paS2K

[Definition: I am using foreign or domestic on the basis of the location of the home HQ of the auto marque.....irrespective of where it's manufactured.....OK?]

I am amazed at the small number of domestic cars encountered on my 20 mile back-road commute through a mostly affluent area. It makes me wonder....is this just a suburban Philly thing? Or do most of you see a plethora of Audis, Bimmers, Benzes, Infinitis, Lexii, Porsche, Hondas ....in the 10-20 miles around your home

I'm going to check the 50-75 category, but it might really be into the >75 category

Besides the answer, I would be interested in what you think about: Will this trend ever stop and/or reverse itself? Could GM/Ford etc have prevented this with better design/build quality....or is this an American "status-seeking" issue?

Chris Stack

I think you've got to break it down further. Of the CARS I see, probably 80% are imports; Honda, Toyota, Nissan, MB, BMW, Audi, Lexus, Inifiniti, Acura; even the occasional Bentley or Lamborghini lately .

BUT, of the TRUCKS I see, probably 75% of them are Chevy/Ford/Dodge, and SUVs are pretty much 50/50 import/domestic.

As far as ongoing trends, I don't know. I think a lot of carbuyers, like my parents, have gotten to the point where they are happy with their brand and won't look outside of it. My parents like Honda Accords, and they just keep buying them. Not only do they not care to buy something else, Honda hasn't given them a reason to look elsewhere. I think this is the problem that GM/F face; not that their products are that much worse than Honda/Toyota, but a biiiiig group of people ran away from GM/F in the 80s and 90s, into the welcoming arms of H/T, and H/T haven't pushed them away.

However, for prestige carbuyers (MB, BMW, Lexus, Infinit, Acura, etc), I think the battle is lost. Sure, Cadillac may win a few sales here and there, and their products are getting better, but those buyers aren't looking for the best product, they are looking for the brand. Cadillac (and Lincoln), Escalade inexplicably excepted, ain't it.

mikegarrison

Scoobies are the official vehicle of everyone in Seattle who drives their car to trailheads or wants to look like they do, which pretty much means 90% of the urban population.

SSSnakeSSS

That would all change should you live in Michican.

I agree though, there is a huge % of foreign markees on cars. On trucks as Chris noted it is mostly American with some foreign. Although Toyota is starting to make some huge noise in the truck market.

RC - Ryder

This is the rust belt. There used to be 3 domestic auto plants in the area, and all the old union plant workers aren't dead - yet.

paS2K

Good point, Chris.....I meant to exclude trucks and meant to focus on cars/ suvs.

I agree that the % would probably change if this was a 'truck' poll. I see a lot of tradesmen (esp landscapers in the warm months) and most of 'em are driving Detroit iron

Emil St-Hilaire

Expect the Chinese to start marketing their cars,in 2008...
You have'nt seen nothing yet;they will flood the market...

...I only hope,there is not too much

vtec9

A lot of 'foreign' cars are extensively built in the US. A lot of domestic brands use parts built outside the country. The line is blurring.

paS2K

^^ this is true! That's why I noted this at the OP:

I think the HQ home of the corporation is the important point b/c that's where the $$ go back to....

paS2K

Does this vote at the moment surprise (and concern) anyone?

[QUOTE]
50-75% Geez....so many foreign cars.....what's with that? [ 8 ]