While Canadians are hopping mad over the inequitable price of cars in their home state compared to the U.S., people in Afghanistan are happy to pick up our northern neighbor's leftovers. Apparently, the first cars to arrive in Afghanistan after the fall of the Taliban were from Canada, so now Volkswagens, Fords and Toyotas are all considered Canadian cars to the Afghan residents of Kabul. These Canadian automotive exports are so famous in the former Taliban stronghold that driving a "Canadian" Honda Accord or Ford Taurus is a status symbol. Canada isn't exporting its high-priced new cars to the front lines of the war on terror, but rather its not-so-gently-used vehicles that have been in an accident or sat on the dealer lot too long.
We wonder if the Afghans will give Canada credit for starting Rock & Roll and inventing the Salad Shooter next. Besides the many vehicles Canada knowingly ships to the Middle-East, the land of the Maple Leaf also loses 30,000 vehicles every year to thieves that swipe the cars and ship them overseas, many of which are sold in Afghanistan to up-and-coming status seekers. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!
[Source: The Chronicle Herald]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
tim @ Mar 11th 2008 8:45AM
Here I thought all we sent to Afghanistan was soldiers and Tim Horton's(http://goodcarbadcar.blogspot.com/2008/02/tim-hortons-toyota-matrix.html) coffee and donuts!
Craig @ Mar 11th 2008 8:52AM
I'm drinking Tim Horton's right now... I didn't win anything dammit.
It's weird to see something I read in the local paper this morning on AutoBlog.
Personally I think it's because us Canadians are friendlier people, and are friendlier to our cars too. haha
psarhjinian @ Mar 11th 2008 10:18AM
You know, you could probably be more effective in combatting terrorism by ensuring people are happy, prosperous and well-fed. Happy people don't blow themselves (or others) up as desperate people.
I think, if I had a say in this, I'd buy every adult Afghan a modest house, decent car and arrange for decent employment and healthcare. A Tim Hortons on every second corner couldn't hurt, either.
Probably cheaper than keeping soldiers there, too.
Rich @ Mar 11th 2008 12:36PM
i, too, want communism there.
Kunikos @ Mar 11th 2008 1:21PM
Hey, if the Russians had won the Afghan war of the 70's OR if we had properly funded the reconstruction efforts after that war then the area wouldn't have given rise to extremists in the first place (like Osama bin Laden, hero of the Afghan-Russian war).
psarhjinian @ Mar 11th 2008 9:23PM
Communism beats tribalism, anarchy and militant theocracy eight days a week.
Tagg @ Mar 11th 2008 10:43AM
It doesn't matter what you give to some of those people, there will always be one that hates and if there is one then there is more. Buying them stuff in an effort to appease them is assinine because they will then want something else and when they don't get it they will want to decapate those who refuse to give in. If you bought them a house the would want a bigger one later of something else.
Its a cultural issue that cannot be changed by giving them stuff because one day the well will run dry and there will be hell to pay. Even if you did buy them a house what happens when it burns down or a window breaks? It would be Americas fault and soon they would get pissed again and we're back at square one.
Why not just give them billions and beg them not to blow us up? That would be easy too.
Oliver @ Mar 11th 2008 11:00AM
Tagg, dear friend, you are aware that no Afghan was involved in the terrorist attacks of 9/11.
Perhaps an Afghan blew you up someplace else.
Tread Lightly,
Oliver
Tagg @ Mar 11th 2008 2:45PM
I am very aware "friend" that they were not DIRECTLY involved but the region was ripe with jihad sentiment, thats how 9/11 was formed.
So open your eyes and to reality.
3cubed minus 3squared plus1 @ Mar 11th 2008 11:06AM
We couldn't buy them houses and cars just for the fact that people would complain how they are treating complete strangers better than Americans who live on the streets with no food or house. Maybe we should buy them houses and set them up with a decent job first.
Dinger @ Mar 11th 2008 12:05PM
Craig,
You maybe a very friendly person yourself but my personal experience has taught me that a lot of Canadians love to pat themselves on the back for being so darn nice while treating Americans like dirt.
Besides Canada I have traveled to Mexico, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland, France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Japan, India, Peru, Egypt and Morocco. The Egypt and Morocco trips have taken place in the last two years, which is to say during the war in Iraq.
Which country’s customs/immigration people have given me the hardest time?
Canada.
In which country’s small towns have I been told that I am not welcome?
Canada.
In which country have I seen the smile come off of people’s faces upon realizing that I’m an American?
Canada.
In which country was I verbally accosted by people (shop keepers, waiters, people standing next to me in que) upset over the actions of the US President (Ronald Regan) when I was 12 years old?
Canada.
Now you might try to suggest that the response I have gotten is merely a result of the colossal rudeness that Americans display in Canada on a regular basis. I won’t argue with you on that point, but what I will say is, if Canadians really are so bloody nice and friendly, shouldn’t they be above tit-for-tat rudeness with us?
oz @ Mar 11th 2008 4:04PM
I think that Craig was being sarcastic (at least I hope so).
As an Ontarian, I think we Canadians are full of ourselves and I do believe that our good reputation is not deserved. We treat each other like crap just like everyone else. I haven't been outside of Ontario though, so maybe it is better elsewhere... but I doubt it.
aerith @ Mar 11th 2008 7:03PM
I think as a whole we Canadians carry a bit of anti-american sentiment, so while we are nice to tourists from all over the world, you neighbors to the south receive a bit of flak. You guys don't totally deserve it...except for the TV writers/producers who poke fun at us (I'm looking at you CBS.) But its the same for us Canadians travelling down south, and it only gets worse the more south we go.
erth @ Mar 11th 2008 12:54PM
Canada, the nicer USA.
kal326 @ Mar 11th 2008 1:56PM
A Ford Taurus as a status symbol? Oh what strange customs they have indeed.. If they really want to be a member of the "in crowd", I have a Ford Fiestiva that could be the new hotness on your block.
Wesley J @ Mar 12th 2008 4:09PM
I think the reason us Canadians get pissy to Americans is due to things such as statements in the article above: "Canadians are hopping mad over the inequitable price of cars in their home state"
Canadians feel like Americans think we are the poor northern state. Have you ever called a Scottish man British or a Japanese person Chinese? Same reaction when traveling abroad and poeple call us Americans.
That being said, getting rid of Ford Tourases can never be a bad thing.....
The Afghan @ Mar 30th 2008 4:27AM
First of all let me show my disrespect to this fool CHRIS
SKUNK/SHRUNK/SHREK, whatever. Where the **** did you get the idea
from that any Afghan on earth could come to the assumption that Fords
or Volkswagens are brands from Canada???
+ The first cars that came to Kabul before got there before the 70’s (VW Käfer).
I was in Kabul 2 months ago
and none of the stuff you wrote is even close to what is going on
over there. They know more than you about cars. I know it's kind of
cool and funny to talk about a deserted place that you've never been
to in life. Don't take me wrong, I don't even expect you to ever have
the balls to visit my country.
I don't know if Canada will ever receive any credit for Rock&Roll. I
do however guarantee you that you guys already have received credit
for kissing America's ass and going for :"The Fake war on terror".
At some point you all should understand that you are not welcome in a
place where people lose their own life in order to take some of your
people with them too. Don't you all get it? They don't want Western
influence in their culture. They really love to have virgins as their
wifes and to be a virgin when getting married.Unlike the western
traditions that tell you to **** around the first 40 years and then
maybe look for a wife or husband (Viagra= Western standard vitamin?).
OK let's not spread out too much negative energy, you folks from
western countries please do understand that you are not welcome in
the east. No one needs your help, really no one wants any cars,
houses, your religion or your men and women. Keep everything for your
own people and stay with them please. Why do you think those
"terrorists" blow them selves, because they want to show their
simpathy or maybe i'ts some kind of Afghan, Pakistani and Iraki
greeting for invadors? They just don't want you in their countries!
Get the f**k out of those places and go back to where you belong. Go
back to your own countries and you will see the surprise : Those
young people that you used to call terrorists wonât have a need of
suicide attacks anymore, since the real terrorists will have finally
left our grounds.
Obviously English is not my primary language and I only wrote this
message to give you all a feedback from a person who has actually
experienced everything, begining from the Russian War to living on
your continents (Europe+US+Canada) and going back to Afghanistan.
In the end I only pray for you all to find the right path and god
shall protect you and your families + your government shall finally
do the right thing and send back your soldiers as long as they are
alive. Please understand that in a place that has been in war for the
last 31 years, there is no fear left and no one will value life
anymore. Do your self and your families a favour and continue
protesting against war. Oh yeah stop being so damn snobby and I
thought the Brits were snobs.
Peace on earth and in our souls!
The Afghan @ Mar 30th 2008 4:40AM
Correction:
For the picky ones: US + Canada are no continents.
I did not want to insult you in calling you NORTH AMERICAN, cause the word American is in there.