subject: Local car dealerships happy to get new Hyundai Elantra from Alabama [print this page] Local car dealerships happy to get new Hyundai Elantra from Alabama
American made. It's a term that conjures something a little different in everyone's minds. It means something a little different to everyone. And when it comes to the auto industry, it's extra confusing.
What does it mean? Is GM American made? Haven't they shipped jobs to Mexico faster than an Isaah Thomas to Joe Dumars fast break over the last 25 years? But there once were a Detroit company. I mean they're corporate offices are still there. Or maybe they're in Dearborn now. But that's still the United States, so they're an American company, right?
Decide for yourselves. What I find encouraging in the auto industry is exactly what our homegrown automakers have been unable to pull off for the most part: Bringing new jobs to the US workforce. That's why local Hyundai dealerships are proud that the 2011 Hyundai Elantra models populating area lots will be made close to home, just over in Montgomery, Alabama.
Hyundai isn't new to Alabama, though. The Sonata has been in production there for more than a year. In fact, the Sonata and Elantra are Hyundai's two most popular models. So what does it mean to be American made?
I think it means ignorance. The term American made became a big deal in the 80s thanks in large part to American automakers shipping jobs to Mexico, plus a hoard of other companies shipping jobs overseas in search of cheap labor. "Made in America" became a rallying cry. Wal-Mart proudly advertised it on most of their merchandise. Of course, that was a lie.
Our thinking about buying American needs to change. We live in a great nation, but more importantly we live in a world. And the economy we must live with does not know national boundaries the way we do. Over the past couple of years, I would argue that Hyundai/Kia has been a much more "American" company than GM has.
Either way, all of the dealerships associated with Hyundai and Kia are proud of US production of their very popular models. The choice is yours, but I wouldn't drive by a Hyundai lot because you're looking for an "American" product. Go interview some people in Montgomery, Alabama, and go interview some people in Flint, Michigan. Then decide which company makes you proud to purchase its label.
