shopping for **Made in America** Christmas gifts, as seen on ABC News

[MichiganKris]

Here is some information on Automotive Companies US employees, numbers include factory and office and are approximate for 2010.

GM: 68,500
Ford: 54,000
Toyota: 12,000

I couldn't find any good numbers for Chrysler or Honda.

 

[suzysharp]

This is an awesome thread! We've been striving for made in America for years. I do also support other first world countries when there is no american alternative or its a specialty from there (ie Pannatone from Italy etc)

Also someone mentioned dishes, almost all Lenox is made in the USA. We registered for our china from them partially b/c of that!

 

[mrodgers]

Here is some information on Automotive Companies US employees, numbers include factory and office and are approximate for 2010.

GM: 68,500
Ford: 54,000
Toyota: 12,000

I couldn't find any good numbers for Chrysler or Honda.

With automotive, it goes beyond those working the assembly lines. For a few cars the auto manufacturers are a direct customer where I work, but mostly we are a 2nd tier supplier. We supply about 80% of the auto industry with our product. So with being a 2nd tier supplier, I am employed, our customer who builds the assembly is employed, and the final GM assembly guy is employed because you bought a GM, Ford, Honda, Toyota, or Mazda.

 

[Mickeypooh99]

With automotive, it goes beyond those working the assembly lines. For a few cars the auto manufacturers are a direct customer where I work, but mostly we are a 2nd tier supplier. We supply about 80% of the auto industry with our product. So with being a 2nd tier supplier, I am employed, our customer who builds the assembly is employed, and the final GM assembly guy is employed because you bought a GM, Ford, Honda, Toyota, or Mazda.

This is the same for the company my DH works at. A lot of their parts end up in GM cars.

 

[eliza61]

Well thanks for bursting my bubble. Guess I'll have to look a little harder from now on.


So what's every one's take on products from other 1st world nations, like England, France, Germany, where there's no slave labor or sweatshops? Like standards of living are met with the products sold.

At Disney a while back, they used to sell olive wood bowls and spoons from Greece. It was specially harvested to not destroy the tree, only take a small portion. I always wanted them, but a very steep price tag. I know there's a few olive groves nearby in California, but it's one of the few species that need the perefect climate most of America doesn't have.

So I can only speak about France and Portugal. those are the 2 nations Ihave spent some time in (my in laws are from Lisbon).

While we may hate the French and dismiss the Portugese one virtue that I admire about them is they have a fierce national loyality. Here in America we have a walmart mentality (I apologize for that term, I know some dont like it). Often a product can be a piece of junk and as long as it is cheap we will buy it. Not so in French and Portugal. They will most often always buy the local product over the import. no matter the cost. Now of course there are exceptions but on a day to day basis, say buying food and clothing for your kids, Portugese tend to buy stuff made in Portugal.

Now france because of Paris and the whole capital of fashion thing, will have a lot of designer fashion, many made in Italy and Germany but they have a good textile industry and while you do have the name brand imports, it's not hard to find a french t-shirt made in france. especially if you get away from the tourist traps. sneakers (nike etc) are imported but once again you haveno problem finding country specific items.

 

[disneyofcourse]

Well thanks for bursting my bubble. Guess I'll have to look a little harder from now on.


So what's every one's take on products from other 1st world nations, like England, France, Germany, where there's no slave labor or sweatshops? Like standards of living are met with the products sold.

At Disney a while back, they used to sell olive wood bowls and spoons from Greece. It was specially harvested to not destroy the tree, only take a small portion. I always wanted them, but a very steep price tag. I know there's a few olive groves nearby in California, but it's one of the few species that need the perefect climate most of America doesn't have.

I buy products made in Europe and have no issue with supporting them. They make some great high quality products that last forever. (Clothing, blankets, pottery.)

 

[mafibisha]

So I can only speak about France and Portugal. those are the 2 nations Ihave spent some time in (my in laws are from Lisbon).

While we may hate the French and dismiss the Portugese one virtue that I admire about them is they have a fierce national loyality. Here in America we have a walmart mentality (I apologize for that term, I know some dont like it). Often a product can be a piece of junk and as long as it is cheap we will buy it. Not so in French and Portugal. They will most often always buy the local product over the import. no matter the cost. Now of course there are exceptions but on a day to day basis, say buying food and clothing for your kids, Portugese tend to buy stuff made in Portugal.[/B]
Now france because of Paris and the whole capital of fashion thing, will have a lot of designer fashion, many made in Italy and Germany but they have a good textile industry and while you do have the name brand imports, it's not hard to find a french t-shirt made in france. especially if you get away from the tourist traps. sneakers (nike etc) are imported but once again you haveno problem finding country specific items.

I love this. Was America ever that loyal back in the day? I would hope we would rally as a country and become more like that. It wouldn't be easy, at least at this point, but its definitely worth the effort. What a HUGE difference it would make.

 

[mafibisha]

American Apparel just moved into our town and 2 of my kids are thrilled! As are nieces and nephews! One of them said its like the Gap, only better, and made in America

Check it out -

http://www.americanapparel.com/

 

[disneyofcourse]

Wanted to add to check your Christmas cards! Buy cards made in the US instead of china. The best thing is that there's almost no price difference. So its something small that anyone can do.

 

[mafibisha]

Wanted to add to check your Christmas cards! Buy cards made in the US instead of china. The best thing is that there's almost no price difference. So its something small that anyone can do.

Great idea. I personally haven't gotten to that point yet (doing cards ) but will definitely buy American.

In fact, *American Greetings* makes great cards and are available everywhere.

 

[DoomBuggy0922]

American Apparel just moved into our town and 2 of my kids are thrilled! As are nieces and nephews! One of them said its like the Gap, only better, and made in America

Check it out -

http://www.americanapparel.com/

They're not exactly known for their wonderful business practices though...

For example, this article: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_26/b3939108_mz017.htm

 

[mafibisha]

Has anyone heard an update from ABC News? I haven't been able to catch the news for awhile now.

Any updates from anyone here about your own shopping finds?

I also wanted to add this . . .

Orange Juice! Just heard some of the major brands are *SAID TO INCLUDE* oranges from other countries??

Florida's Best and Florida's Natural are *SAID TO BE* from all Florida (USA!!) oranges, so that's what I'm getting next time. (I hope its true!) It'll probably be more expensive but IMHO, worth it.

 

[superme80]

Good to know. I will look into that next time I am at the grocery store.
This Christmas I shopped loca for a few presents and received a few presents from local store. I don't think I created any new jobs, but I am sure I helped keep a few people employed longer.