When asked, nearly everyone wants their performance parts to be manufactured in the United States of America. Better quality, keeping jobs in the States, supporting USA manufacturers, a matter of pride and many other reasons. It sounds great on paper and in online polls. But remember, out of all of those surveys that people claim USA Made is important are being clicked through on a mouse, connected to a computer and read from a monitor – none of which are made in the USA.

So, what is your Made in the USA price?

Just like most of our cars, everyone has a price. “How much would it take to buy that car from you?” the observer asks.

“Not for sale,” you say.

“Sure it is son. Everything has a price, now how much you want for that car?”

What is your Made In The USA price?

Be honest. We’re all hot rod hypocrites to an extent when it comes down to it. Are you willing to pay the $300 for a new distributor that was developed, engineered and manufactured in the USA by a name brand company? Or, would you rather pay $150 for a white-box distributor that looks exactly like the big brand model and be able to buy some other goodies with the left over dollars? Is it price only or is there more to it than just the dollar?

Everyone has their price.

To make you feel better about naming your price, I’ll offer up my own buy-out example. On my favorite car, I selected gauges from one of the best names in the business. I feel good knowing that the information I gleam from each glance about my engine’s operation is being monitored by a quality product that has been around for years and will be there when I have a question. Conversely, my threshold peaked when I needed gauges for a budget beater. I didn’t stoop down to the three pack of gauges on the back rack at Auto Boys, but I did choose the off-shore brand from the top gauge company. I figure that they spec’d the gauges and will have some support down the road if I need it whereas who knows where the real low buck stuff came from or is supported.

But that’s electronics. They don’t seem quite as easy to R&D (Research and Duplicate) as hard parts. What about non-tech components such as a muffler? (Before the exhaust companies start writing, I’m not knocking the technology behind your products. I simply mean that once it’s on a car, there’s not much chance of there being an issue or a call about connecting it. There’s an in, there’s an out.) I overheard a conversation at a cruise night where a young man that is very pro ‘Made in the USA’ was telling another guy about some knock off mufflers that sounded just like the original USA manufacture’s parts but were half of the price. His USA Made buy-out was considerably low.

One area that stateside manufactures have going for them is that enthusiasts have pride in their vehicle. Top brands and products carry an emotional tie. Guys want name brand parts on their pride and joy (to an extent). It shows they use the best, or that they use the same parts they see on professional race cars. It feels good knowing you’re putting parts on your car that are top of the line and you get to let your peers know it. A company can’t rest their laurels on this emotional tie, but it’s something.

Feeling down? You can lift your spirits by saying there is simply no alternative to going offshore for many household needs. Remember, not one cell phone, out of the billions sold each year, is manufactured in the States. Not one. Nada. Zip.

Go ahead, call a friend to discuss your price.