Imported from Detroit

[MrSplitshot]

"Imported from Detroit" ? When did they leave the continental US? Are they declaring the product an import hoping the city will get "foreign aide". ?

The commercial said to me "We have had a rough time because we have been to dumb to diversify like other cities, so out of pity, buy my car".

They didn't tell me anything about the car, performance, prices, safety, and they bearly even showed a picture of the product they hoped I'd identify with.

JMO, but they were selling a second chance for Detroit, not a car. And declaring it to be an import, tells me you now need a passport to get into Detroit. Not a bad idea, because having been there, I think atleats 1/2 the population ought need a passport to be let out.

Okay, fair enough...some good points there...

The ad was deep. A traditional ad talking about a new car model, features, safety, prices, etc would be absolutely lost during the SuperBowl though, in my opinion.

I took the whole "imported from Detroit" thing a different way. I thought the commercial was trying to restore a little bit of pride in American made vehicles and the people that have felt the brunt of the fallout from all of the automotive industry mess....like the people of Detroit. Detroit stands for American made vehicles like Nashville stands for Country Music, or Pittsburg stands for steel. While the government bailing out companies from their bad decisions is not good for competitive spirit or the taxpayer, is that really the blue collar auto worker's fault? That is the guy that has went through Hell, lost his job as things went sour, ala Detroit....and I saw the "Imported from Detroit" thing as a way of saying "We know buying imported cars has been the trendy thing to do and Detroit isn't seen as a positive anymore, but we can make a comeback and build good cars again in America if you'll give us another chance."

I've read a lot of political debate about the commercial today....kinda why I thought it would be a good topic....

[Olgrey]

Did you see where one of the big shots from Chrysler was being interviewed and made some comments about the interest rates being charged on the bailout loans. He referred to the interest rates charged on the bailout loans as shyster rates inferring the company was being cheated. Apparently he thought the Government/taxpayer bailout Chrysler received was totally unfair. He later said he mis-spoke and that the company was happy to have received the loans. Just think had they not received those loans Chrysler and his job would no longer exist. Talk about ungrateful. I suspect that the shyster comments he made is in line with the way they actually think and feel.

[DJD]

I watched the commercial and thought it was pretty good marketing. If they can continue the hip trendy commercials and put out cars that are in line with that then more power to them. Nissan seems to have has done that and they seem to be rolling along.
I understand the HUGE mess the unions, Chrysler and others are in and frankly they deserve it. The mismanagement, arrogance and overall incompetance caused the majority of their problem.
The average worker is just guilty by association and I'm sorry bout your luck but no one said life was easy.
If I was buying today I would have to choose from Ford and Toyota. Mopar just ain't on my radar for trucks.

[mhall]

I like the angle myself. It's time for America to step up and buy American, I'm doing my best to keep my wife out of Walmart.

There seems to be a feel good movement by lots of folks heading in this direction and it's where we need to go.

BUY AMERICAN PEOPLE WHENEVER YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[RoadToad]

Take it a step further if you can, and buy local. Better for the environment, and supports the local economy. I hate those pizza commercials advertising "vine ripened tomatoes grown in California." Sorry, Mr. Schnatter, but guess what, we grow tomatoes that are just as good right here, in your HOME STATE!!

[HURRICANEBOB]

Did you see where one of the big shots from Chrysler was being interviewed and made some comments about the interest rates being charged on the bailout loans. He referred to the interest rates charged on the bailout loans as shyster rates inferring the company was being cheated. Apparently he thought the Government/taxpayer bailout Chrysler received was totally unfair. He later said he mis-spoke and that the company was happy to have received the loans. Just think had they not received those loans Chrysler and his job would no longer exist. Talk about ungrateful. I suspect that the shyster comments he made is in line with the way they actually think and feel.

OMG! If they don't want a loan from Uncle Sam, Chrysler, buy all means try Visa, or Mastercard, or any commerical bank for that matter. Never fails, the toads with bad credit are always the first to tell you the interest rate is what made them broke. NOT, they got the cart blamed for where the horse pulled them.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Hey Splitshot,

Not disagreeing with you, offerrring the counterpoint.

Just tired up to my eyeballs with hype instead of quality product. Have no time anymore for sensationalism when its substance that will make American manufacturers strong again.

Personally, I go where the best bang for the buck is, and where the quality is best. Many US makers build darn good stuff, no doubt. But some still want to sell the image, and let you fight the warranty when the reality of the product quality and durability settle in.

Ain't no shortcuts. Make it good, stand behind it, and it will sell. Tell me its American, try to fill me with sympathy, and all I can say is "prove it, show me you are better and you will earn my business". Ain't nobody sending me checks in the mail just cause I'm American. If you are an American business and want me to buy, then show me the true American value, quality, reliability in the product, and stand behind it without a quibble. Then, I'll be proud to be an American that buys an American product I can be proud of.

Last shot, prove to me the engine block in that Chrysler 200 M isn't Mitsubishi, and made in Japan. By contrast, anybody doubt where the block in the Hemi Dodge's comes from? US IRON!
I drive a Ford E-150 van, with over 100k miles, same motor, trans, differential in it as when I bought it. Only think I have ever done save oil and filters, is an alternator at 90K. So yep, I'll buy American, just show me why that's a good choice and I'm all ears.

[Olgrey]

The reason they got the loan from the government/taxpayer was that they could no longer find a bank that would let them have more money. If they want to get upset about being cheated, get upset at the guy at the top who was paid millions in salary and bonuses yet led the company into the hole the taxpayers had to bail them out of. Perhaps that guy will feel so guilty that he will refund some of that salary and bonuses back to Chrysler so they can payback the loan from the taxpayer. JMO

[GeoFisher]

The reason they got the loan from the government/taxpayer was that they could no longer find a bank that would let them have more money. If they want to get upset about being cheated, get upset at the guy at the top who was paid millions in salary and bonuses yet led the company into the hole the taxpayers had to bail them out of. Perhaps that guy will feel so guilty that he will refund some of that salary and bonuses back to Chrysler so they can payback the loan from the taxpayer. JMO

The guy at the top is pennies on the dollar compared to what the UNIONS raped the company for.........GM went broke not over the guys at the top, but rather over the crazy salaries, crazy benefits, and crazy UNFUNDED pensions. NOTHING ELSE.

Later,

Geo

[HURRICANEBOB]

The guy at the top is pennies on the dollar compared to what the UNIONS raped the company for.........GM went broke not over the guys at the top, but rather over the crazy salaries, crazy benefits, and crazy UNFUNDED pensions. NOTHING ELSE.

Later,

Geo

Which really confused me, case the unions got the employees all that money, and the city still went broke. Thought the higher pay would me more taxes collected. Good points Geo, sometimes a short-term benfit translates into a long term dry spell.

[Tom523]

The guy at the top is pennies on the dollar compared to what the UNIONS raped the company for.........GM went broke not over the guys at the top, but rather over the crazy salaries, crazy benefits, and crazy UNFUNDED pensions. NOTHING ELSE.

Later,

Geo

Ditto!