>>>>>>>So they called it 'voluntary export restraint' instead. Whilst it was in force it surely gave non-U.S. based manufacturers a big incentive to being production in the U.S. ?
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Could you produce any proof, or even mention, of 'voluntary export restraint' exercised by Germany or Korea in regard to exports to USA?
>>>>>
>>>>>My original reply was specific to Japanese manufacturers (as was the post I replied to). Don't know about Germany (but I imagine their production costs in the U.S. are no higher that their costs in Europe so that's incentive enough). It looks as if Korea already pays an import tarriff:
>>>>>http://www.aiaglobal.org/OurOrganization/LatestNews/USKoreaFreeTradeAgreementWouldBenefitImportAftermarket.aspx
>>>>>Snip:
>>>>>If passed by Congress, the U.S. would immediately eliminate 2.5 percent tariffs on South Korean-made smaller vehicles (engine sizes of 3,000 cc or less), as well as tariffs on all South Korean auto parts (currently averaging 2.5 percent). Within three years of entry into force of the agreement, the U.S. will eliminate tariffs on cars with larger engines and the 25 percent U.S. tariff on light trucks will be phased out over 10 years. Under the agreement, South Korean vehicle and parts exports to the U.S. would gain significant advantages over Japanese and European nameplate imports.
>>>>>
>>>>>25% on larger cars & light trucks !
>>>>
>>>>Yeah, 'cuz the Japanese did those ever so much better the US auto makers did when they first started coming over. IIRC, Datsun (now Nissan) was one of the first to introduce the baby truck to the US
>>>
>>>I think the Japanese do them all better - but the U.S. car industry doesn't have anything to compete with the smaller cars so they don't lose sales there......
>>
>>We still make the Corvette. The Japanese sure don't do that better. (And neither does anyone else in remotely the same price class).
>
>Sorry, but in my opinion the Corvette ain't that much to brag about. Lots of cars can go fast in a straight line.

Heretic! ;-)

I had two of them in my younger days and don't seem to remember always driving them in a straight line. Would love to have another one but it would be a cliche at my age now, unfortunately.

Ain't that much to brag about.... (shaking head)