Should Americans feel guilty about buying Japanese cars?

I don't think so. This should make Ford and GM realize that Americans need fuel efficient cars that is smaller and more affordable... and a good design!

I don't understand why they can't accomplish this, and yet other companies overseas are able to and have been doing for the past several years. They should point the fingers at themselves, not the American public.

However, the American people are responsible to vote the right people into government and guide the auto industry from collapsing. I'm pretty sure the government will give the auto industry the loan they need... otherwise we're looking at further lay offs.

But usually when a company collapses, another rises. Maybe someone might create a new auto industry to create new jobs. If there is a need, it will be filled.

To the guy on the bottom, I can see what your saying, but not all Japanese cars are made in the U.S. and not all American cars are made in mexico. But you do have a point.

Yes and No. American car makers have struggled over the past years because the Japanese are simply making better cars than the American car companies.

If I wanted to buy a truck or SUV, I would definitely buy American, but as far as a reliable, fuel efficient, safe cars, I'd buy Japanese in a heart beat. It's not my fault that the American companies have fell behind in making overall better more reliable cars, so I don't feel it's my duty to buy only American made cars. When companies like Ford and GM start making better cars again, I will happily buy from them.

Ford is making a comeback, so I've been keeping an eye on their cars, GM still has some work to do on a few lines of their cars, though I always had good luck with Pontiac's.

Absolutely not the main reason for the decline is foreign companies are making a better product. I currently do not own a foreign car but I have in the past. However my motorcycle is Japanese. Also most of these foreign cars are made in the United States. I have two within an hours drive from my home they pay well and have great benefits. Why buy an inferior product when you can spend the same or less on a superior item. Now of course not all cars are created equal you have the very expensive high end in which most of us cannot afford. However Honda and Toyota make excellent cars that out last any of their American counterparts

No, Americans should not feel guilty at all! The reason for this change is because of better marketing strategies by the Japanese markets, and companies like Toyota focusing on more "GREEN" and better fuel efficient cars. If the cars are better, then why not buy the best product out there. The company that is the most sustainable for the future will progress. The United States needs to gain their competitive advantage again. This youtube clip will help your opinion, although not about Japan specifically... it shows how the United States relates to the current global economy. How sustainable will the United States become?

Here is the link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYOoYb3s2I8

I feel not because I have brought both america an japanese cars. The Japanese car are a little tougher and a whole lot better on gas. The Americans car designer just fell behind on what people want and what is popular. They were more worried about greed. Just like when Ford came out with their new F150 in 2006 that truck should not been price in $30,000 for a base model. The gas prices went up and caught them off guard. We should not feel guilty they did it to them selves greedy ceo. Even a couple of their past ceo and people who used to work for them said they did it to themselves.

No, I don't think we should feel guilty about it. Look at the economy here. Our economy just keeps getting worse and worse and we need to spend out money on what is best for us. If we need a little fuel efficient car, and the japanese are the ones supplying it, then that is what we need to do. Our american companies need to make these cars available at a price that the americans can actually afford to pay. We can afford the thousands that american vechile makers want us to pay, so if foreign made vechiles are cheaper and more in our price range then maybe the american vechile makers need to take a cue and learn from them.

there was a problem in 1970 about gas before that japan was making very 6 cylinder cars but they realize that in future we may face the same problem then they start making small cars and know we see that they were right american auto industry should make small cars which give more millage in less flue beside all the ford 4 cylinder cars are made in korea u cannot blame Japanese but u can blame american auto industry y they are making cars in korea because of labor the labor is far more cheaper u if i want to buy a car i will see which car suits me

No I don't think so, Gm got their selves in this mess by largely thinking they could produce cars that had no future to them. Cars that are not echo friendly and cost more than what they are worth. I feel sorry for the people who have lost their jobs. This bale out plan shouldn't include people you disreguard future progress in this country. I believe if that money was given to Gm they would take a long spa vacation like those others did. Wouldn't we all be so lucky to get spa treatments.

NO, and the reason has nothing to do with supporting american companies or wanting greener cars it has to do with the simple economics of how trade works, without going into two much detail about specialization and how trade benefits all parties involved i will ask one simple question.

isn't buying a honda that is made in an american factory by american workers more patriotic then buying a ford that is produced in a mexican factory by mexican workers?

No, they chose not to make fuel efficient car. Also, some of the Japanese car makers factory are located in US where employ local workers. So in some way, they provide jobs to American engineer.