Radioactive Japanese cars held in Russian Far East

  Not exactly the energy efficient hybrid vehicles expected.
  Like all, I wish the Japanese people the best in dealing with their awful tragedy.
  For the past 40 years we have always thought it important to support and buy American made cars and trucks, though not always the cheapest.  It is a shame most parts for those American made vehicles are also made abroad now.  Years ago when my kids became independent of my choices and my pocketbook, we did not always see things the same.  They always made the point that the American car was not always the best  in reliability or quality.  Everybody is entitled to their own decisions, right or wrong.  My point being, hard as it is to find American built anything, I will find it and that will be my choice.  Not Government Motors, but American Motors

VLADIVOSTOK - Forty nine cars shipped from Japan were held Friday in Vladivostok in Russia's Far East after tests showed they had radiation levels six times the legal limit.

The cars were stopped at the customs checkpoint in Vladivostok ten days ago and are now packed into boxes, waiting for authorities' decision on whether to use or abandon them.

The Far Eastern customs checkpoints have been equipped with radiation detectors and portable radiation meters to check imports. Customs inspectors found traces of the radioactive isotopes cesium-127 and uranium-238 on some of the used cars.