Another tradition falls

Yesterday, I broke a 43 year tradition.

I bought my first non-American plated vehicle. Since I was 15 years old, every car I have ever purchased was an American plated car. I was a patriotic holdout refusing to walk off from the American automakers even though their autos were historically poorly designed, poorly made and poorly serviced by dealers who disappeared after the sale. Several years ago, I found a great dealer and would drive 90 miles to purchase my American plated auto. The cars were not any better, but this was a great family owned dealership which was run by the owners. They handled everything so a poorly made car could still have a chance to be a good vehicle with their relentless commitment to their customers.

But, for me it all changed when the auto makers made their way to Washington to tell Congress that what was good for American automakers was good for the nation. I guess Congress believed the lie and gave them a key to the treasury. "Just help yourselves, take all you need!" And they did, and have come back for more.

I decided that day, I was no longer a customer. I suffered through crappy cars, but I am not going to pay for them at least twice, first through a bank note and then through taxes.

If America and the automakers were joined at the hip, perhaps they should have thought a long time ago about their ongoing unpatriotic management of the Big 3 which shrunk the car industry causing layoffs and plant closings that many communities and families have not lived beyond. By their own hand, GM, Chrysler, and Ford have committed a maddeningly slow suicide by their arrogant refusal to make decent cars at decent prices serviced by decent dealers.

So, I threw in the towel and went looking for a work car that was "preowned" but had lots of life left in it. Yesterday I found it. The price was great, the body was super, the interior was spotless, and best of all, this eight year old car was designed and engineered for 500,000 miles. If I didn't know better, I would say I was sitting in a new car.

I value loyalty and I have been a loyal customer of the American automobile. When Detroit went to Washington, I finally got it. These guys did not deserve my loyalty. Truthfully, they don't deserve anyone's.

On the way to purchase my "preowned" vehicle, I passed a closed GM dealership. I shuttered at the things to come, but greed and arrogance always set up a day of reckoning.