Did you know?

Did you know that DaimlerChrysler, Ford, and General Motors "spent over $12 billion to provide health care to 2 million Americans in 2005?" (Detroit News, Detroit Free Press). That's a lot of health care. That's a lot of people that are healthy now, thanks to the American auto manufacturers.

And despite what recent commercials from certain imports would have you believe, Japanese manufacturers just don't measure up. All other automakers combined spent only $1.6 billion on health care in the U.S. (Same source)

Oh and Toyota? You're NOT American.

Did you know?

Did you know:

Toyota had the second-highest number of recalls last year, but it also dominates consumer satisfaction polls by J.D. Power, report Joann Muller and Jonathan Fahey in Forbes (7/3/06). Only Ford, with 11.7 percent of its vehicles recalled in 2005, exceeds Toyota, which recalled 10.1 percent, followed by GM at 6.8 percent, Honda at 4.0 percent and Chrysler at 2.5 percent. During May 2006 alone, Toyota recalled “one million vehicles worldwide.”--http://reveries.com

50% more recalls per car than GM? Over four times as many recalls per car as Chrysler? I have a feeling that this relates directly to yesterday's "Did you know" installment. American manufacturers are spending more to make better cars. That's good news for you, for us, and for America.

Did you know?

Did you know that the US Automotive sector spends more on Research and Development than any other sector? Just the "big three" alone (DaimlerChrysler, General Motors, and Ford)spend over $21 billion each year.


That beats out pharmaceuticals ($15.9 billion), computer software ($15.1 billion), semiconductors and electronics (12.6 billion), and even aerospace products and parts ($8.2 billion)!


Next time you turn the key in your car's ignition, just imagine how much time, effort and money went into making sure that vehicle is the best it could be!

Source: Wards Automotive Facts and Figures 2005, National Science Foundation