American International Auto Dealers Respond to Obama's "Buy American" Plea

The economic crisis can be succinctly blamed on two things: Americans not wanting to buy houses, and Americans not wanting to buy cars. While many will exclaim that the current dismal situation is far more complex than that, the take home message delivered most recently by President Obama was that Americans looking to remedy the situation should endeavour to purchase both homes and autos to help stimulate the economy. Obviously, the homes he speaks of are American, but when it came to automobiles, he felt the need to elaborate, and advised the public to “buy American.”

Not surprisingly, this raised the ire of more than a few auto dealers; "American International Auto Dealers Association (AIADA) objects to President Obama's 'buy American' solution for the auto sector," said AIADA President Cody Lusk. "In today's globalized economy 'buying American' can mean anything from buying a Chevy Avalanche built by Mexican workers in Silao, Mexico to buying a Toyota Camry built by Americans in Georgetown, Kentucky."

"The real issue is that every car purchased in America today is a shot in the arm for our economy, a boost for car dealers, who are the cornerstones of communities all across this country, and a win for American consumers who have the opportunity to choose the vehicles that best meet their driving needs. President Obama must recognize that protectionist policies and statements like "buy American" have no place in America's economic recovery."