Detroit - Think they'll ever 'get it'?

[supmet]

Originally Posted by TLyttle

Along with everyone else, Toyota didn't see the Crash coming, and it is likely that this new SUV was too far down the production like to stop it.

As far as Toyota trucks are concerned, a good friend is waiting for the new Toyota duallie to come out; his name is already on a list of buyers so that he can get rid of his POS (Dodge). Above and beyond its regular maintenance, the POS has cost him another 20 grand for repairs not covered by warranties, and I'm not talking collisions or abuse, just crappy materials/workmanship. If the Big 3 can't even build trucks any more, they become pointless.

As far as jobs are concerned, why would anyone think that these 2 million jobs would just disappear? There is still a market there, and anyone who thinks that Toyota et al aren't going to expand to fill the gap isn't paying attention. I'm not convinced the the workers at the Big 3 plants have GM or Ford or Chrysler have the company logo tattooed on their foreheads, and would be pleased to work for other manufacturers.

I'm gonna post briefly on this... Talking about the bailouts(auto and mortgage) severely raises my blood pressure.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Ford_factories
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...ing_facilities

Most trucks from ford are built in.......... MEXICO
Most cars from toyota are built in.......... AMERICA

Not to mention, if we just let the american car companies die, yes, toyota and honda would be glad to put 2 million americans to work.

American car companies have had every advantage - first on the car scene, harsh tariffs on imports, government contracts, dumb americans buying 7 mpg hummers when gas is 5 bucks a gallon, adjusting EPA regulations to suit their needs - after all that, you still want my tax dollars to save your failing business??

(the funny thing is, none of this is what really gets to me... giving MY money to people who have already proved the only thing they are good for is losing billions of dollars for no good reason is what pisses me off..)

[SeaYa]

Originally Posted by supmet

I'm gonna post briefly on this... Talking about the bailouts(auto and mortgage) severely raises my blood pressure.

Most trucks from ford are built in.......... MEXICO
Most cars from toyota are built in.......... AMERICA

YES! I live just outside of Detroit, and am finishing up an assignment with an OEM paint manf. Based on what we see, GM is one of the biggest importers of cars in America.

People around are very slow to get it, and are stubborn. I saw a "Out of a Job Yet? Keep Buying Foreign" bumber sticker....it was on a 95 Ford Taurus with two rusted quarter panels, a dented fender, and a bumper that had rope holding part of it on....they apparently haven't bought anything American for the car in the past 14 years.

Any 'changes' that the Big 3 are promising may be true, but they are not changes to the core of the companies, just a side-dressing offer to make it look like they are trying to change. Sad, because I know a lot of people who work for these guys, and they have smart, talented people, they just aren't being lead and guided to focus on the customer.

PS: still haven't gotten shot after my YarisWorld pride entry!