In its infancy, the United States automobile industry was envied by the rest of the world. Cheap, quality automobiles and a finger on the pulse of the needs of consumers were what distinguished it from its competitors in the fledging automobile world. Unfortunately, however, that was not to last. One too many dull, low-quality gas guzzler sent the United States automobile industry into a tailspin that would prove difficult to recover from.

But although recovery did not come easy, enough years of low profits and international ridicule seem to have finally gotten across the point to most of the major players on the United States automobile scene. Without discarding the power and roar that American cars have become famous for, many United States automakers are adding the handsome exteriors, luxury interiors, and other relevant details that signify success in today’s automobile industry. Today, there is definitely more than one great reason to buy American cars. Here are a few of my favorites.

American Quality

According to trusted source Consumer Reports magazine, the quality of many American cars is now sufficient to rival even that of many Japanese and German makes. The most recent J. D. Power study on automobile dependability placed the General Motors Buick in a tie with Jaguar for first place, much to the surprise of fierce contenders Toyota and Lexus. Out of the 11 divisions of automobile dependability studied, General Motors placed in the top three of eight divisions. Most other United States automakers have also made huge leaps and bounds toward improving the quality of their recent models. Ford, for instance, is no longer synonymous with Fix Or Repair Daily, and an American car no longer means inferior quality.

American Style

Recent years have seen United States automakers managing to maintain the bossy American style that they are famous for while adding a level of class never before seen in muscular American cars. The Ford Mustang and the Dodge Charger both have classy looks that are uniquely American and unequivocally gorgeous. The Chevy Camaro and the Pontiac G8 are two other models that combine an American blueprint of power and grit with a subtle refinement that beautifully and gracefully rounds out both the exteriors and interiors of the vehicles.

American Savings

Even at raw pricing levels, American models are at least as cheap if not cheaper than similar foreign models. The Ford Fusion and the Chevy Malibu, for instance, have similar price tags as the foreign-made Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Ford Fusion, however, comes with a consumer rebate of as much as $3,500. The Chevy Malibu offers zero percent financing. Little details like these are what give the American automobile industry an edge over foreign competitors even in the pricing arena.

American Solidarity

If the quality, style, and savings sections above didn’t lay enough reasons on the table to buy American, consider that both Ford and General Motors have recently begun to offer payment protection plans to their customers. Under these plans, the car payments of customers that lose their jobs will continue to be made by Ford or General Motors for as long as nine to 12 months. In the current harsh economic climate, it is this kind of empathy with the plights of their customers that distinguishes the good automakers from the great ones, and American automakers are definitely some of the greats.