The world is changing fast, with the global economy becoming more complex every day. Along with that change, many old truths about the manufacturing of products are now becoming misconceptions. The auto industry is no exception. Shifts in the manufacturing sector are reigniting the old debate about the relative value of foreign and domestic cars.
It used to be much simpler. Foreign cars were more expensive to repair because their replacement parts had to be shipped in from all over the world. On the other hand, domestic cars gained a reputation for being less reliable, and so more expensive to maintain over the full life of a car. In recent years, the production of cars has become increasingly muddled. Some foreign companies have set up plants right here in the United States, while the traditional domestic automakers have outsourced certain operations overseas. The result is a blurred line between what even constitutes a foreign car anymore.
Even so, foreign companies do still tend to use more proprietary parts that need to be specially ordered. It also remains true that Japanese makes like Honda and Toyota are widely believed to be more dependable vehicles, even as domestic brands work to close the gap. In reality, most cars, domestic or foreign, will last much longer than they used to. The foreign vs. domestic distinction is fading, and every car seems to have its own set of specific circumstances.
This is good news for drivers of all types of cars, even if they need to put a little more research into how much money they should expect to spend on their particular car’s maintenance. After all, many of the costs associated with owning a car are hidden. A car that requires more expensive parts to repair will cost more to insure, and might be more difficult to sell in the future.
No matter what type of car you drive, the professionals at AV Bumper to Bumper know how to provide quality, honest service. Contact us to set up a tune-up or repair today.
Post by Ed Fawcett Jr
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