Driving home a point abroad

Re “How American is Obama’s parking lot?” Top of the Ticket, April 5

I worked in Europe for Ford for about 20 years. At foreign embassies and consulates, the cars of all the officials were their national makes. At the British Embassy, diplomats drove Rolls-Royces, Jaguars or Austins; at the German Embassy, Mercedes, BMWs or Volkswagens; at the French Embassy, Citroens or Renaults.

But at the U.S. embassies in Europe, virtually no American cars were in evidence. Most people drove European makes. I understand the appeal of European cars. However, when American officials represent the U.S. and are paid well and given generous allowances for living abroad, it should be incumbent on them to hold up the flag by driving an American product.

All other nationalities promote their own country’s products. Shouldn’t we?

Gordon Riess

Beverly Hills