Related: OLG execs bashed over Benz-buying decision

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Jon
It may be a crappy thing to do, but GM, Crysler and Ford make crappy high end cars NO ONE WANTS. If they didn't it wouldn't be an issue and they wouldnt all be going bankrupt in the first place.

Andrew
I see no problem giving away foreign cars, if they bought GM cars for the giveaway I'm sure that they would have overpaid for them anyway.

Pete
OLG is a quality organization and as such should only enhance it's reputation by giving away only quality products as any prizes. I applaud their decision and guts, and only hope that I can win one of the cars.

russ
Does it strike anyone as odd that we whine, "What about us?, when the Americans say "Buy American" and yet we whine again when OLG conduct business as usual?

Fred
This is political correctness gone too far. Is buying 22 Big Three cars going to save them.

I mean who won't rather win a Benz rather than a Chevy?

Claude from St. Catharines
We rail against the Americans for their anticipated protectionist policies, and yet that's exactly what we're doing by doing away with foreign autos. What hypocrisy by our government!!

David McPhail
We are making some high quality automobiles in North America and Ontario is truly the "auto capital" of NA.

In economic times such as we face today, it is incumbent on our Provincial Government to offer cars built in Ontario as prizes for programs initiated in and paid for by dollars coming to the government.

This is a real injustice to all of those in the manufacture of automobiles in this province.

David
No the OLG should give away cars produced in Ontario, however we are missing an important fact here. The OLG knows that a Mercedes Benz will draw more people to buy tickets than a hybrid Malibu. More tickets means more money for the OLG, you need to offer a high-end prize to give people the incentive to buy the tickets.
David

jim in peterborough
if government allows selling imports than whats wrong with giving them away

maria
What about all those other lotteries that give away cars, like the Princess Margaret Hospital. Half of those cars are also foreign. A car is a car. I'd gladly drive anything else if I would win a car. Those companies have to survive also....

TK
For OLG: It is all about getting people's business. I think those luxury vehicles would draw more attention from their clients. However, it is not necessarily for them to be responsible for the auto crisis in Ontario. After all, they need to find the root of the crisis and sort it out by themselves.

Katherine- Trenton
Why shouldn't the OLG give away forgein cars. If I could get a domestic car that performed like a foreign made car, I would say buy domestic. I own a newer domestic vehicle and am looking to go foreign with my next vehicle. I have had nothing but trouble with my Dodge.

Robert in Courtice
This is not the dumbest decision OLG has ever made,but probably the worst.It just goes to show how inept the whole program is.Maybe it's time to dismantle the whole thing.If we don't look after ourselves first,for sure, no one else will.

Anne
The OLG should just stick with having money as prizes instead of foreign luxury cars!That's what people need now is money,not a foreign car? I personally think that the cars shouldn't even be foreign!Why not have cars that are made in Canada for prizes?Let's support Canada made products!Let's care about Canada first!!!

George
I understand the whole giving away Mercedes, but it sends the wrong message at this time. Plus, THIS IS a goverment agency who is accountable to the public and should be told what.

MP
Ask anyone to come up with names of luxury cars....chances are you won't hear the names Ford, GM or Chrysler on the list.

Why not also complain to the Princess Margaret Lottery - BMWs.

How about the Canadian Cancer Lottery...BMW, Mercedes, Porshe, Audi...oh wait...Cadillac.

What about our very own Great Canadian Pride - Tim Hortons' Roll up the rim - Toyota.

Alan
Highly desirable cars don't come from Oshawa they come from Germany and Italy. The OLG knew what they were doing but the government is interfering by playing blatant politics. I'll remember you George Smitherman.

linda
I honestly believe that there would not be the same amount of purchases...Foreign cars have much more appeal than Canadian
linda

Mary
OLG is out of touch and has been for a long time
I couldn't afford the insurance or upkeep
How about saving the jobs at Fort Erie Racetrack/Slots instead

Mary
That means our money is going to a foreign company. What's up with that. Support the local authority. Put up a Ford Mustang, tricked out by Rousch, and I'll bet that there is interest.

Margaret
The OLG should be able to buy any car that they want to buy, but it makes more sense with our economy the way it is, to buy Canadian.
The number of cars that they purchased is not going to make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
All of our government officials should buy Canadian made products, but we know that will not be done. Ask Mayor Miller where he bought his blue /grey boxes for his garbage program, he certainly did not buy Canadian, when there are Canadian companies who could make the blue/grey bins in Toronto!!

linda
This is linda ...again

In a lottery the aim is to sell all the tickets. people would spend the money to take a chance to win Jaguar or Merecedez more than wo win a Cadillac!

My husband and I constantly debate on this subject, he is "buy Canadian" and I am You get more bang for your buck with a foreign.



Linda
Toronto

Frank Granic
Doesn’t anyone here check J.D. Power’s initial quality index and long term durability index and see that GM and Ford make excellent products, even some are BETTER THAN TOYOTA and Mercedes Benz? The Cadillac CTS is a very beautiful car which is very desirable. They are NOT crappy cars. OLG is not a quality organization because of the scandal they were involved in a couple of years ago. Why is one person posting “I mean who won't rather win a Benz rather than a Chevy?” Isn’t this person comparing apples to oranges? Chevrolet is not a luxury brand, Cadillac is.
These perception problems are what is hurting GM, Ford and Chrysler. I have spoken to some people who love their American cars. I have also spoken to people who hate their troublesome Japanese or European cars. Why doesn’t the mainstream media report TOYOTA ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEMS? What about problems with Hondas as per this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EK_-3TFD2E
Just look at the Toyota Tundra in this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HoC-n9i9E0

DO
Has everyone forgotten about the Honda factories in Alliston? Everyone is screaming about buying Canadian. Do the Honda employees jobs not count? Another thing to consider is that anyone that has driven a Honda or Toyota knows there is a HUGE difference between them and a GM or a Ford. Sadly, I had to buy a GM purely because the price was too good to pass up at this point but if my bank account had nothing to do with it, trust me, there would be a Honda parked in my garage! Give away an import! Maybe my ticket will win!

Tracy
I wonder if Jack Layton and his party always buy Canadian? If we're going to pressure the average consumer to do this, shouldn't it encompass ALL consumer goods? Why is it that only the formerly powerful, well-paid unions are feeling threatened by the purchase of 22 well-made cars? I think I hear a crumbling sound, don't you?

Ernie - Kingston
Look at the big picture, folks. We screamed and condemend protectionism, when it showed up. Now we paractice it. This is a world wide recesiion. To be fair to the Lottery corp. this car purchase was made before the recession hit. Government purchase policies were not specific to buying Ontario made vehicles. Look around and you will see Ontario goverment vehicles that are foreign models.
WAS UP !

Christine Brown
Enought is Enought, Time to Clean up at the OLG,

David Chan
Ontario is being reduced to bush league with all of this auto nonsense.

Sheri
Luxury sells tickets!
Wonder what car George Smitherman drives...willing to bet that it is not Ford, Chrysler or GM.
How did the responsibility fall on the OLG to save the car industry. I am so tired of the whinning. Luxury sells tickets!
From a marketing perspective the OLG made the smart business move and hey lets face everyone is in business to make money.