We are treated to many shots of typical carscapes in Eugene, Oregon. Today, for a change of pace, let us go to a different location – Lafayette, Indiana. Do you notice a theme here?
I have been making frequent trips there to visit family and I pass this parking lot on the way to my destination. It hit me that there was not a single foreign car in the parking lot. Lafayette is a kind of a college town (Purdue University, which is across the river in West Lafayette) and is also the location of Subaru’s sole manufacturing plant in the U.S. This building is, however, not terribly close to either of those places, where I would expect to see a more well-rounded selection.
Several hours after snapping the shot I looked more closely – the theme continues in the lot in the background, with a single exception – a VW New Beetle at the back by the CVS sign. I cropped and enlarged on that area so that you can make them all out better. And yes, that looks like a Chevy Uplander peeking out from the shrubbery back up the street.
For all those who wondered how GM, Ford, and Chrysler managed to stay around for so many years – it is in no small part because of buyers from small cities in the Midwest who continued to buy domestic stuff long after those on the coasts lost interest–right up to the present day, as the Chrysler 200 and Ford Fusion attest.
“Toto, I don’t think we’re in Eugene anymore”
You are so correct, sir. I spent four years in central Indiana and the thing that struck me most was that the farther from Indianapolis one got, the fewer imports one saw. I would have assumed that there would have been more Subarus, but no, there were not. Domestics were overwhelmingly popular choices over anything else. Plus, with lots of factories in the area, there were a lot of families that got the GM, Ford, or Chrysler price breaks, making domestics a better value as well. Many of my coworkers there spoke of how they got the family discount on cars since Mom, Grandpa, or some family member worked for the local plant and that determined what car they purchased. Does Subaru have similar programs for price incentives for employees and their families? From what I read, the benefit is for a lease instead. That would probably make it a less popular choice.
Even though I don’t think I’ve been to Lafayette, Indiana, this street scene looks very familiar.
Last weekend I went to my birthplace of Cape Girardeau; nary a Toyota or Honda but VW and Kia were quite well represented.
In the interest of full disclosure, this was a lower income area of the city. In the far eastern edge where much of the new construction is happening there is a really, really big Subaru dealer and those cars are well represented around the suburban Lafayette shopping centers.
The variations in scene, even within a smaller area, are always interesting.
Plus, I realized I misspoke; while there, I visited with a cousin who has a rather new Avalon Hybrid in a great cranberry color. Quite a striking car and he lives out in the sticks.
While there a conversation with my father revealed he’s thinking of ridding himself of his 2011 Taurus. At 74, he wants to stick with an “American” car; I told him one could look long and hard and not find any murkier waters than those.
I noticed this same phenomenon moving from Ithaca NY (college town, home to Cornell and Ithaca College) to Indianapolis. I think it’s worth emphasizing that the domestic-bias can be especially effectively correlated to neighborhood income/education. Older working class neighborhoods as well as newer “vinyl villages” inhabited by factory workers and such are still dominated by domestics, and perhaps a smattering of older used Hondas/Toyotas. The poor urban neighborhoods (predominantly black) are likewise still solidly domestic territory (smattering of Koreans, Nissans and worn out Galants), both in terms of the used fleet as well as new. Going more rural to small outlying factory towns, domestics likewise still rule the roost. But go to a trendy downtown area, or even my yuppie northside neighborhood, and things are much more import-heavy.
Even personally, I think living out here has changed my preferences in cars. Poor pavement and generally boring commuting means sharp handling zippy stick shift cars are mostly lost on me now. A softer, durable suspension and cheap/easy to repair are more the priority. Beyond that even, I almost feel obligated in a way to own an American car. I had a ’97 Ranger last summer, and am thinking about getting another compact domestic truck now that I’ve acquired a taste for them.
You are quite right that the mix varies with income and culture. Out in the farming communities late model American cars are still very common while in the upper income urban areas they are harder to find.
In less affluent areas Detroit stuff makes a much more affordable used car, cheaper to buy and relatively cheap to fix. Toyondas are much more expensive to buy.
Yeah, but what will the Saturn driver use later when nobody bought the Chrysler 200 in 2017?
Jeans made in Mexico, shoes made in China, socks made in Taiwan, Shirt made in Vietnam, baseball cap made in China, wallet made in Brazil and cell phone made in Korea. I’ve got everything. God I don’t know why people drive those damn foreign cars!
Seems I recall someone posting on this board some time ago that, during a coast to coast trip, they noticed an increase in population of big three products in the midwest, compared to the coasts. iirc, a regional breakdown of automaker market share several years ago showed the big three, combined, only hold about a 30% share on the west coast.
Around Motown, such a large part of the population gets A Plan from someone that many big three dealers only advertise the A Plan price. Wayne Assembly, which is currently cranking out the Focus, is only a few miles from my home, so cars with license plate frames saying “I work at Ford. I drive a Ford” are common. I also see plenty of big three cars and trucks with bumper stickers that say “lost your job yet? keep buying foreign”
Of course, big three models are increasingly using foreign made parts, and many are built outside of the US. My coworkers had to torture logic more than a bit to explain how a Mexican built Fusion was “American”, while an Ohio built Honda was “foreign”. Neglecting money paid to vendors and money paid to workers in the assembly plant, the coworkers insisted what made a car “American” was “where all the money goes”, presumably meaning the profits. The CFO had a Swedish built Saab, and insisted it was American because “all the money” went to GM. Of course, the moment GM dumped Saab, he couldn’t wait for the lease to end so he could get rid of the now foreign car. Several of my coworkers drove Chrysler products, several Jeeps, Durangos and first gen Pacificas were in the parking lot. I could have pointed out that, for most of the last 20 years, Chrysler was, by their definition “foreign” because, by their definition, “all the money” was going to either Stuttgart or Turin, but I had to work with these people so I kept my piehole shut.
Yes Jim, there are 4 “foreign” cars in your pic. Not only the Mexican built VW, but the Neon and PT. where “all the money” went to Stuttgart and the 200, where “all the money” went to Turin.
I suspect that a lot of people underestimate the “employee pricing” thing around here. According to UAW contracts (as I have understood them from afar) not only are actual employees able to buy for a substantial discount but retirees too, as well as “relatives” which can have a pretty expansive definition which includes adult children. And then there are lower level discounts for suppliers and their employees.
I have known people who have been eligible to buy on an employee plan who have bought cars as frequently as allowed (like two a year as I remember it) in order to hold them for a short time then resell to friends. I am thinking of an attorney I know who has driven Chryslers for years because of a relative who worked at Chrysler’s transmission plant in Kokomo where he is from. More US cars bought new translate to more US cars available used (and for significantly lower prices than the top tier Japanese cars) completes the picture.
In areas heavy with former UAW plants there are a lot of retirees left (and their families/descendants) long after plants have closed. Ford GM and Chrysler had many plants in central Indiana but are down to just a handful now.
I suspect that a lot of people underestimate the “employee pricing” thing around here. According to UAW contracts (as I have understood them from afar) not only are actual employees able to buy for a substantial discount but retirees too, as well as “relatives” which can have a pretty expansive definition which includes adult children.
The definition of who qualifies for A Plan can get pretty hazy in the right circumstances.
A few years ago, I had a Ford Taurus X. Discovered that Ford had made the wiper arm on the back window so that the typical Trico or Anco aftermarket wiper blade would not fit, so I had to go to a dealer to get a new blade.
Motoring down Michigan Ave on my way home from Greenfield Village one day, I remembered that I would be going right past Demmer Ford, which is directly across the street from Ford Wayne Assembly. Walked into Demmer’s parts department and told the guy what I wanted. As he wrote up the bill, the conversation went like this:
parts: “you work at Ford?”
me: “nope, I’m the one person in Wayne County that does not get A Plan from someone”
parts: “anyone in your family work at Ford?”
me: “nope”
parts: “anyone in your family ever work at Ford?”
me: “well, my mom and dad worked at the Rouge in about 48” (which is true)
parts: “good enough”
So I got the A Plan discount on that $18 wiper blade.
And then there are lower level discounts for suppliers and their employees.
Yup. I used to work at a Steelcase dealer that provided office furniture to Ford. That qualified my for Z Plan. At the time, Mazda was making the coolest car in the world, in my eyes, the Protege5. As Mazda was then controlled by Ford, my Ford Z Plan extended to Mazda products. I dithered for a bit, then saw the styling of the new 04 Mazda3 (yuk!). At the Detroit show in January 04, the Mazda stand was handing out $500 off ducats for left over 03s. That did it!
The search commenced. I found 2 black Protege5s at Basney Mazda in South Bend.. That Saturday, I gathered up my Z Plan paperwork, $500 off ducat and checkbook and hit the road. Got to the dealer. Yes, the two P5s were on the lot. Yes, they were black. Yes, they had fabric upholstery. Oh, no! They both had moonroofs. Tried one on for size. As I feared, the moonroof rail hung low enough that it would split my skull at the first pothole. (cue inconsolable wailing and sobbing). Utterly dejected, I shuffled back to my Civic and headed home.
Speaking of Ford and Mazda, on further research, I am even more sure the 2019 Focus will be a reskinned Mazda3 So sure that, were I a betting man, I would bet Paul a tour of the Packard Plant, that I am right.
It actually is a pretty nice thing. A friend of mine has a brother that works for GM so he was able to get a sweet deal on a Corvette. it was bought in 2015 and still only has less then 4000 miles on it (garage queen) it replaced a 4 year old Vette that had less then 10,000 miles on it. He just got rid of his Guzzler Jeep in favor of a top of the line Spark Turbo for almost nothing.
A couple of years ago, I was at a show (possibly the Ohio State Fair) where the Dodge… oops, “Ram” booth featured a well-optioned pickup for about $50K. Final assembly, Mexico. Hemi engine assembly, Mexico. Transmission assembly, (don’t remember.)
When approached by the booth worker, my response was “All of that money and American workers are get a minimal share? NO SALE!”
Full disclosure, I have spent many automotive dollars with companies such as Honda who do give American workers a larger shot at the profit.
I believe that most (if not all) of Chrysler’s transmissions originate from Kokomo, Indiana.
I should drive over to Lafayette, IL (pop. 223) and get a few shots. I’d guess there to be a predominance of Ford pickup trucks (the most popular brand in our area), followed by a lot of “domestic” and “import” CUVs, then by a handful of old Buicks and rotted out S-10 pickups.
With the amount of Ford F Series sold every year, I would think that the F150 and its ilk, are the most popular brand in most of the USA.
Surprisingly, I have been seeing a lot of 94-04 S-10 and Sonomas as of late. In various conditions from pristine to total shitbox
Another factor is that a lower population density means that ‘foreign’ automakers are much, much less likely to be in your area for sale or service. Get away from the big cities into the smaller towns with 10,000 or less and you are looking at an hour long trip (or more) to the nearest Nissan, Honda or Toyota dealer – while there is a Chevy, Dodge or Ford dealer right there or in the next town 15 miles away. Where would you buy?
Great point. Personally I would never buy a new vehicle that has to get serviced hours away regardless of how great it is supposed to be. Everybody needs warranty work once in a while.
In the Minnesota town I grew up in Mazda was the only import available. And now that I think about it, I believe Mazda is still the only import around there. All the domestics are represented though.
here in upstate NY the big 3 vs others (cleanest divider I can think of) is really based on gross vehicle weight. Lots of middle class and affluent HHs are driving domestic brands, because trucks. and trucks and trucks. young moms with jeeps everywhere; Acadias, and a zillion crew cab pickups. Dial down the weight to 3500lbs and the important brands probably dominate. Although there are a lot of Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus drivers.
I personally prefer ford trucks/suvs and toyota cars. absolutely no meaningful difference in % US assembly. the last 10 cars we drove from these two brands were a total mix of NAFTA.
I would have to say compared to the rest of the U.S. the Midwest is arguably the most boring place to be for gearheads. The salt takes anything older off the roads so we’re just left with the 2000’s malaise of the auto industry.
Even as someone who lives here, I’ll agree. Car shows tend to just be row after row of “winga dinga cars,” as Mr. Regular might say. Cars and Coffee is your best chance at seeing something older than 1995 that’s not made by the Big 3.
I had the same observation going to visit my grandparents in Wisconsin when I was in my teens. Small town Wisconsin in the 1990s was a haven for Tempos and Cavilers and Grand Ams, etc. As someone else already mentioned, it may have had something to do with the relative availability of domestics in smaller towns versus having to travel at least an hour to a bigger city for an import.
For a while in the early internet era it seemed like the majority of surviving Renault Alliances in the US were in Wisconsin, probably around the factory in Kenosha.
I live about 130 miles south of Lafayette in Indiana. This scene could very well be in my town with a couple of exceptions. First, there would be more pickup trucks as most guys have one. I don’t but have owned many over the years including a Ranchero and an El Camino. Secondly, we have a lot of Toyota/Lexus vehicles here which includes my wife’s Solara. This could probably be due to the Toyota plant nearby where a lot of locals work.
That Malibu is a ringer for my neighbor’s car. Other vehicles of that vintage seen a lot locally are the Olds Alero and GM Dustbuster Vans.
We also have a CVS.
For cars that were derided by pundits over the years as being crappy unreliable cars, there are still a lot of those 96-02 Saturn S Series and 97-05 Malibu/Malibu Classic running around. I saw 5 of those Malibu in ether white or gray today. I see Malibus of that era all the time in the Baltimore/DC area. By contrast I have not seen a 1997 Jetta in 10 years.
Went to the Buffalo Auto Show with a friend this past weekend. Navigating through the “unobtainable” and the “ho-hum”, we began to compare the sourcing and domestic content of the various models. Even the most “domestic” of the offerings has significant offshore content. The most “foreign” we saw was the Buick Envision at 95% Chinese. We saw nothing more domestic than my Acura RDX, with 90% US/Canada sourcing. Some sourcing was pretty strange, e.g. Mini: engine = Germany, transmission = Japan, final assembly = Netherlands. The upshot is, anybody who thinks they can buy an “American” car is just dreaming. Globalization is real, and never going back.
Heh, my old ‘12 Mini was engine France, trans Japan, final assembly England. Kind of the worst of all worlds (but it actually was a decent vehicle for the three years I had it.)
Besides, you can tell it’s Midwest from this piece of tire!
The most striking thing I noticed in that picture is “where the hell are all the pickups?” If that was inner Portland, it’d be all imports, but in the outskirts where I live, you’d see at least half the total represented by domestic 4X4 pickups and big SUV’s.
It’s a lower end apartment complex, for the most part folks just driving practical A to B cars that fit them and their families. Believe me there’s more than enough half tons rolling around Central Indiana!
Curbside classic architecture, the apartment building is so familiarly Midwest with the brick, low pitch roof, lack of pesky windows. Those unadorned 60s and 70s era complexes are everywhere as is the continually gray overcast sky. I guess that explains why I live in raleigh now as does my wife, a product of lafayette Indiana
Quite the contrast to this picture I took recently of Gillette stadium.
About an hour ago I saw a Buick Ranier and 3 (yes, 3) Buick Terazzo U platform minivans. All within a 10 minute time span. Strange even for here.