CF, what's your attraction to the big 3? Why the devotion? It can't be as simple as "I am for America".
Not sure what Zip means by millions of Americans gave ME a chance. While my previous company did serve the auto industry, I also have equipment in Nissan, Honda, and in other non-American owned facilities. We also did a lot of business in non-automotive sectors. Also, I don't have any family members working directly in the automotive industry.
But, to answer your question, I'm from Detroit (suburbs outside of). Evertime I drive to med school I pass GM's technical center, and when I get downtown (my med school's in Detroit city) I look up and see GM's world headquarters. These two facilities alone employ thousands of people. These are generally good paying jobs (some would argue "too" good). There are thousands of engineers in these facilities and they are full of high tech testing equipment and processes. Much of this is designed and built by small, independent companies down the street (sometimes literally).
The resaraunts in the area serve these people lunch, and plazas tend to be full (rather than vacant) as a result. When things are going well, people are optimistic. Then, people are getting elective dental and other procedures done. People are buying furniture, which allows that guy to buy a boat....This is right in the vicinity. But, in other places, the large automated lines (multi-million dollar systems) are built for their new programs (when they launch a new vehicle). These companies also employ mechanical and electrical engineers. They employ pipefitters and electricians, and programmers for the software that run the lines. Overwhelmingly, these are American suppliers, but there are exceptions.
On the flip side, I've been to the Nissan facility in Canton, Mississippi (they bought an automated tire/wheel line from a key customer of mine, in which I had equipment on THEIR equipment). It's huge. But, they import the VAST majority of their automation equipment from Japan. The same goes for most of the other "transplant" facilities. They import from their home country. Again, there are exceptions here as well, but even from the perspective of smaller components (valves, material handling systems, "grippers", and a host of other devices), they tend to be "specified" as one of their own brands. It's just the way it goes.
So, of course I'm going to support my local community. We often speak on this forum of shooting oneself in the foot. Well, to me, that's what I'd be doing if I weren't to support my local team. It's that simple.
That being said, I totally understand how people have gotten fed up with poor quality and better alternatives from elsewhere. It's a free market, and I have buddies driving "foreign" (I know it's not always cut and dry) cars. We're still buddies...lol It's just very close to home for us in Detroit.
What's even more problematic is the prospect of creating good, high paying jobs that can replace those lost in certain industries. We're not the only ones with this problem. And lets face it, not everyone can go to medical school, law school, or get a job with one of the large I-banks. So, the issue is what other industries can replace those we're losing, and in the numbers sufficient to maintain a middle class in our society?? It's not an easy solution. So, to me, we need be realistic about the implications (farther reaching than many seem to realize) of losing what many consider to be key, strategic, industries.
