I sent the following comment/rant to Wired Magazine’s editor:

The Wired Magazine article Are you sure you’re buying American? (Feb
2005, pg. 42) delivers the not so shocking news that domestic vehicles’ parts
may be coming from various countries other than the United States.

“Take the Saturn Vue: Some 30 percent [*] of its components come from
10 foreign nations on three continents. In fact, some ‘domestic’
cars are merely assembled in the States”

The infographic, the only well done work on the page if albeit inaccurate or
incomplete, is well done. Commendation stops here.

I guarantee you the Saturn Vue is made with more than “30 percent”
imported parts. Is 50 percent too high? No, that conservative. I don’t
have a problem with the truth, but trying to feed the readers of Wired phony
statistics is a slap in the face.

Ever had to replace parts on your car? Almost all of the original equipment
manufacturer parts out there are imported. They don’t fly the globe for
kicks either.

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to step out to go pick up my
Ford Taurus [#]. After all it is 95 percent American.

P.S. I don’t think there is such a vehicle called the “Plymouth
Crossfire” but I’ve heard of a Chrysler Crossfire. I’m not
sure if they’re related, though.