Consumers Defining "American" Vehicles

Washington DC August 30, 2006; The AIADA newsletter reported that auto dealers are finding that their customers' view of what makes a vehicle "American" is expanding.

In a survey conducted by Dealer Magazine last week, 37 percent of respondents think any vehicle assembled by workers in the U.S. qualifies as an "American" vehicle.

Meanwhile, 42 percent of those polled restrict the "American" tag to vehicles made in this country by a company with U.S. ownership.

The poll reflects international nameplate automakers' growing role in the U.S. auto industry. International nameplate automakers currently operate 16 assembly plants on American soil, with a 17th (Toyota's Tundra Plant in San Antonio, TX) opening in November.