F-GM

[JediKooter]

What better...Matt Millen running the Lions or the auto industry in Michigan?

[M GO BLUE!!!]

I found this interesting on BBC

Asked about a dispute between the two nations which began after the US stopped a pilot scheme which allowed Mexican trucks to use roads in the US, Mrs Clinton said only that she was aware of the dangers of protectionism.

Mexico said the decision earlier this month violated a free-trade deal between the countries and retaliated by imposing higher tariffs on some 90 American exports.

Why is it that no matter what party is in power they preach how bad "protectionism" would be for us and how "free trade" is necessary. We seem to be the only nation that does what it can to screw ourselves. How bad can tariffs be is our "free trade" partners regularly impose them on us?

[Wolfpack]

Originally Posted by Balldog

I find this comical coming from anyone living in Michigan. You do realize that Michigan's economy is directly tied to automotive, don't you? Not just automotive workers will lose their jobs, pretty much everything will be wiped out. Who cares, I'll sell my house and move...right? Who is going to buy it? If you live in Michigan you don't have to work in automotive to realize what kind of impact that could have here, at least I wouldn't think.

In a sense, isn't this the problem that Michigan has had for going on four decades now? While not a native, I lived there long enough to know that Michigan is way too dependant on the auto industry. Because of this, it never really boosted much during the 1990s run-up and never really recovered with the rest of the country after 2001. It never seemed to figure out how to diversify very much into other industries or ways of life. Of course, exceptions exist as it's a pretty big state, but Michigan feels very much like a one-factory town that's about to lose that factory.

[fantom1979]

Originally Posted by Balldog

Sorry didn't realize you had an axe to grind and I thought you'd be more informed on what was going on in your city, my bad.

Of course I have an axe to grind. You watch your grandparents get thrown out of a house that they have owned for 40 years. You buy a car that is a piece of shit.
Because I do not know how many parts are made in the US for the Dodge Avenger, I am not informed about things going in Sterling Heights? Last time I checked, Sterling Heights Assembly didn't invite me for a personal tour of the plant and its manufacture facilities.

I quoted a USA Today article about the Avenger. I don't work for the Big 3. I am sorry if you found the article inaccurate, maybe you should take it up with Gannett.

Just so you know I drove a 1994 Ford Escort until it had over 120,000 miles on it. A 1997 Ford Escort that topped 130,000 miles and currently have a 2001 Explorer at 116,000 miles. I had zero issues with any of these cars. My brother and my best friend each had a 2001 Ford Taurus and got over 150,000 miles from them. This is back when there quality was shit.

If I was you or your friends, I would consider myself lucky. I was not so lucky. When someone keeps kicking me in the ass, I don't come back and ask for more. My 1987 Buick Skyhawk was delivered to me without reverse. It was a manual transmission, and when you put it in reverse, it was the same as being in neutral. My 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix was sold to me with defective back brakes (they were stuck "open"). They were not covered under warranty, I had to contact an attorney to get any attention from Pontiac at all. These were NEW cars...

I find this comical coming from anyone living in Michigan. You do realize that Michigan's economy is directly tied to automotive, don't you? Not just automotive workers will lose their jobs, pretty much everything will be wiped out. Who cares, I'll sell my house and move...right? Who is going to buy it? If you live in Michigan you don't have to work in automotive to realize what kind of impact that could have here, at least I wouldn't think.

No, I fully understand the impact.

I don't think that the Union understands the impact. At some point you have to look at yourself in the mirror and realize that job banks, getting paid for full shifts when you work 4 hours, and $30/hour wages probably aren't very good for the industry. Raising the cost to make cars is going to price yourself out of the market.

I don't think car companies understand the impact. Making shitty cars for 30 years is usually a recipe for disaster. Making a car that people want with good quality would be a good start.

There is a reason why only 45% (57% in Jan of 2005) of all cars sold were American last month. They have a rep for being over priced and below par quality. That rep wasn't pulled out of thin air.

[Balldog]

Originally Posted by fantom1979

Of course I have an axe to grind. You watch your grandparents get thrown out of a house that they have owned for 40 years.

Don't understand this and its none of my business but ok.

If I was you or your friends, I would consider myself lucky. I was not so lucky. When someone keeps kicking me in the ass, I don't come back and ask for more. My 1987 Buick Skyhawk was delivered to me without reverse. It was a manual transmission, and when you put it in reverse, it was the same as being in neutral. My 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix was sold to me with defective back brakes (they were stuck "open"). They were not covered under warranty, I had to contact an attorney to get any attention from Pontiac at all. These were NEW cars...

I don't know if I'd say lucky, seems like we were more informed and test drove our vehicles. Both of those problems you could've found during a test drive. How did either of those prevent your car from topping 75,000 miles?

I don't think that the Union understands the impact. At some point you have to look at yourself in the mirror and realize that job banks, getting paid for full shifts when you work 4 hours, and $30/hour wages probably aren't very good for the industry. Raising the cost to make cars is going to price yourself out of the market.

Agree 100% percent.

There is a reason why only 45% (57% in Jan of 2005) of all cars sold were American last month. They have a rep for being over priced and below par quality. That rep wasn't pulled out of thin air.

The problem is that 45% of zero is still zero. There aren't enough cars being bought overall, foreign automakers are struggling too. They don't have the high costs like American automakers do, partly cause they haven't been in the US as long and therefore do not have the legacy costs.