tex2670

Why? If Coke, Pepsi and other soft drink companies can subcontract out to independent bottling companies to produce their drinks per a specific recipe, and have it taste the same, why can't a car manufacturer replicate what it does from one of its factories to another, where it controls everything?

LexBob2

Exactly. I believe BMW uses the Spartanburg, SC plant for most if not all of their CUV and SUV (with the exception of the X1) production for worldwide distribution. So if you live in Germany and want an X3, X5 etc. it came from the U.S.

I can see some people being hesitant, but the times are changing.

Sulu

Jil drives an American-made Japanese car (Toyota Corolla) so trying to understand her resistance against American-made BMW seems a bit strange.

Toys4RJill

Toys4RJill

Johnhav430

In theory, you are correct, but we all have our preferences....for example, when MANN moved filter production from Germany to Mexico, I said no can do. Rational? Maybe not, but preference. I switched to Hengst and Mahle, which are made in Germany and Austria. If the cost of the MANN filter went down by 60%, maybe I would have considered it, but there was no change.

People felt this way when Nissan OE filters went to China, from Japan. For the Lexus and my wife's car I use WIX XP filters, made in USA. I feel comfortable with them. If I saw Mexico, I think I'd still feel ok, since WIX is a USA co.

I like that most of the Lexus parts I have purchased, say made in Japan. Can they make them in China? Mexico? Philippines? To their specs? Sure, but I prefer Japan...

I thought that your question would be tested soon, with the next BMW 3 series. Snap On tools also has tested the waters, by removing U.S.A. from the tools was it in 2015? It was a total disaster...

Mike728

That's what InBev thought when they purchased Anheuser Busch. Moving US production of Beck's Beer to St. Louis did not go unnoticed. It tastes nothing like it did before the move. Not even close. It now sells about half of what it did prior to the move. It used to be the number one imported beer in the US!

That said, I don't think moving production of vehicles from one part of the world to the US would be as impactful. It's much easier reproducing something mechanical vs something that is a sensory experience.

mmarshall

This idea that Japanese plants can produce the same car better than American plants do is often nonsense. Some of the best Hondas and Toyotas in history have come from the Georgetown, KY and Marysville, OH plants....as good as anything built in Japan.

Toys4RJill

Toys4RJill

Johnhav430

I remember as a young man, I heard the 986 Porsche was made primarily in Uusikaupunki, to the tune of 75% meaning 3/4. So that those in the used market would go out of their way to find one produced in Stuttgart, the vast minority. Were they the same quality? I just think when it's one's own hard earned money, one is free to spend it as they choose and have our own preferences. Right now, we have 2 cars made in Japan, one in Oppama, one at Tahara, 1 in Regensburg, and 1 in Michigan. I'm going to say the last of the bunch had some serious problems and was the most expensive vehicle of the 4. It got me to write a letter to Akerson to see what could be done to resolve the problems. He's long gone so I know he could care less, yet his office never had the decency to respond--so I will never purchase a vehicle from that co. again, no matter where it's made.

edit But I'll still look at them online for **** and giggles. And Snap On tools? No USA on the tool, no buy. Period. It really depends on the product we're talking about, as to where I would prefer it's produced.

rogerh00

Thank you! I was hoping this thread could stay on track and comment on the Cadillac XT5, there are plenty of other threads to discuss where you bimmer or Toyota is built.

I only revived this old thread because I did a google search for XT5's and this popped up. So I answered M Marshall's last question.

rogerh00

I have the luxury version, which is one step up from the basic model which has nothing. I wanted the blind spot monitor, memory seats and other new electronic goodies.

rogerh00

Unfortunately my XT5 still has the quirky volume slide control that is hard to avoid when using the touch screen

JDR76

Congrats! I think the XT5 is a great overall package. All cars have their perks and quirks. You should share some pics.