A Message from Frank Laskaris,
President and Founder of Cadillac of Naperville

”It’s a free country.” How many times have you heard that, and said it yourself? We are so fortunate to live in America, where this is true. Yet these past few years since September 11, 2001, the world has changed, and many things we took for granted are now threatened. There are so many issues, so many elements to consider, that for some of us it feels overwhelming and we don’t know what we, as individuals, can do.

I love America, I love my business and I love the American made Cadillac. You don’t even have to guess that my opinions are colored by these feelings. I’m proud to admit it. With that in mind, let me share some thoughts with you and perhaps it will give you an idea of what you as an individual can do for yourself, as well as for this great country of ours.

We all know you are free to buy any vehicle you want, domestic or imported, as it should be. Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision. All I’m asking is for you to make an informed decision when choosing between domestic or foreign. For example, know that the auto industry produces one in every twelve jobs in the USA. When you buy an American-made car, you support not only American workers, but also American investors, owners and stockholders. Each auto assembly job in an American-owned company creates 6.9 other jobs for Americans. Compare the domestic vehicle made in America with the American built import – domestic generates 3 times the tax revenue. This is simply because American automobile companies get more of their parts from other American companies.

Business Week, in a 2002 issue, details how GM provides income to assembly workers to the tune of $8.7 billion a year, and either directly or indirectly supports the employment of 900,000 Americans. With the recent headlines about GM downsizing, 25,000 GM workers’ jobs are threatened. One can only imagine the effect on the stability of our national economy this will have if the erosion continues. The erosion of American manufacturing and jobs will eventually affect the economy and well-being of every American.
A Toyota manufacturing plant in Georgetown, KY was built to assemble the Camry. It was built with Japanese steel by a Japanese steel company. Toyota was given 1,500 acres of free land. To attract this company a “special trade zone” was granted so they could import parts duty-free from Japan. Financing was handled by the Mitsui Bank of Japan. Total federal, state and local tax incentives reached $100 million – courtesy of your tax dollars and mine. Today’s Camry has a 55% domestic parts content, down from 75% a few years ago. American alternatives like the Chevy Impala have a 98% domestic parts content.

- General Motors pays more taxes - Employs more workers - Has more domestic plants - Supports more families, retirees and their dependents - Supports other related domestic industries more than any of the foreign competition - American quality is on the rise -Safety features rate better than the imports - Fuel efficiency has increased - GM contributes millions of dollars every year to charities and sponsorships in the USA ($64.9 Million in 2003) - GM profits stay in American - Profits from foreign owned auto manufacturers go back to their home countries.

Some additional facts you may not know: Cadillac outsells Mercedes Benz in the USA - The Chevrolet Impala beats the Toyota Camry in initial quality - Buick beats BMW in reliability - J.D. Power and Associates has rated General Motors manufacturing plants as the “Tops in Quality” for the past two years. Cadillacs are built in these top rated plants - J.D. Power and Associates has Cadillacs rating at the top for Entry Luxury Car (the CTS), Mid-Size Luxury Car (the DeVille); Premium Luxury Car (the XLR) and Premium Luxury SUV (the Escalade) (note: SRX was a new vehicle and was not part of the survey.)

My hope for this article is that people take time to research and compare the true difference between domestic American made versus Import vehicles and the effect they have on the economy. We owe it to ourselves and this great country we live in to investigate American made products available in the marketplace today.
Remember, freedom isn’t free, but supporting America and Americans in your next purchase could be the easiest way you’ve ever given to your country. If you’re anything like me, when you get to know the Cadillac, you’ll just fall in love.