Obama Labor Boss Buys Canadian-Built Car

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: US News & World Reports

To show her support for American workers, President Obama's labor secretary, Hilda Solis, has junked the standard black limo and purchased a new Chevrolet Equinox to ride around Washington in. The problem: the crossover SUV is built and assembled in Canada from parts also made in Canada.

Solis proudly arrived at a media breakfast hosted by the Christian Science Monitor today in the shiny silver vehicle, which she has dubbed the "bullet." She was asked about why she traded the standard-issue limo for the SUV. "What better example could I set if I encouraged my staff to go and purchase and seek how we could acquire a vehicle that would for me would send a signal that we're for supporting our American workers, American-made products, fuel efficient as well," she told the Monitor's Dave Cook, who provided this video of her answer.

olis added that she was inspired to buy the Chevy because of the pride she saw in American auto workers during trips to U.S. car and truck plants. She said that she was wowed by "the pride that they take making our automobiles here in America."

The car is made at two Canadian plants and has been so popular that General Motors has been hiring more workers in Canada to keep up with demand.

Read more: http://www.usnews.com/news/washington-whispers/articles/2011/08/31/obama-labor-boss-buys-canadian-built-car

[doc03]

1. What does made in America mean anymore? I bought a Chevy

Cruze that is supposed to made in Ohio. It only has 45% US content yet a Toyota Camry has 90% US content.

[No Elephants]

14. What does that have to do with Solis's car?

[doc03]

23. Her car was assembled in Canada but what is the US

content? It may have more US content than many cars actually assembled in the US. Many cars people consider Japanese cars like the Camry is assembled here and have 90% US content yet a Ford Fusion is assembled in Mexico and has 98% Mexican content. My 2006 Toyota Tacoma was assembled in California and at the time had more American content than all its compact pickup competitors.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

42. Maybe she thinks since it was built in "North" America, it would be OK.

[Omaha Steve]

49. Because the engine is quality made in Europe for now

The engine is European made. The 1.4 turbo (coming soon) will be made in USA!

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/made-in-the-usa.html

But does that make them American? Not necessarily. According to the U.S. government, to be an American car, 75 percent of a car’s parts must come from the USA or Mexico or Canada. Including Canada and Mexico allows the Detroit 3 to claim they still build the majority of their cars in North America.


And; Mar 8, 2011 – The 1.4L turbo will be made in the US which should alter the US/Canadian content in a major way. Considering Cruze was 3rd best selling...

[notadmblnd]

2. Canada is in North America

[No Elephants]

15. She meant the U.S.

[Xithras]

59. Yep. Technically speaking, Canadians are Americans. So are Brazilians, Guatamalans, and Chileans.

We tend to be a very U.S.-centric people in our terminology.

FWIW, in Spanish, "americanos" simply refers to anyone from north or south America. WE are called "estadounidense".

[RandySF]

3. Was it built by CAW workers?

[former9thward]

4. She is not paid by CAW workers.

[No Elephants]

26. Who cares? She did not brag it was made by union workers. She bragged it was made by U.S. workers.

And she is the U.S. Secretary of LABOR, not the Canadian Secretary of Unions.

[Cirque du So-What]

5. Any port in a storm, eh?

Is there no depth to which those who seek to discredit Barack Obama by any & all means will sink?

[No Elephants]

17. ?? This seems to make Solis look clueless, not Obama.

[alarimer]

52. Except that any of us could make that mistake too.

As other posters have already said, there are virtually no vehicles that are entirely US-made anymore. Or, as was also mentioned, you have Toyota Camrys that have more US content than some "American" car.

[24601]

25. Yeah, who would have thought his own Labor Secretary and

Canadian auto workers would be in on the plan to get him? This also was Bush's fault since he covered up the fact that Canada made SUVs y'know! And damn the press for daring to report the truth!

[frylock]

30. obama's people are doing a damn fine job of discrediting themselves..

let's quit dicking around and just admit that if this were bush's sec of labor you wouldn't be defending this.

[Cirque du So-What]

54. I'm not naive enough to expect made-in-America purity in the automotive sector

I've worked in the automotive sector, so I'm quite familiar with their practices. I would not expect 'purity' on the part of the Bush administration either. If you want to persist and now call me a liar, we can take this to the next logical step.

[frylock]

57. neither am i, but that is completely beside the point..

the issue is her statement.

[kenfrequed]

6. Even were it American...

It would be a meaningless symbolic gesture.

[No Elephants]

18. Did you miss where she was bragging that it is American?

[kenfrequed]

60. Yeah I got that...

My point is even if it hadn't been a total gaffe, it still would have been a hollow, empty, meaningless gesture.

How much better would it have been if this labor secretary (who routinely screws over labor) had actually bought one American made car?

[Kingofalldems]

7. Unrec for unjust attack on a loyal Democrat

The car is union made. CAW and UAW have a great relationship. Also headline disrespectful--- 'Obama Labor Boss' is not her title. She is the Secretary of Labor. Not LBN either.

[No Elephants]

20. Oh, please, Louise. "Boss" has been used in headlines to describe agency heads and other top

people for as long as I can remember. And she was bragging that the car was made in the U.S., not that it was union made.

"CAW and UAW have a great relationship"

Totally irrelevant. Why wouldn't they have a great relationship? That doesn't mean UAW wants CAW workers taking work away from UAW workers, or vice versa, not to mention the union dues.

She went out of her way to brag that she bought a car made in America because she had seen how much pride U.S. workers took in their work. She was either lying or clueless; and that is very important to know about anyone in a very important government position, no matter which Party they belong to. And when that position is Secretary of Labor, it's even more important. Nothing about reporting that is unfair.

And she's not simply a loyal Democrat. She's in government. She's a public figure. Secretary of Labor, in fact. If she can't take criticism for buying a Canadian car when she claims she bought one made by U.S. workers, she should not accept a position like that. In fact, if she can't manage to buy a U.S. made car when she intends to buy a U.S. made car and thinks she bought a U.S., maybe she should not have a Cabinet position to begin with.

Unrec away, though. It's the DU equivalent of stamping one's foot. Doesn't change one thing in the real world.

[Kingofalldems]

24. Well thanks for letting me unrec

Didn't realize you were in charge.

[No Elephants]

28. Didn't realize you'd assume I was saying I was in charge when I clearly did not say any

such thing.

But, if that's the best you've got, it's the best you've got.

[Kingofalldems]

32. What I've got is--- I stand by my post

Don't like it? Too bad. The Secretary of Labor made an honest mistake, get over it. She's the best we've had in many years.

[No Elephants]

34. Sorry you don't get it. The press has every right to write about her

"honest mistake."

[24601]

39. One mistake? There aret least two. The first was "buying Canadian"

and the 2nd was the publicity gaffe.

And as far as the reporting, SHE bought it? - no, WE bought it. She is just using it.

[Kingofalldems]

43. Sorry, "Labor Boss" is a term used by right wing anti-union

republicans.

[No Elephants]

45. Link? It's been used by headline writers, though, for as long as I can remember.

Secretary of Labor is much too long for a headline.

I've written headlines--for my union's newspaper.

[Freddie Stubbs]

69. It could be considered a pejorative when used to describe a labor union leader, but

Ms. Solis is not an official in any labor union.

[24601]

31. Loyalty to Canada doesn't count - rec for keeping countries straight. n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

65. By what criteria is it not LBN?

:shrug:

[oldbanjo]

8. Our Military trucks are made in Canada

and my Ford truck is made in Canada. THIS IS AWFUL.

[No Elephants]

21. It's especially bad, IMO, when our government offshores that way.

Not private folks buying their own vehicle, like you. But she is Secretary of Labor, and bragging about buying American to boot.

[newblewtoo]

9. Embarrassing on so many levels

Not so much about the vehicle being made in Canada but that she would shoot from the lip not knowing like she did. If she sent a staffer out to acquire it, more is the pity. She made an assumption she knew something which will forever cloud her career.

[bluedigger]

11. I agree.

The problem isn't that she bought a Canadian built SUV, but that she publicized it as American built. It makes her look like she (or her immediate staff) isn't doing her homework. Gaffes like this diminish her credibility, and by extension, the Administration's.

[No Elephants]

33. I think both are a problem.

First, she hold a Cabinet level position in a Democratic administration and unions are big and faithful contributors to, and supporters of, Democrats.

Second, her Cabinet level position is Secretary of Labor. If she isn't supposed to be trying to buy things American workers made, who the hell is?

[24601]

35. Partially right - it's not that they "look like" the dog ate their homework

as much as it is that they really didn't do it in the first place.

[formercia]

13. All the staffer had to do was read the factory tags on the Vehicle.

ASSUME

Make an ASS out of You and Me.

[SoapBox]

10. Can you even buy a car that is FULLY made in the U.S.?

...and I mean ALL parts?

This is gonna sound like another non-story.

[yurbud]

12. If you make it yourself.

[No Elephants]

27. LOL. Looking for any excuse at all, huh? Thing is, she said she HAD bought a car

made by U.S. workers.

Do you think the U.S. Secretary of Labor should be able to know what she had bought?

[alarimer]

53. It's an honest mistake.

One that anyone can (and frequently do) make.

[LanternWaste]

67. I imagine looking for excuses is no greater, nor no less a sin than

I imagine looking for excuses is no greater, nor no less a sin than looking for empty indictments. :shrug:

[snooper2]

58. Yes...Here's one, bad ass as well, only 24K

ehicle Specifics
Year: 1931 Make / Model: Plymouth Other
Mileage: -- Title Status: Clear
Engine: -- Transmission: -- Exterior Color: --
Doors: -- Interior Color: --




Vehicle Description
This is a one of a kind Rat Rod that has been VERY WELL DONE. To start off this car, it has a custom built square tube frame. Next, the body is a '31 Plymouth, complete with suicide doors and a chopped top. The body has a few well placed bullet holes and has been hit twice with a shot gun. The white military style stars, canvas top, and neat old "stop" light in the back finish off the body. Those big 20 inch wheels are 132 spoke Daytons powder coated black. The grill out front is from a Willy's, and the head lights are Ford. The power plant for this thing is a GM crate 350 with less than 700 miles on it, and has a 4 speed Saginaw transmission. It has front disc brakes with WIlwood master cylinder and pedal and braided steel lines. The clutch also has a Wilwood master cylinder and pedal. The rear end is a GM 10 bolt posi trac setup. Suspension-wise, the front end has cantilever front coils and a Watts link. The rear end is a 4 link coil over setup with a Watts link as well. This car has a nice big aluminum radiator, headers, HEI ignition, Holley 4 barrel carburetor, Flaming river steering box, skid plate, aluminum fuel cell, and Ooga Horn! There's a canvas roof, bomber style seats, Hurst shifter with a 30mm shell casing shift knob, fire extinguisher, whiskey dispenser, cigarette dispenser, and first aid kit! There are tons more details to go over and we find new ones every time we get out and stare at this work of art! The exhaust is super nasty and the this thing is a kick in the pants to drive!

http://www.oldride.com/classic_cars/891090.html

[Shadowflash]

16. Double Standard.

I see people around here bashing other people buying Toyotas and Hondas, even if they were built in the US, because the profits and money from the sale of the vehicles ultimately goes to Japan.

Where are those people in this thread saying that, even though it was made in Canada, the profits go to Detroit so, ultimately, it is buying an American car?

[AverageJoe90]

19. agreed. n/t

[Electric Monk]

22. I think he got hit by Hurricane Irene.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1830487

Whoops, that was his pre-Irene thread.


http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1845320

Here's his post-Irene thread.

[No Elephants]

37. Also, she is not Secretary of Automaker Profits.

[DeSwiss]

29. This episode epitomizes the disconnect of this administration with reality. - K&R n/t

[high density]

36. So what?

GM builds many high quality vehicles in Canada. Beats a Ford from Mexico.

[No Elephants]

38. The relevant points miss you.

[high density]

40. That this is a free country and people are free to buy what they want?

I guess that does fly right past me there.

Solis being unable to read the Monroney sticker that says where it was made and then boasting about it being "American" is pretty dumb, yes.

[No Elephants]

47. Yes, dumb. Which is very different from what you originally posted.

Also, whether this is a free country is irelevant. So is whether you and I are free to buy what we want.

Don't know about you. With our economy and unemployment level being where they are, I sure would not feel free buy a car made in Canada right now, even if no one would jail me for it.

However, this is the Secretary of Labor, buying a big ticket item with tax dollars paid by U.S. workers. Maybe different considerations apply than when I buy a car with my own money.

[LanternWaste]

68. The relevant point being she purchased a Chevrolet?

The relevant point being she purchased a Chevrolet?

[Omaha Steve]

41. Marta has an 09 Eqinox (she loves it)

I have no problem buying a Chevy made in Canada. And how many posts about BUY made in USA have I done on the DU? Probably more than anyone else. This is an exception. The plant runs 24 x 7 including holidays. It has been the best selling car a couple of months this year.



http://www.compareautoinsurance.com/what-are-top-25-cars-in-the-usa-for-2011/

Chevrolet Equinox

So we were wrong. Who knew there was a market for vehicles that look kind of confused about whether they are a car or a truck but we are humble enough to step up and admit it. The Chevrolet Equinox is one of the best selling cars in America and has won numerous awards with very few complaints from automotive critics. Some of the Chevrolet Equinox awards include:

* Consumers Digest Best Buy (2010)
* Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2009)
* Best New SUV of 2010 by Cars.com
* 2010 Drivers’ Choice Award for Best Small Utility Vehicle by MotorWeek
* 2010 Top 10 Family Car (2010) Kelly Blue Book
* # 1 in Affordable Compact SUVs (2011) U.S. News

The Chevrolet Equinox has helped put crossover SUV’s on the map and people have embraced these vehicles with open arms (and wallets).

The average cost of car insurance for the Chevrolet Equinox is around $1,210 a year or $101 a month for good drivers.

Compare Auto Insurance Quotes for the Chevrolet Equinox


And this: http://www.suvtracker.com/2011/news/2011-chevrolet-equinox-the-new-family-car-according-to-usa-today/

In USA Today’s latest family-focused $29,000 SUV Shootout sponsored to Cars.com, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox takes the lead.

“The testing by experts and a family aimed to see which compact crossover offers the best value — the best package of convenience, features and performance at a price within reach of middle-class families of no more than $29,000,” says USA Today.

They point out that the new “family car” is not a car, but a compact crossover SUV. In fact, this segment is going to continue growing as sales boom for these small-to-midsize vehicles that combine the roominess of trucks with the driving ease and lighter weight of a car. “They are roomy but not gargantuan. Engines are peppy but not guzzlers,” adds USA Today.

The $29,000 window sticker is still higher than an average midsize sedan, but families don’t seem to mind investing just a bit more to get the added space and features.

USA Today says:

The scoring was tight, but the top scorer was the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox, followed by the Dodge Journey, Kia Sportage, Subaru Forester, Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4.


More at link.

[BiggJawn]

44. Hell, the transmission in my Ranger is made in freakin' GERMANY...

Welcome to the Global Community, where "American" vehicles are 75% furrin and furrin vehicles are 95% American.

[happyslug]

48. Manual Transimission? Ranger Automatic Transmissions since 1998 are French Built

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_(North_America)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Ranger_(North_America)

[BiggJawn]

56. That's right, my mistake.

I thought it was the engine block that was French-built.
I've got the Auto. Last car had such a stiff clutch I developed knee problems from driving it.

[treestar]

46. At least it wasn't China

I'm not really resentful in this case. Canada is a near neighbor and likely its citizens buy stuff made in the US as well.

[roamer65]

50. Canada has a better social safety net than us.

I'd buy a US nameplate Canadian-made vehicle in a heartbeat.

[Brickbat]

51. I love CAW cars, but if she's going to blather about US-made vehicles she shoulda educated herself.

Embarrassing.

[Cirque du So-What]

55. According to this link

http://abcnews.go.com/WN/MadeInAmerica/page?id=13795239

The Chevy Equinox is constructed from 66% American-made parts. If there's one that's 100% pure, it's news to me.

[Honeycombe8]

62. True. But it's a GM & benefits GM, its employees, & America, when you buy a Chevy.nt

[onehandle]

63. That's right. And when you buy an American branded car, there is a domino effect...

...It's not just their employees that benefit, but hundreds of other thousands of jobs of suppliers and their connections.

I had some business dealings with GM a while back and learned just how built into the life blood of America they are.

For instance, as much as we despise Walmart, the downfall of GM would have cost thousands of their workers' jobs to be at risk.

66% is better than I even thought, for a car assembled in Canada.

[Honeycombe8]

61. All cars are made in multiple countries, or their parts are. There is no 100% American car anymore.

and a lot of the "Japanese" cars are assembled here in America.

But the Equinox is a GM car. It helps GM and its employees, and America, every time someone buys a Chevy.

Some Fords are assembled in Mexico and use parts from Asia.

Almost all so-called American cars get parts from Japan and other countries.

The only 100% made-in-own country cars I've read about are Chinese.

[onehandle]

64. I'm considering buying a GM car made in that factory. 66% American plus Union Assembled...

...sounds pretty good by today's standards, even with the Canadian assembly.

GM Canada used to have a plant down here in Atlanta. My godfather was Canadian, moved here to help set up the plant and became a citizen.

Nobody complained until the factory closed.

[workinclasszero]

66. I was lookin at a new Ford Festiva the other day..

40mpg and assembled in Mexico. Engine was from another country as well if I remember right.

But its an "American car".

The Hyundai I drive was assembled in Alabama I believe, go figure.