Game over, GM in Chapter 11... - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #1 06-02-2009, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DieselAddict

It seems like you haven't been paying much attention. I can think of at least one union that the Obama administration has irritated: the teachers' union. As to the UAW, I wouldn't call them being in bed with the govt either. The UAW just signed major concessions, and if the govt has its way, they'll make more cuts in GM's budget to cut costs.

Well, they were calling our place to vote for Obama because the wife works in a union hospital. Guess they will be disappointed at their investment.

ImBroke · #2 06-02-2009, 08:55 AM

It wasn't that long ago that these car companies were making over a billion a quarter. They can be profitable again, if they can look to the future instead of relying on the principles that got them into this mess. This should have been a wake up call, guess we'll see if they just roll over and hit snooze.

#3 06-02-2009, 09:07 AM

t. while you are correct with the fact that the unions didn't design or okay the materials used (am paraphrasing). The unions did increase labor cost and hence added to the total cost of the car/truck/whatever. And sorry to say I belive the union fosters laziness. I worked in a union run place and the workers were so freaking lazy. I got yelled at for "working too hard".

aklim · #4 06-02-2009, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBroke

It wasn't that long ago that these car companies were making over a billion a quarter. They can be profitable again, if they can look to the future instead of relying on the principles that got them into this mess. This should have been a wake up call, guess we'll see if they just roll over and hit snooze.

Problem is that while they were profitable, they were steadily losing market share. This economy accelerated their demise a little faster. Sooner or later, it would have come to this. I mean, how can you continue to be profitable when you are losing market share on a daily basis?

ImBroke · #5 06-02-2009, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Problem is that while they were profitable, they were steadily losing market share. This economy accelerated their demise a little faster. Sooner or later, it would have come to this. I mean, how can you continue to be profitable when you are losing market share on a daily basis?

True, my point was that Nike has a 100 year plan, while I believe our automakers had more like a 1 year plan. You cannot be shortsighted in a global economy, and it bit them in the ass. Whoever said a Focus was a good car better look into the SOHC 4 bangers. I have a dead one right now, that the valve seat broke, sending pieces into the piston destroying the motor. Still waiting on the junkyard to find another motor for less than 1k (because they fail so often). Have not had any experience with the DOHC ZTEC's yet. How bout the Quad 4's that puke their coolant into the oil, got one of them too. New head gasket didn't fix that one. IMO, the American companies haven't figured out the 4 bangers yet, so I'll keep driving the Honda.

dannym · #6 06-02-2009, 02:43 PM

In my opinion the UAW has noone to blame than themselves.
Back in the day when American cars were plentiful & cheap the UAW held a lot of power up in Detriot. They got excessive wages, benefits & retirement plans. Which was OK then, good for them.
Now it's a different story. Their fighting for their lives and the UAW needs to wake up and see that they don't hold the business end of the gun anymore. They need to take pay cuts & work less hours until the economy comes back. Then maybe they can get back to decent not excessive wages.
Much like the iron/metal industry has done.

It kills me when they say they can't live if they take a pay cut into their $120,000 salaries. Especially considering most of them do a job a monkey can be trained to do. It's not like their college educated.
Everybody's living above their means. Whatever happened to saving for a rainy day? Well, it's raining!

Rant over

Danny