Korean Job Discussion Forums

[bacasper]

[BS.Dos.]

I think the other thing is that if the administration do throw cash at the failing US auto industry, and I believe they will, then it should also back-up this commitment fully and not just pour cash into what appears to be a rather large hole. Rather, the administration needs to sit-down with the auto boys and together, formulate a strategy that will in-turn influence transport policy. Whatever way forward is deemed as being most appropriate, either LPG, hybrids or electric etc, then the administration needs to ensure that the infrastructre is or will be in place before money is poured into R&D projects that will turn-out new, clean vehicles, but which the public wont buy if there's no way of actually powering them up.

I'm fairly sure that the auto makers already have much of the R&D work completed. Its just a case that most are probably gathering dust after they were shelved after the last anticipated auto industry overhaul. Additionally, R&D investment needs to extend far beyond fuel-type alternatives and should incorporate broader research initiatives that start factoring in other variables such as lighter material composites, alternatives to rubber use and research into fuel-to-wheel ratios etc. The bottom line is, is that there are now, more than ever, three new variables in the auto mix; a need to reduce oil dependancy; a failing economy and a growing environmental consensus. That right there is a blueprint for 'change'.

I personally think that we're at the dawn of a new age of motoring, an age that should be first welcomed by acknowledging the fact that large, sweaty and impractically inefficient SUV type people movers are not the way forward. If you want it, then you should be made to pay for it, and then some, regardless of any petty arguments of liberty and freedom of mobility. You want to drive (and pollute) an off-road vehicle on the roads? then you should pay, both in the showroom and at the pump. Furthermore, I think that you're going to see the implimentation of a lot of these congestion charge scheme proposals being planned for some of the larger US cities pretty soon too.

[Bigfeet]

Let them die. Throwing money at them will only delay their deaths. They'll use that money in order to close US plants and move them to Mexico faster. American car companies are not competitive and haven't been for decades.

[Poemer]

[BS.Dos.]

If the US can't compete on cost, then it needs to add value. Plain and simple. It's sink or swim. I think it'd be political suicide to let it sink.

[Tiger Beer]

Can't let it sink...those are American companies and they just need to be competitive. There is a lot of potential money there. They certainly need a very heavy focus and vision and plan.

[Zutronius]

Evolve or die. The big three need to evolve and adapt to change or they will go under. It's a shame it's come to this because they have had some good ideas (EV1) and let them die off. Hopefully they'll learn from their mistakes this time around.

[BS.Dos.]

^^Sure. And one which dovetails with a wider transport policy. Not sure how we describe the current automotive industry, maybe Motoring_V4.2 or something, but if we're to make the shift to V5.0 sometime soon, then the US is well placed to punch well above its weight and deliver this. Afterall, mass production of vehicles was pioneered and mastered in the US. Now, that doesn't mean you're better than everyone else at it, but your auto heritage is second to none. It'd be a shame for a large number of blue-collars if that legacy was squandered.

[sojourner1]

Like in most other industries, fat asses managing them road a gravy train to nowhere, but personal gain for too long and left nothing for tomorrow. Well tomorrow is just about here and there mediocre work yielded only big financial troubles for the next in line. It happened all across the board in Americas economy. They didn't build value in companies, they built value in their personal bank accounts taking the easiest routes. Go figure.

I say let em' drown as this day and age is high time to restructure and redefine everything; not support the fat asses who got us in this big commingled mess in the 1st place.

[Tiger Beer]

I believe DETROIT might be part of OBAMA's economic plan. For example, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and former U.S. Rep. David Bonior are both on Obama's 18-member economic advisory team. He has also been talking to auto leaders in Detroit on how Detroit can be a part of what he wants to use to jumpstart the economy.

I also think it would personally be a HUGE mistake to let the Detroit automobile industry sink (particularly if there is a ton of money being alloted for Wall Street, etc.).

Some interesting things of Detroit, autos and Obama from Obama's website: http://www.barackobama.com/2007/05/07/remarks_of_senator_barack_obam_12.php

There is a lot to this, but here is part of it:

[Milwaukiedave]

Haven't we been down this road before?

Chrysler's Crisis Bailout 1979

In all fairness, they did pay the government back.

[mindmetoo]

[khyber]

Hey, I'm ALL for seeing the American auto industry succeed. But clearly, the people who've been in charge over the last 10 years are not the people to do it.

I think what so many industries (and politics) in America need is for the people in charge to STFU and start actually doing things to secure their society. The last 8 years seems to have been nothing but lipservice. I mean no disrespect to Americans here but are there industries in the US that have shown meaningful growth over the last 8 years (besides the housing market)?

[mises]

[some waygug-in]

I think the big thing that North American Auto makers have to deal with is the cost of labor. The old style union vs management system will not be profitable in the coming years.

They will have to find ways to enable employees to share in profits of the company, other than - higher wages, more union dues, etc.

Some kind of employee share program in exchange for wage cuts are probably the only way they can survive.