Sweet Home Alabama

Interesting write up in the Detroit News on Hyundai and the Alabama plant.

Check it out (http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0505/16/A01-183066.htm)and post here your thoughts.


TS out

It is as if Hyundai thinks it is American (anyone seen the recent tv commercials?)

Its called marketing. They are marketing the company and the products it sells to consumers in a way that is done just like Honda, Toyota and other non-USA automobile companies. Its partly to appeal to those that are not familiar with the Hyudai name and or to instill a confidence in the brand name for those that still are weary of Hyundai. Its not a matter of trying to be American or not. But that leads to another question. "What is an American car"? There are alot of folks that say Buy American or its not an American Car. One usually hears that sort of question/comment from folks out in Michigan where the big three are base at, but you know what, nowadays with global trading, it isn't so much as buy an American car or is that car American (http://money.cnn.com/2003/06/26/pf/autos/americancars_whatis/)but rather "How much of your money you spend on a car stays in America".

Now a days, alot of what we think are American Cars are infact put together elsewhere. Take this little tidbit of info on the big three alone for example...

General Motors has the following Mexico Facilities (http://gmdynamic.com/handbook/index.php) for Vehicle Manufacturing in Mexico.
The Ramos Arizpe (http://gmdynamic.com/handbook/index.php?submitForm=true&mode=facility&facility_id=134) Plant makes the following vehicles...
- Ponitac Aztec,
- Chevrolet Cavalier,
- Chevrolet Chevy,
- Pontiac Sunfire,
- Buick Rendezvous,

The Silao (http://gmdynamic.com/handbook/index.php?submitForm=true&mode=facility&facility_id=137)plant makes the following vehicles...
- Chevrolet Surburban,
- Cadallac Escalade EXT,
- Chevrolet Avalanche,
- Chevrolet Escalade ESV,

The Toluca (http://gmdynamic.com/handbook/index.php?submitForm=true&mode=facility&facility_id=139)Plant makes the following vehicles...
- Chevrolet GMT-455 3500HD,
- GMC GMT-455 3500HD
- Chevrolet Silverado,

In Canada if anyone wants to know, GM has the
Oshawa (http://gmdynamic.com/handbook/index.php?submitForm=true&mode=facility&facility_id=128) Plant making...
- Chevrolet Impala,
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo,
- GMC Sierra,
- Chevrolet Silverado,

Oshawa 2 (http://gmdynamic.com/handbook/index.php?submitForm=true&mode=facility&facility_id=218) Plant has...
- Buick Century,
- Buick Regal,

Ford has the following plants in Mexico, link is here (http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=4221).
Cuautitlan Plant which makes the
- Ford F-150,
- F-250,
- F-350,
- F-450,
- F-550,
- F-650,
- F-750,
- Ford Fiesta and IKON (Whatever that is)

The Hermosillo Plant which makes...
- Ford Escort 4-Door,
- Ford Escort 4-Door ZX2
- Ford Focus ZX3,

In Canada, the plants are...
Oakville Assembly which makes
- Ford Windstar

Ontario Truck which makes...
- Ford F-150,
- SVT Lightning truck,
- Harley-Davidson F-150,

St. Thomas Assembly plant makes...
- Ford Crown Victoria,
- Mercury Grand Marquis,

DaimlerChrysler (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/1,,0-5-8793-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) has the following plants in Mexico,
Mexico S.A. de C.V (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-8793-1-36890-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html)., makes trucks
- Mercedes-Benz FLD (Century Class),
- Mercedes-Benz FLN(Premium Class),

Saltillo (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-8793-1-36897-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) Plant makes engines for the following...
Chrysler P.T. Cruiser, Dodge Stratus, Dodge Neon SRT, Dodge Stratus Sedan, Dodge Stratus RT, Chrysler Cirrus, Chrysler Voyager, Dodge Caravan, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Chrysler Sebring Sedan, Jeep® Liberty, Jeep® Wrangler,Dodge Ram Heavy Duty

as well as assembling the..
-Dodge Ram 2500
-Dodge Ram 3500

Toluca Assembly Plant (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-8793-1-36895-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) makes...
- Chrysler PT Cruiser,

Canada plants are ...
Brampton Plant (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-8793-1-36922-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) which makes...
- Dodge Intrepid,
- Chrysler Concorde,
- Chrysler 300M,

Pillette Road (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-8793-1-36918-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) Truck Assembly Plant makes...(and will be closed soon.)
- Dodge Full Size vans,
- Dodge Full Size wagons,

Windsor Plant (http://www.daimlerchrysler.com/dccom/0,,0-5-8793-1-36919-1-0-0-0-0-0-91-7155-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html) makes...
- Dodge Grand Caravan,
- Chrysler Grand Voyager,
- Chrysler Town & Country,
- Chrysler Pacifica,

I would consider any Toyota, Honda, made inthe US as an American car, even the BMW 3 series that is built in the Spartanburg Plant in South Carolina is more of an American car than the ones that I listed above. Now that Hyundai will be producing the Sonata and the upcoming update to the Santa Fe in the states as well, I will consider them also American cars.

TS out

American hands build American cars, nothing else to it. I live just outside of Montgomery, and what a change this plant has brought. I had to drive to northern Tennessee to grab up my 'Nata, and now everywhere you look people are admiring their shiny new Hyundai with their backs turned to the Hondas, Yotas, and even Chevy's and Buicks. And it isn't just the Sonatas that are booming here. My Blue Book value on my car has actually gone up in the 8 months since I bought it because the demand in Alabama is gaining strength with more and more people each day beginning to trust Hyundai and the amazing warranty. Dealers can't import Tuscons or Sante Fe's quickly enough.