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« Last post by Bulldog9 on Today at 11:07:07 AM »
Seems to me that we are a largely 'enthusiast' community, and that influences our perceptions and priorities.
I've always bought what I liked, and what suited my wants needs and desired. I was a dedicated Yamaha Owner with few deviations from 1984-2015. XS1100, XS750, VMAX, FZ1, FJR, with a C10 Concours thrown in for the MC's I rode. I lamented the loss of an air cooled shaft drive Motorcycle. In 2015, I discovered Guzzi, and it clicked.
For me, the heritage of Guzzi, the mostly small niche, hand built low volume nature of the brand became part of the allure, but was a PLUS not the driver of my desire. That said, if Guzzi closed and some Chinese or India based company bought the license or name, I can say without question that those models would not make it to my garage. If Guzzi exported the bulk of their manufacturing to India or China or Indonesia, I'm not sure. That would have to depend on the actual model and how it functioned or felt. It would have SOME impact, and would cause me to pause but being honest, I don't know. Authenticity matters, but reality and principle has its limits.
It's the same with automobiles. Here in the US, there is a huge Toyota Truck Factory in Texas. They build virtually all of the Tundras there, and once Tacomas as well. As Tacoma demand increased, they built a factory in Mexico. Given a choice, I'd prefer to buy one made in Texas. Same is true for many GM products who shifted production to Canada rather than Detroit. Again, if given the choice, I'd lean towards a US manufactured Ford. Given a choice between a true Holden or it's Pontiac sibling, I'd take the Holden. BMW and Mercedes has plants here in the US. If given a choice, I'd buy a German made car over a US based manufacture. We could go on and on with examples. For me, it's complicated and absolutes are no longer possible for any mass produced motor vehicle.
Authenticity plays a large role for me, especially for my 'enthusiast' based purchases, but utility matters. Our Family Haulers (when we had kids) was always based on affordability and utility. We had Jeep SUV's Full Size SUV's, Full Size SUV's, and Minivans. At that time it was a balance of affordability utility and reliability.
Buy what you want, what you like, for whatever your reason. I bought my Tundra and caught huge pushback from all my big 3 truck owning buddies. Now, almost 8 years later, they are on their 2nd or 3rd truck, and mine looks, rides, runs better than theirs, and has been 100% perfect in every way. I also gleefully pointed out that in 2017, the Tundra was the most American Truck sold in the US. Designed in America for our Market, most major components made in America, and built largely by Americans. But THAT was not my goal and objective. At 55, I wanted a 20 year truck. One with rock solid reliability, ease and affordable maintenance, resale value, durability, capability, style AND entry price. The Tundra checked all those boxes, and was $20K cheaper than the GMC, Dodge and Ford trucks I was looking at. I've no regrets.
One final ramble. My kids range in age from 27-37..... A point of fatherly pride for me last year was my kids have become established enough that they were able to buy new cars in the last couple years. A BIG step after years of beaters and 'good enough' As a car guy, of course I talked them through all their choices, goals, budget, and goals long and short term. All ended up in Japanese Vehicles. A Honda Civic SI due to it's manual transmission, a non hybrid RAV 4 AWD, a Tacoma TRD, and a Hybrid AWD Sienna Mini Van. Something that cracked me up was being lectured and chastized by my kids when I sent them a list that included Hyundia and Kias...... LOL....
I think supporting your local community, your particular nations economy, and the heritage associated with them, but in the end, you have to make whatever decision is best for you, your needs, your finances and your conscience.
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