Union contracts are ridiculous and do not help, but the designs, after the
accountants get a hold of them, leave much to be desired. Yes, the
accountants get involved because of the stupid contracts, but senior
management is ultimately responsible. Look at the Pontiac Solstice. GM
management was convinced that it wouldn't sell as is. Pontiac execs had to
beg to get it released and it sells well. Jacques Nasser could have released
the current Mustang in 2002, but was convinced that no one would buy a
retro-Stang. The Big Three has been doing a very poor job at market
research.
The biggest thing that makes Toyota successful is the way it treats workers.
Labor is considered to be a partner not an adversary. American Airlines has
been doing this the past few years. It is the ONLY legacy carrier never to
file for bankruptcy. It is not out of the woods, but it is getting there.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Barnes" <rascal@scrtc.com>
To: <dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net>
Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 4:03 PM
Subject: RE: DML: Daimler confims talks to dump Chrysler
>
> Good points all. I read in a Motor Trend not long ago that the only car
> made 100% parts and labor in the USA is the Honda Accord...this seems just
> silly to me that our Big Three cannot say this. I used to solely blame
> our
> Unions, but then some wise person on this list mentioned that the Unions,
> like them or not, (and I do not), only build what the Big Three design, so
> it cannot be solely the fault of the Unions.
> I agree that the Japanese have forced our domestic manufacturers to
> improve
> quality and this is the great thing about capitalism.
>
> Rascal
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Tom Byrne
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 2:46 PM
> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
> Subject: Re: DML: Daimler confims talks to dump Chrysler
>
>
> The engines and transmissions are also being built in the U.S. as well.
> There is also a new small parts plant going up in Arkansas.
>
> Garbage? Look, I am a tried and true Mopar fan, but the cars built in the
> U.S. from the mid 70s to mid 90s were, by and large, the biggest pieces of
> sh*t ever made. Late 70s were the worst. Like domestic vehicles made in
> the
> last 10-years? Thank Honda and Toyota. If not for their presence, U.S.
> vehicles would still be pieces of sh*t.
>
> FYI. The Wall Street journal did an article last year on domestic versus
> foreign parts content. The Journal noted that the Toyota had something
> like
> 80% domestic parts content and the Ford Mustang was near 65%. Who is
> "ASSEMBLING" cars here and who is building them.
>
> Toyota currently builds better vehicles, in most cases, than the Big
> Three.
> My problem with Toyota is purely one of styling. They are too bland.
>
> For those who think that buying foreign cars is unpatriotic. I buy
> American
> more than most. Even over 90% of my tools, including hand tools are
> American. I buy American if the product is superior or at least close.
> Right
>
> now, domestic vehicles are close. If the new UAW contract looks anything
> like the current ridiculous contract, I will intentionally buy Toyota.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Olznut@aol.com>
> To: <aol@dakota-truck.net>
> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 10:14 AM
> Subject: Re: DML: Daimler confims talks to dump Chrysler
>
>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> In a message dated 4/6/2007 6:38:51 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
>> bernd@dodgetrucks.org writes:
>>
>> We don't acknowledge them. ;)
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Tom Byrne [mailto:kerib@ptd.net]
>> Sent: Friday, April 06, 2007 8:14 AM
>> To: dakota-truck@dakota-truck.net
>> Subject: Re: DML: Daimler confims talks to dump Chrysler
>>
>>
>>
>> And they are made in Texas.
>>
>> No, they're ASSEMBLED in Texas. It's only as good as the crap they put it
>> together with. Garbage in, garbage out. You can't polish a turd.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Ed "Olznut" Halterman '06 Ram Quad Cab Patriot Blue 2500 Cummins diesel
>> 14.9
>> at 98mph! '66 Olds 442, "Project Olds", Intense Blue, $4000 paint job
>> will
>> be finished by next month!
>>
>>
>>
>> ************************************** See what's free at
>> http://www.aol.com.
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon May 07 2007 - 19:04:35 EDT