Why can't we get the same quality and cost vehicle in the US of A...?
you say 'think import tax and trade protectionism and taxes' actually it is the lack of this as well as our government (US, State, and local) giving incentives for foreign automakers to make cars here, the lack of unions driving up prices in the foreign car makers shops here, the US government not taxing foreign made parts, and assemblies on an equitable basis, the lack of retirees to support in the foreign auto plants that are located here, the relaxation of emissions standards for foreign cars made in the US for many years. I could go on, but I hope you get the picture.
The US auto industry could not compete on equal footing during the time this was going on (mainly the 70s and 80s) and is still at a disadvantage today. this is the reason they had to cut corners in the past and got a deserved reputation for making crap. they are doing much better today, but still have several disadvantages, the two biggest are the unions and the retirees they must support.
by the way the same basic thing happened to the US steel industry.
