In what organizers said was the first event of its kind in the area, Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit teamed up Sunday with GM and the GM Minority Dealers Association to offer churchgoers a chance to test drive more than a dozen cars.
As congregants left the northwest side church at 1 p.m., Pastor Charles Adams said the idea of Ride and Drive was to demonstrate GM's commitment to minority causes, its employment of thousands of local African Americans and to encourage churchgoers to buy a new GM car....
Mike wrote: Come to think of it, maybe Toyota's success is why they're being investigated by those who now own GM.
I've been suspecting the same thing lately. I also suspect that without such hightened scrutiny, many so-called defects in modern Toyotas and similar cars would likely be overlooked and/or ignored.
I think the stratagy will backfire (no pun intended), in that Toyota will just lower prices to bring people back to their cars (it's still a very solid brand) thus increasing their volume sales and overall profits ultimately.
Mike, good remarks. I suspect this $16M Toyota fine is simply a shakedown. If they really owe restitution, inconvenienced owners deserve the money.
Our two Toyotas were both made in Indiana (though other models, like the Prius, may be Made In Japan). I actually consider American manufacture a disadvantage, for I worry about the reliability of American-made parts (domestic content laws?). A system is only as reliable as its least-reliable parts.
Many American-branded cars are final-assembled in Canada or Mexico. Check the window label. Trying to be a "motorcar nationalist" is pretty hopeless.
"Americans now must support American-made products," Adams said outside the church with Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, a longtime member. "We are encouraging our church members to take care of their community by buying locally. This is an ethical purpose that is beyond profit."
"After a cruise in a shiny maroon 2010 Chevy Camaro, Indira Murray was all smiles. "It's a beautiful car," the 38-year-old Detroit resident said. "I love it. When I get a job, I might get one."
Buy GM is the more likely motivation. If the pastor actually wanted to support American-made vehicles in terms of American assembly and American parts manufacture, he might consider recommending the #1 and #2 American made vehicles, the Toyota Camry and the Ford F150.
Several Toyotas are more American-made than the Camaro.
Come to think of it, maybe Toyota's success is why they're being investigated by those who now own GM.
There is so much wrong with this (quite apart from "who's a minority?"), I question whether the title "Church" here is warranted. And I wonder if the pastor is charging a finder's fee for his services?
Along these lines, we just got a mailing from EFCA hawking charitable gift annuity agreements.
I'm wondering if GMs commitment to Minority Cuses extends to All minority groups. Such as Conservative fundamental reformed christians that read the King James Bible and sing hymns. You know, us old stick in the mud folks that have not gone Emergent or Circus driven. Us relics from another century that still believe Isaiah saw the angels saying "Holy Holy Holy" instead of "Fun Fun Fun". Cause, I think we are the fastest growing minority group in the country. If Gm covers us, then sign me uo for a car.
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wish we american people didn't have..."
