ModernRacer.com Getting Sued?

ModernRacer.com has been up for 3 years now, without incident. It started while I was attending Atlanta's top college, and it continues while currently being based outside America. Well, to quickly get down to the heart of the matter, I just got this email from a person called Rodrigo, a GM Opel employee:

Subject: Webmaster mail for ModernRacer.com
From: "Rodrigo XXXXX"
Date: Tue, November 16, 2004 10:16 am
To: webmaster.@.modern.racer.com
Cc: CONTACTO@vw.com.mx


I have a complain to this article:

http://www.modernracer.com/history/vwjettavr6200history.html

This article states that one of the cons that a VW Jetta has is that is "built in a plant in Mexico". It is just the same as saying the cons of a GM or a Ford vehicle are that they are assembled by "nigers!"

Anyway why is that a con? Don´t vehicles in Mexico are not well build? Have any of your reporters been in the plant in Puebla been? Is this some kind of doubt from VW's quality?

This kind of articles can only by cataloged as racist! I just do not understand how nowadays in year 2004 this thinks can still happen.

Señores en VW México, como mexicano, este tipo de artículos me ofenden y a ustedes también les debería de ofender. Yo trabajo en Opel en Alemania y pienso que la calidad de un vehículo es exactamente la misma independientemente de la planta en la que se ensamble. También deberían de emprender alguna acción contra esta publicación: "modernracer.com"

Saludos.

Rodrigo XXXXX
Consultor Técnico Opel España
Tel (34) XXXXXXXXXX
Fax. (49) XXXXXXXXXX
Email XXXXX@de.opel.com

I tried sending the following explanation to Rodrigo's email address (censored above by me for obvious reasons), but my mail conveniently bounces back thanks to the Opel server's overprotective email filter:

You have totally misinterpreted what that line was meant to convey. It has nothing to do with racism. It is the fact that VWs have traditionally been built in Germany, and is still being marketed as a premier "European" automobile. It is misleading by the manufacturer, and a lot of American VW owners have complained about not being informed CLEARLY about this.

Another reason is that American VW owners have complained about slipping quality, like electrical faults and interior panels falling off. Considering that European-built VWs are bestsellers in Europe due to their reliable nature, these faults may be stemming from poor quality control at Mexican plants. It is in no way racist. Korean cars are considered to be of a lower quality, but that does not mean that people have anything against the Korean people. The problem is more with the company than the people.

Finally, you can see that the actual line in the "con" is "A VW built in Mexico," which is just pointing out the first point that the car should not be marketed as "European" any more, even with the globalization of most car manufacturers. That would be like calling the South American Fiats "Italian" even thought those models are not sold in Italy.

Thanks for your understanding and I hope this clears up matters. I am not white and am familiar with racism myself. A case of "racism" against me would not hold up in court given my ethnic background and the vagueness of the article statement.

Ok, as the editor of this website, I have been called a biased, Mustang-hating, WRX-dissing, Civic-driving, punk-assed, pimply-faced wannabe racer, but being called a racist is a new one. Considering that I am not white, and have had great college room-mates who have included white guys, an African-American from New York, a Korean, a Thai, a Muslim Indian and an Opel-driving Brazilian dude, I don't think I have heard the "R" word before. This is political-correctness gone too far.

The Spanish part of Rodrigo's email is urging VW to take legal action against me. Now before I'm branded a "Type-R" and hauled to court by VW Mexico, I wanted to find out if any of you out there think "they" might have a case against me. Though I have nothing against the Jetta, an American VW is damn well built in Mexico, and that's a fact. It was interesting to find out views of ModernRacer.com readers on this meaningless issue. Note that I am NOT seeking legal counsel, since I have not received any response from Volkswagen, but if I do get a legal notice from VW, I will just remove all references to Mexico as a "bad" thing, rewrite the website disclaimer and just give negatively-biased reviews to VWs from then on. I appreciate the feedback I got on this from you all.

Regards,

Mashfique H. C.
Editor
ModernRacer.com

Thanks to everyone who sent in comments with a show of support. I have not received even one negative comment as of yet:

I never saw the car being made in Mexico as being a bad thing either. But if it wasn't for your site pointing out this fact I'd have still have been lead to believe that the Jetta VR6 was made in Germany. It's not a huge issue to me, but it's nice to know the roots of the vehicles we drive since the manufacturers clearly don't devulge this info as openly. -- Darren M.

I think that guy was way out of proportion. He is probably a VW lover and got pissed thinking you were dissing on VW's.. anyway, keep up the good work on the site, i'm a regular visitor as of 2 months ago. -- Tosh B.

This is stupid, not only is this one of the best new car performance sites out there, it's a well updated webpage. Mexican made vehicle's shouldn't be taken as an insult by these people, they just have nothing better do to on their hands. -- Ryan

I found Mr. Rodrigo's letter very funny. You are not a racist. And even if you where a racist, the views expressed on the internet can not be used as grounds for a lawsuit. No matter what country you are currently biased in. -- "Vexation"

I can't see them making a case from that one comment, but if they did there's no way that could win. (1) There's a perfectly clear explanation for why "built in Mexico" is stated as a con (2) Good old freedom of speech. But if all else fails just find some law firm to open a class action lawsuit on VW under misleading information. However, I hope it doesn't come to that. -- William

...I find the point its made in mexico not even a possibility of racism, first off racism is based on ethnicity, not nationality, atleast in most cases. Not only that, but your statement refers to the fact mexico has a less educated and less experience work force, not to mention less government and industry imposed regulations on working conditions and/or quality control. I doubt VW would seek legal action, if for any other reason then the mass resignation of their legal team. -- Krys A.

People constantly rag on the GTO for coming from "the land down under". Has any one seen the HSV Coupe 4 or the "I thought it was long dead" 2003/2004 Ford Falcon? But anyway, if the cars coming from the Mexico plant(s) is/are having higher defect rates..then if the shoe fits. -- Vern

I don't see any thing wrong. Can't be any worse than the Home Grown Import title certain originaly Japanese cars now wear. I don't think it's european if it don't wear the made in europe sticker. There are a lot of car buyers out there that DO care about the automobile's point of origin, lineage, and reputation. -- Monsoppy S.

...This one person simply cannot hold the majority of viewer's interests in mind, and this whole thing truly must be a misunderstanding by taking something way out of context and irrationally manipulating it into something unrecognizable to its true, original intent. -- John N.

I doubt vw will press any charges and if they do you have your the first bill of rights on your side: freedom of speech. And you have a disclaimer clearly stating that no one should base any decisions from info from your site. -- Brian

You are doing a great job on this site, keep up the good work, regardless of what one person who misinterpreted you might otherwise think. -- Mohammed

...Just want to say that your website is great and it is an opinion your expressing and that's what he needs to understand. -- Jesse

...I go to your site almost daily and an idiot takes this the wrong way. It sounds like he needs a little money and is trying to find stupid ways to get it. -- Sean

...I agree with you, just someone says it's built in Mexico doesn't mean he's automatically racist. He shouldn't even be blatantly calling others racists. Even if they tried to take you to court, I also agree that they wouldn't be able to have a case at all. I hope nothing bad happens ModernRacer.com I really love this place. -- Richard

Just wanted to say that I wouldnt of handled this nearly as well as you. Also, I love your website and always check here for reliable information. I love the reviews you give, especially that you say negative comments about the cars you are reviewing. Great to hear the truths. Hope you keep doing what your doing! -- Aaron

I agree very much. How is that racist? You were pointing out that the Jetta is built in Mexico. Yes, I understand that the car is German. It is assembled in Mexico. I just hope the Audi A3 isn't assembled in Mexico. Oh no I'm a racist. I said Mexico. -- Colin