Is It Legal to Ban ‘Foreign’ Cars in Michigan Parking Lots?

There may be two Michigans when it comes to foreign and domestic cars and where they may be parked.

Outside of Metro Detroit and the automotive manufacturing hubs like Flint and Lansing the concept of segregated parking lots between car brands made in America and those made elsewhere may seem incredible, pardon the pun, foreign. But that is just the case on the east side of the state.

👇🏼BELOW: This is the Opposite End of Every National Highway That Begins in Michigan👇🏼

Particularly at businesses that serve the auto industry.

The topic came up recently on Reddit when an image from a parking lot was posted proclaiming:

America - Union Made Vehicles Only

All others will be towed at owner's expense

-

Buy American. The job you save may be your own

The question is on the enforcement of such a rule. It is legal, after all these parking lots are private property and can determine who can park there. But how could such a rule be enforced.

Plenty of native Eastsiders where quick to share stories on the subject. To those unfamiliar with just how strong the culture of the Big 3 automakers and union shops are on that side of the state: It is true that many manufacturing plants and office buildings allow for close-up parking for either cars of a particular make, or any domestic car or cars that come from union shops.

The photo above is from a GM plant in Romulus pointing 'foreign cars' to a far away lot. Not intended to single one automaker out, the practice is widespread:

This is standard practice at every single facility for the big 3. Manufacturing facilities especially. How strongly it’s enforced naturally depends on the security manager at each facility.

Having to pay for a tow and the hassle of getting your car back may pale in comparison to what happened "in the old days." Many commented:

back in the '80s, it would get enforced with broken windshields and slashed tires.

I started working for GM tech center in 2015 and people still keyed non-domestic brands if they parked in the domestic brand parking area.

They often don’t tow you, but they will key your car. Not joking.

In the the old days it was enforced by brick.

Here's the notice at the entrance to a UAW hall in Wayne:

Many commenters were quick to point out a potential, and well known, hyporacy there are many models of Big 3 'American' vehicles that are made in foreign countries while many 'foreign' cars are made in America.