In the late 70s, my mom purchased a brand new Honda CVCC (similar to a civic, different model). My grandfather had fought in WWII in the Pacific, and had some nasty memories from that time. My mom said he was upset and a bit hurt that she would buy a Japanese machine.
He also worked in the auto industry, and was very heavily invested in American cars.
Back in the day, I can see how it could be seen as betraying your country or your neighbors. Import cars literally were foreign, your dollars were sent overseas for the purchase. During a time of economic crisis, and your neighbors who worked for the automakers would lose their jobs, it’s easy to understand their resentment. They felt anyone buying a Japanese car was contributing to the decline of their industry.
In the late 70s, my mom purchased a brand new Honda CVCC (similar to a civic, different model). My grandfather had fought in WWII in the Pacific, and had some nasty memories from that time. My mom said he was upset and a bit hurt that she would buy a Japanese machine.
He also worked in the auto industry, and was very heavily invested in American cars.
Back in the day, I can see how it could be seen as betraying your country or your neighbors. Import cars literally were foreign, your dollars were sent overseas for the purchase. During a time of economic crisis, and your neighbors who worked for the automakers would lose their jobs, it’s easy to understand their resentment. They felt anyone buying a Japanese car was contributing to the decline of their industry.