The Cars that made America

This video is a “must see”.  We are currently attempting to restore US industry and we can learn from our history how this works. Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and produced the mass-produced Model T in 1908 and sold it for $390. The Model T dominated the auto industry until 1927. 15 million Model T Fords were sold. The US system of paved roads and highways was installed. Suburban living began. In 1927, Ford introduced the Model A with more horsepower and more style.

This video also covers how General Motors and Chrysler sold “style” and innovation to catch up with Ford. As the middle-class formed, Americans began to choose “style”.

In 1929, the great depression ushered in violent labor union strikes as automobile sales were cut in half. The auto makers continued to develop in style and performance. In 1938, auto makers were asked to manufacture military equipment and in 1941, the auto makers were overwhelmed.

In 1949, the automakers were ready and introduced the “modern car”.  Gasoline was cheap and cars got bigger and faster through the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, but gasoline prices were rising and in the 1970s, foreign cars started to appear in the US.

In 1956, the US government created the Interstate Highway system at a cost of $100 billion. This improved commercial truck and automobile traffic from coast to coast. The government began to dictate safety and environmental standards for auto maker compliance.

In 1965, the Pontiac GTO was introduced as the first “muscle car”.  In 1966, Ford responded with the Mustang and Chevy responded with the Camaro.

US Gasoline prices had moved from 20 cents per gallon in the 1950s and 1960s to 36 cents per gallon in 1970 and to 55 cents per gallon in 1974.  More fuel-efficient, better made Japanese and German cars were taking over the US auto market.

http://www.history.com/shows/the-cars-that-made-america

Comments

The stock market crash of 1929 was similar to the 2008 Meltdown in that it resulted in layoffs, but the 2008 depression was exasperated by excessive immigration that began in 1989 and the off-shoring of manufacturing beginning in 1993.  The unions lost all credibility and the Socialists took over the Democrat Party and were left with their allies in the media, government employees and the universities.

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader