Article Comments: Detroits Third Q

13 messages, Last post on Nov 18, 2006 at 9:30 PM

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Article comments for Detroit's Third Q: Not So Easy as 1-2-3 for Big Three - Ford and its new chief, Alan Mulally, recruited from Boeing, have a lot of work to do. It's hard to know where to begin. (more)

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#4 of 13 Fairy Tale? by 7driver Nov 02, 2006 (7:57 pm)
How about a "Fairy Tale" scenario? What if gas suddenly becomes dirt cheap again?
#5 of 13 It's all at some point going to boil down to..... by rockylee Nov 02, 2006 (8:17 pm)
Healthcare costs. If someday this country gets national healthcare like they have in Canada, that will be a saving grace for the domestic auto-manufactors. The UAW, next contract is going to have to accept a 401K plan since GM, can't figure out how to put back money for it's workforce. Hopefully the UAW, can get a good comapny match for it's workforce. Rocky
#6 of 13 time up by iqbaldhillon2 Nov 04, 2006 (8:20 am)
Big 3 your time has come has come. Now Toyota will rule the market. Replies to this message: rockylee (Nov 04, 2006 12:45 pm) iqbaldhillon2 (Nov 10, 2006 2:38 pm) billingsley (Nov 10, 2006 4:32 pm) rockylee (Nov 10, 2006 11:46 pm)
#7 of 13 Re: time up [iqbaldhillon2] by rockylee Nov 04, 2006 (12:45 pm)
Replying to: iqbaldhillon2 (Nov 04, 2006 8:20 am) GM, hasn't heard the "fat lady" sing yet !!! Rocky Replies to this message: iqbaldhillon2 (Nov 10, 2006 2:38 pm) billingsley (Nov 10, 2006 4:32 pm) rockylee (Nov 10, 2006 11:46 pm)
#8 of 13 Time for Congress to step in! by iancar Nov 09, 2006 (6:23 pm)
Think about it: When Ford, GM, and Chrysler are short on cash, unprofitable, and lack of critical investments, Honda, Nissan, and Toyota are busily working on the next jump in technologies and productivity. Can you bet on Japs to screw up their products like Germans and oil prices become dirt cheap again? of cuz not. So, what options we got? Restructuring? Big 3 had plenty of time in the past 30 years, and still failed. Quality and productivity gain? Most factories on GM and Ford's chop board are JDpower winners, what a surprise. Price cut? They had tried it since 70s oil crisis, ending with incentives burden and resell value crashes. With tougher competition from Korean government backed automakers, cash loaded Japs, and high price tag Germans, only the Congress has the power and cash to save the Big 3 from sinking to the bottom.
#9 of 13 Re: time up [rockylee] by iqbaldhillon2 Nov 10, 2006 (2:38 pm)
Replying to: rockylee (Nov 04, 2006 12:45 pm) You wait Rocky, when Toyota introduces thier Tundra diesel you'll be sorry, and the Big 3 will be gone and forgotten. Toyota has every market today except fullsize trucks. By 2010 I think they'll have the market. If not maybe 2015. Replies to this message: billingsley (Nov 10, 2006 4:32 pm) rockylee (Nov 10, 2006 11:46 pm)
#10 of 13 Re: time up [iqbaldhillon2] by billingsley Nov 10, 2006 (4:32 pm)
Replying to: iqbaldhillon2 (Nov 10, 2006 2:38 pm) I have heard that Toyota will pass GM as the largest car maker perhaps in '07. But, to me it's strictly a numbers game. The spin doctors will be out when Toyota surpasses GM.
#11 of 13 Re: time up [iqbaldhillon2] by rockylee Nov 10, 2006 (11:46 pm)
Replying to: iqbaldhillon2 (Nov 10, 2006 2:38 pm) Why will I be sorry ? I care, but it's not a personal issue. I would assume the new Senate and House, will help the domestics out in someway. I also assume within the next few years national healthcare, will be a issue again which if it passed would help out the domestics. We will see.... Rocky
#12 of 13 That's not the answer by countsmackula1 Nov 18, 2006 (8:35 pm)
The answer is to get the automakers out of the clutches of the UAW. National healthcare is not the answer--ready to give up 40 to 50 percent of your salary? Not me.......As for the Big Three--it's hard to turn a profit when you're supporting thousands of people on benefits that add up to more than most people's salary. I don't begrudge auto workers a good living-but they don't need to earn more than someone who went to school for seven to ten years (like an engineer).Also, I echo the sentiment that they need to sell cars that people want , not some half-assed plastic retro-mobile, e.g. PT cruiser
#13 of 13 Not to worry... by iluvmysephia1 Nov 18, 2006 (9:30 pm)
Ford's got Mr.Alan Mulally, my old boss at The Boeing Company. What's gonna happen is Ford is really going to begin cutting back now...not only jobs but benefits for those that remain. I'm so glad to be away from Boeing and Mulally both. Sour grapes that are helping to turn my life back towards happiness. Thanks to perseverance and Arizona and a much smaller town to enjoy living in. Look at it this way...getting canned from Ford(or GM or DCX)could eventually lead you to a better quality of life. Thanks Alan! =:)