NAC! american cars? WAS wiper motor. . .

[RyanWeath at aol.com]

Digging up an old thread. . .but the lines will become even murkier between 
import/domestic as times goes on. . . think DaimlerChrysler?  Ok today there 
is some individuality between Mbz and the Mopar cars, but in a few years they 
will nodoubt be sharing platforms, drivetrains etc.

What about the badge enginered cars?  Like the VW Sharon van sold as a Ford 
Galaxy in Europe.

Or when production is outsourced?  Like Magna International (a CANADIAN 
company!!), located in Austria, that builds european market MBZ ML trucks & 
Jeep Grand Cherokees, the MBZ G-wagon and potentially the BMW X3.

Or the platform sharing such as that between Ford & Jag (LS cars, etc). .is 
it Is it a Jag or Detroit muscle??  I think it was EC Magazine that just had 
an article describing all the Ford parts that were in the new Aston Marton. . 
including a washertank emblazoned with the blue oval. . .(on a car that costs 
over 100k clams! no thanks. . .)

Here's another example, the new Mini.  "Produced" (for lack for a beter word) 
by BMW but manfactured in England, gasoline engines made by DamilerChrysler 
in Brazil w/ the diesel engines made by Toyota (just announced today)

Or the General Motors, yes GM, 5-speed slushboxes now used in some 7-series 
BMWs. . .

I guess it doesn't pay to be small and independent in this era of cutting 
costs. . .you are either owned by a big dog, or you have to colloborate with 
them.

-Ryan Weatherby
Chicago, IL
91 CQ