ragtop, I guess what I was trying to say is that I perceive few consumers viewing economic decisions through patriotic glasses. When someone is trying to decide between a Honda and a Ford, the fact that one company pays more or less for medical insurance than another doesn't really factor into their decision. If you are saying it should, I think that might be unrealistic to expect of a car buyer. It goes back to what I said about economic decisions being made in an individuals self-interest. Few consumers are concerned about level playing fields. And any advertisements by the Big Three in which they whined about Japanese import restrictions would be laughed at by the consumer. I work pretty hard for my money, and when it comes time to spend it, I don't have the financial latitude to factor in social, political, or even patriotic stuff into that decision. Maybe our differences are you feeling purchases should be patriotic rather than economic choices. That may sell US flags, but I doubt it will sell autos.
The other thing people seem to not understand is the reason companies exist in the first place. Companies aren't in business to further social causes. Nor are they in business to further American national interests, such as perserverance of American jobs. They are in business to make money. As an example, there are a ton of illegal immigrants in my town. The local branch of Bank of America caters to those demographics- everything in the bank is in two languages. They facilitate transfers of money to Mexico. Of course, drivers licenses aren't required to cash checks or do transactions, because the illegals don't have them. When I go in the bank, I could easily be in some foreign country. All the tellers are required to be bilingual. If Bank of America can make just as much money servicing illegals as citizens, rest assured they will. They are in business to make as much money as they can, from whoever they can make it from. In fact, B of A would not really care if all their customers were drug runners and gun smugglers.
Chrysler assembles its trucks in Mexico and buys parts from other countries for the same reason B of A serves immigrants. It makes economic sense to do so.