Re: European Car Sales in the US

Thierry Lorthioir (for56gt@choice.net)
Sun, 04 Jul 1999 14:36:07 +0000

>
> DETROIT (AP) -- European automakers again posted some of the biggest percentage
> gains in the U.S. market last
> month, while the Chrysler unit of DaimlerChrysler AG [NYSE:DAJ - news] saw sales
> fall 5 percent compared with
> record sales a year ago.
> (...)
> second month. Saab AB, meanwhile, had a 34 percent sales increase last month...
>
>
>
>

It is getting more and more confusing as to what is American and not.
In the
case of Toyota(Georgetown, Ky) their American manufacturing arm is
clearly separated. Same with Honda(Maysville, Ohio) etc. These companies
are still considered foreign since the main headquarters and the
financial arms are in Japan.

This not the case with GM's division , SAAB. It is my understanding
that their headquarters for Automobile division has been in Atlanta for
a long time and that all design, finance etc. is there.... If finance is
the criteria then it is an American Corporation as it is legally).

But then a good portion of the car are still made in Scandinavia and for
sure , the assembly process , for over 80% is still there, which is the
last loophole. If the nationality of a manufacturer comes from where
its products are assembled then we have a serious melting pot fusion
situation...... Volkswagen from Mexico, Brazil... Peugeot from Chili,
Iran, China... Mercedes from Malaysia, Alabama... BMW from South
Carolina...Ford from France, England,China..

Consistently with this , I believe that after being headquartered
,financed and based in Atlanta (GA) (Since 1987?)
I think of Saab as an American brand. How do you see it?

--
Sincerely,


Thierry


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