so do you think they will eventually just fail

[blacknightteg]

i know this topic has been discussed before, but in light of the recent announcement i was wandering what you all thing. 2 of the Big 3 automakers are going to close down many of their plants for an extended length of the first quarter for next year. do you think this will actually help or are they just destined to fail.

[Bruce Leroy]

I worked at a restaurant once... The owner said, "We are gonna close down for a month to regroup"...... 2 weeks later there was a for lease sign on the building.

[BanginJimmy]

they arent selling cars as fast as they produce them so they are doing the 1 thing that would save the most cash.


And yes, they will fail unless they boot the UAW.

[TIGERJC]

they arent selling cars as fast as they produce them so they are doing the 1 thing that would save the most cash.


And yes, they will fail unless they boot the UAW.
I love how its always the small guys fault. Damn those unions they weren't a problem 5 years ago. Oldmobile division hasn't turned a profit since the late 80's yet they continue with that divison and they continue to make vehicles that americans are not going to rush to the showroom floor to buy. I do think because of the bad businees practice they should restructure and also have talks with the UAW about redoing their union agreement so that they can survive. The big three were not forced to sign those contracts and I do not see how it is the union fault or the workers why the the big three is failing.

[JennB]

Oldsmobile stopped production in 2004....

And UAW is far from small.


Most automakers traditionally shut down the weeks of Christmas and New Years. This year they are just extending those shut downs to save cash and catch up with inventory.

I think the main problem is that US automakers are not making what most consumers want these days. People STILL see American autos as less reliable, less efficient and less value for money than the foreign brand cars. I don't say foreign made because most of them are made in North America despite the badge. The US needs to offer efficient, well priced cars that are stylish and different like the foreign maker cars.

The US also put all of it's eggs in one basket. We all know how that saying goes. They relied on trucks trucks and trucks and didn't diversify and prepare for changing times.

[TIGERJC]

my bad I meant Buick

[BanginJimmy]

I love how its always the small guys fault. Damn those unions they weren't a problem 5 years ago.

GM would be very close to a profit if they matched Toyota's wage structure. The Unios quit fighting for the little guy and started working for their own power a long time ago.



Oldmobile division hasn't turned a profit since the late 80's yet they continue with that divison and they continue to make vehicles that americans are not going to rush to the showroom floor to buy.

partly agree, most american small cars are ugly as hell. The larger cars were too expensive to purchase and too expensive to put gas in for a while, but gas prices are going down and most experts that I have read believe that the only thing holding up new car sales now is the uneasiness of the economy, which is equally effecting all auto makers.



I do think because of the bad businees practice they should restructure

I agree, management has been horrid.


and also have talks with the UAW about redoing their union agreement so that they can survive.

Up until about 3 weeks ago the UAW said it would not consider any more consessions, but once support for an auto bailout fell apart they changed their position and said they would consider futher consessions if congress bailed out the Big 3.


The big three were not forced to sign those contracts and I do not see how it is the union fault or the workers why the the big three is failing.

The Big 3 were forced to sign the union contract. The UAW said said the Big 3 would agree to their terms or they would strike. This would shut doen the Big 3 and cause even further losses.

The UAW isnt THE cause for the Big 3 falling apart, but they are a large contributing factor.

[matthewAPM]

is it going to rain tomorrow?

[TIGERJC]

I will always support unions mainly b/c of corporate greed. Ceo wages have been climbing at a crazy rate since the late 90's but workers wages haven't been following anywhere near the same rate. Unions can shoot the worker in the foot sometimes, but when it comes to benefits and to actually make a decent living I do believe thats why we need unions around

[TIGERJC]

The Big 3 were forced to sign the union contract. The UAW said said the Big 3 would agree to their terms or they would strike. This would shut doen the Big 3 and cause even further losses.

The UAW isnt THE cause for the Big 3 falling apart, but they are a large contributing factor.
Nobody can force you to do anything. One option was better than the other