"why does Toyota have US factories when they can get lower labor input elesewere??? "

- there are a lot of reasons for that...import tarriffs, stringent US vehicle regulations that cost a lot to modify imported cars, buy american psychology, expensive transportation costs, and US government pressure/threats on foreign auto manufacturers...that's just off the top of my head...let me turn the question back on you: why do toyota and other japanese auto manufacturers still export $54 billion worth of automobiles, auto parts, and accessories to the usa in 2007? why are US vehicles barely making a dent in the japanese market?