The 2012 Chrysler 300. Image: Chrysler Group LLC
The Made in the USA Foundation was created in 1989 to promote American-manufactured products, and Ford was one of the companies that provided initial funding to the group. That hasn’t stopped the Made in the USA Foundation from calling out both Ford and Chrysler, charging both companies with false advertising in complaints filed with the FTC.
Ford claims in radio spots that the mid-size Fusion is an American car, yet it’s built in Mexico with Mexican labor. That will partially change in the near future, as Ford moves some of its Fusion production to Flat Rock, Michigan, where the car will be built alongside the Mustang. The bulk of Ford Fusion product will still come out of Ford’s plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, which should preclude Ford from waving the flag behind this particular model.
It gets worse for Chrysler. As both Automotive News (subscription required) and Left Lane News point out, the “Imported From Detroit” Chrysler 300 is built in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, and uses an engine built in Mexico. That may be good enough for NAFTA, but it hardly qualifies the car as an American-made product.
Ford hasn’t commented on the complaint and Chrysler says it’s without merit. Per Michael Palese, Chrysler’s manager of legal communications, “Chrysler Group will continue to pursue all avenues to protect our “Imported From Detroit.”
Made in the USA Foundation also charges both automakers with removing the country of origin label from car windows at auto shows. This information can be found on the window sticker, which automakers often remove from vehicles displayed at car shows to prompt dialogue with in-booth personnel.
As Chrysler’s Palese points out, there’s nothing illegal about this. The American Automobile Labeling Act requires country of origin information to be displayed on vehicles distributed for sale, and not on those shown at auto shows.
The bottom line? If you really want to buy an American-made product, do your homework before you sign on the dotted line.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
