG. It will be at the top of my shopping list every time.

I would also remind the old guy that Americans started buying Japanese cars because American were gas guzzling pieces of crap; and if his attitude had prevailed, even the degree of improvement now present would not have happened.

 

Lets see
Ford makes most of their cars they sell here in mexico, Toyota makes most of their cars they sell here in the us.

Ford pays 3-5$ an hour in mexico to make their cars. Toyota pays 14-20$ an hour to americans and others and gives them healths ins ect. ect.

Fords rank almost always at the bottom for being reliable, and Toyota is at the top.

 

Ford Fusion hybrid built in Hermosillo, Mexico,
Toyota Camry hybrid built in Georgetown, Kentucky, USA,

Report: The two 'most American' cars are Japanese

 

Where do you live, in Dearborn? That is definitely Ford country.

 

Tell him someone traded the 2010 Prius in on a new Ford

 

No, Oakland County but understand that the vehicle mix in this area is still *very* different from the rest of the country for the reasons cited above.
Dearborn? Yeah, once you get south of I-96 on the Southfield Fwy you are surrounded by Ford products. The most popular license plate frame: I Work For Ford. I Drive a Ford.

 

I wonder how 'buy American' these auto workers are with consumer items other than cars.

 

you gotta respect him for trying to support his fellow citizens when he can.

 

Less and less choice every year. Even large appliances seem to be moving off-shore.

 

I feel his frustration. It's difficult to find anything that is made in the US anymore. Even our food is suspect. He is not alone.

 

I'm from oakland county myself. I lived there for 28 years. Know what your talking about.

I see someone talked about the ford licence plates. We should make one for the Ford workers in Mexico "I build Fords but will never be able to afford one"

 

Precisely. Global economy, any country in the world that don't do well other gets drag down with it. We all holds each other's borrowed money, it's all big scam. So really it doesn't matter.

Also like others have said, now days cars are all one big melting pot put together using part from everywhere. You wouldn't believe the funny things I see when I them apart. For example, in the Ferrari all the tail lights are made by Hela (German), A/C compressor and alternator (Nipondenso), the convertible top assemble (Mercedes German), Radio, alarm, ECU (Bosch German), Windshield, glass from Saint Go bain (spelling... France), blah, blah, blah... But for the most parts that fails in that car are all made in Italy.

In the Porsches, you will mostly find power steering rack made by Luke (I think England), spark plug, and wires made in France by Buru. Shocks made by Monroe, yes Monroe!!! LOL! they were used for couple years but after so much failures Porsche went back to Bilsteins. Brakes by Brembo from Italy, AC compressor from Japan.

FWIW, My BMW X5M is assembled in South Carolina with engine/transmission made in Germany shipped here to be assembled. Honestly, it is one of the poorest constructed BMW I've ever owned in my life. Very sad.

When I bought the Prius the salesman told me that the Prius is 100% made in Japan, which made me excited. Very cool, I felt very exclusive! Something I actually take pride with to know.