Toyota Tacoma. More American than Chevy.

[rngrchad]

I'm sure I'm not alone when I state that I commonly am confronted by this statement: "Dude, your the reason why our automotive industry is tanking right now, and our economy is in the dumps.....I don't know how you can call yourself american when you drive a Toyota."

I of course paraphrased the above, however it is something that I have dealt with over 9 consecutive years of Yota ownership. Now with the purchase of my 2008 Access Cab, I finally have a rebuttal to my fellow construction working trash-talkers.

What got me thinking about all this was when my friend and neighbor who works for DANA/SPICER manufacturing plant recently showed up at my house in his brand new 08 4x4 tacoma. I was literally floored that he, of all people, the american auto industry mfg'ing good ol' boy has just bought a non- domestic truck for the first time in his life! He's owned 2 fullsize Ford's, 1 full size dodge, and bought his wife a 2000 f-150. I said to him:
"What gives, I can't believe you have a Toyota!!!"

He laughed and stated that the specific Tacoma he had bought is made more in America than any new Dodge or Ford 1/2 ton truck. He mentioned that he researched a bunch of trucks with the simple idea that he was buying whatever truck that had the most american made parts and was still assembled in america, and this 08 Tacoma was the truck he ended up with.

I had a hard time believing him and therefore will be doing my own research comparing the top domestic auto companies to what Toyota is building here in the states also. This is just interesting to me......I can't wait to see what I find out.

[maxama10]

chances are most of your truck was built in fremont CA and mexico...

[Zembonez]

Data on percentages of American parts in vehicles by make through 2006. (for vehicles intended for US market)

BMW - 10%
Chrysler Group - 78%
Ford (domestic brands) - 78%
GM (domestic brands) - 74%
Honda/Acura - 59%
Hyundai/Kia - 3%
Isuzu - 17%
Mitsubishi - 36%
Nissan/Infiniti - 46%
Subaru - 26%
Toyota/Lexus - 47%
Volkswagen/Audi - 4%

Although Toyota doesn't show up company wide as the leader here, I have read that the Tundra now is basically tied with GM in the department of American content and actually has MORE US content than some GM truck models. Once the new numbwers for the new Tundra are included, Toyota will be higher in US content. Pretty impressive I'd say! I don't have the data on the Tacoma, but I believe the drivetrain components are still sent from Japan.

source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/new-data...t-in-cars.html

[HoosierTacoma08]

Nope bro your definitely not alone, I lived in a little redneck Chrysler town for six years and took a beating. My Dad has owned Toyota's for almost 30 years with little to no problems. I'm on my second, and won't even consider driving anything else, and I'm proud that with my purchase I'm supporting AMERICAN jobs.

Jared