Thread: stupid yanks,,,

Export your unemployment. Introduce import quotas, not tariffs. Require all reasonable volume importers to commence CKD assembly and reduce their import quotas if they don't.

Originally Posted by Quiggers

However, GM Detroit only has itself to blame for the mess it is in.

Surely the US auto union (the UAW), pensions, and on-going health care costs for auto workers didn't help (all put in place when the auto unions were extremely powerful).

Hi Ron, I meant that the products that comes out of Detroit, just don't cut it anymore, and haven't for a while. The big selling sedans in the USA come from Toyota and Honda, yet are made on US soil.

One example: A friend who lives 50 miles south of Detroit bought a Pontiac G6 2 years ago, she thinks it's okay, but does agree its gas milage is poor; it's 2.4 litre 4 cyl, returns about 23 mpg (US) avg and she is not stuck in traffic. An old buddy who lives in LA and is a car nut, says the G6 is rare, US buyers don't want them, as it cant compete with the Camry or Accord.

Detroit still churns out cars based on 30+ year old platforms, like the Crown Victoria, yet wonders why mostly govt depts acquire them......
and a Chev Suburban may be huge, but its not a great package, an LR3 would have to be a zillion times better, in so many ways.

I do hope they dont slide back into fuel guzzling complacency, given they're currrently paying just $1.50 a US gallon avg, (40 cents a litre).

Originally Posted by Quiggers

"jobs, incomes, and the economy..." Barack Obama on radio right now.

However, GM Detroit only has itself to blame for the mess it is in.

Remember one other thing, congress approved $15billion to bail out GM and Chrysler, on the condition they show how they're going to fix their problems and follow through.

Brownie points would suggest that slashing imports and saving US jobs would score very high....

Originally Posted by p38arover

Surely the US auto union (the UAW), pensions, and on-going health care costs for auto workers didn't help (all put in place when the auto unions were extremely powerful).

What seemed great back in detroits hey day would kill them now if the govt hadnt of stepped in (UAW benefits). Yet when faced with the prospect of loosing it all the UAW didnt want to let go of any of it. I've read many a time in auto magazines that the UAW is half the reason for detroits financial problems.

The jap manufacturers in the US don't have a powerful unionised workforce and the workers don't get paid as much but they make higher quality cars??? Go figure.

I also think detroits focus on large, primitve cars was also a major contributing factor (as mentioned before). When times were good GM was dropping small car programs in favour of hammering out more SUV's as they were more profitable at the time. Very short sited (The only succesful large vehicle still powering on is the F series trucks built by Ford).

I think the only thing that could save GM in the long run in terms of what they produce is the Chevy Volt. If they can manufacture that to reasonably high standards and it proves reliable they could sell thousands and really take it back to the japs who have the Prius and Civic Hybrid. Reason why is that it offers great economy compared to conventional sedans, supposed to be cheaper and would start the road to an electric car network that would take the reliance off oil.

My 2c

Originally Posted by Quiggers

<snip> ... Detroit still churns out cars based on 30+ year old platforms, like the Crown Victoria, yet wonders why mostly govt depts acquire them......
... <snip>

Except it's not a 30 year old platform, it's a new front wheel drive platform because it's cheaper in production.

Originally Posted by stuee

What seemed great back in detroits hey day would kill them now if the govt hadnt of stepped in (UAW benefits). Yet when faced with the prospect of loosing it all the UAW didnt want to let go of any of it. I've read many a time in auto magazines that the UAW is half the reason for detroits financial problems.Yep, I 100% agree. Ive seen first hand what this attitude can do although a different industry, of people not wanting to let go a little to save their jobs, jobs of all their freinds and workmates.


The jap manufacturers in the US don't have a powerful unionised workforce and the workers don't get paid as much but they make higher quality cars??? Go figure.It is simple, build quality or loose your job......kinda how it is meant to be, but the union theme is how much.....how much and we want more but work less and you cant fire me or the world will stop

I also think detroits focus on large, primitve cars was also a major contributing factor (as mentioned before). When times were good GM was dropping small car programs in favour of hammering out more SUV's as they were more profitable at the time. Very short sited (The only succesful large vehicle still powering on is the F series trucks built by Ford).They will learn though their big SUV's really do do well out here in Oz, a mate of mine has a 6.6 Duramax Chev dual cab and it consistantly beats the Disco on economy and is great to drive, doesnt notice 3 tonne behind it though is a PITA to park at coles

I think the only thing that could save GM in the long run in terms of what they produce is the Chevy Volt. If they can manufacture that to reasonably high standards and it proves reliable they could sell thousands and really take it back to the japs who have the Prius and Civic Hybrid. Reason why is that it offers great economy compared to conventional sedans, supposed to be cheaper and would start the road to an electric car network that would take the reliance off oil. My money is on it being a flop because not only will only a small amount of the greed mongers (Americans) buy them but they will be of such crap quality that they will probably catch on fire while driving along like one of the last small cars they built.

My 2c

I think Ive just hit on why they build such big cars, they are scared of fire so they want the fuel tank as far away from them as possible so they make the car 200 metres long