Rootvg---Right to work
WELL SAID I DONT HAVE TO SAY A THING YOU KNOW THAT GUY SURE SOUNDS LIKE YOU DO. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT BUT MOST HAVE THE SAME GOAL WORK HARD AND TAKE CARE OF THE ONES YOU LOVE. NOT JUDGE A MAN ON HIS EDUCATION LEVEL.
GM
OH so you are still working at GM? I think things probably are a little different now than they were in the 70's and early 80's. you could even smoke anywhere in the plant even the H.R office but heat is heat no matter what era its from like you said you get use to it.
ford0725
When the executives and board of directors show true leadership by cutting their pay and compensation, instead of socking it to the workers and retirees, then I'll believe in a comeback.
ford0725
Using austerity to move to a profit will work in the short term and temporarily, but the talent and loyalty you chop goes to competitors. Most austerity programs are used to give the top brass immediate rewards in compensation.
California gas price update
By the way, gasoline is only $4.29 per gallon here for regular grade.
Earlier someone posted that gasoline was almost $5.00 which is incorrect.
I have seen many gas stations selling regular for $4.29 to
$4.32.
Chrysler losses
I see Chrysler has lost a ton of money.
Here is some advice for Chrysler,
Build a car similar to the Neon that gets at least 50mpg.
Build a car that does not blow the transmission up at 70k miles and costs $2300 to fix.
Build a car that does not blow head gaskets.
Build a car under $19,000 US dollars, that the common man
can afford.
Stop building Hemi trucks, Cudas and all that ridiculous garbage, you will lose money on them.
I see a lot of Chrysler and Dodge products collecting dust on the car lots here.
How Do the Asian brands get away with phony MPG rating TV ads
How Do the Asian brands get away with phony MPG rating TV ads. Toyota claims 33 for the Camry 39 for the Corolla. Hyundai says the Sonata gets 32 mpg. Nissan claims the Altima gets 32 miles per gallon. They all use deceitful tricks like "MPG rated" and at the bottom of the screen they say something like actual mpg varies. No mention they are all using Highway Miles not City Miles on top of manual transmission. GM and Ford loudly say in large print and with voice overs Highway Miles in their TV ads. The Asian brands also do this with their radio ads. One TV ad claims the Tundra gets great fuel economy with out disclosing EPA MPG Ratings.
ford0725
I hope it turns things around. However, the big wigs at Ford have been so out of touch. First, it's not just the fuel prices. People have been losing their jobs so, when you've lost your job, you don't really feel like buying a car. Also, people are being told that they MAY lose their jobs. With that threat looming, NO WAY are most people going to buy a new vehicle. Fuel prices have had a effect. Even if you still have a truck or SUV. You just don't travel as much. That's your cost savings.
American Car Loyalty
Well Protectionism is not the solution. People liked American cars simply because they were better built. But then the managers of American companies become too complacent and allowed other producers to move past them. So buying America is not the solution forcing American car companies to produce quality with economics is the real solution.
mercedes and BMW are still profitable although they produce big cars. John getNewCarDeals.com
Kernzie, Canmore, AB, Canada -- European vs. US MPG
Kernzie," Thanks to 69 RR Conv, Shermin Lin and especially fhs1 for their constant dialogue on European vs. US MPG standards and the comparisons of the Euro cars we may finally get to drive. I have learned a lot from your research and opinions, keep up the great posts. I started to research the differences in crash standards across the pond due to the Chevy Beat stupidity and am convinced that both MPG and crash standards will have to be harmonized somehow especially with N.Americans looking increasingly at Euro cars." .... I agree especially fhs1 for his bringing up the subject of high mpg cars from Europe. When it comes to European vs. US MPG standards it is practically the same MPG when it comes to US city to EU Urban Cycle. However when it comes to EU Extra Urban Cycle mpg to US Hwy mpg their seems in most cases to be a big difference. When it comes to EU Combined Cycle mpg to US combined mpg a good difference but not as much as EU Extra Urban to US hwy. An good example: . One can see this by comparing the same car in different countries, like the Mercedes E320 CDI. In US gallon terms, its fuel economy in Europe is 22.8 city, 42.0 highway, and 32.2 combined. According to EPA testing, it's rated at 23 city, 32 highway, and 26 combined.
So you can see that the combined fuel economy in that case is overstated by 24%, the highway by 31%, and the city mileage is the same. When you say," that both MPG and crash standards will have to be harmonized somehow especially with N.Americans looking increasingly at Euro cars." Like fhs1, I agree That would definitely eliminate confusion on this issue. Here is another example: From http://www.terrapass.com/blog/posts/a-dubious-conse-1 .... From London: We started at the Audi dealer. Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I've driven these things, and they're fun. But they have miserable fuel economy. Or at least so I thought. As we entered the showroom I made a beeline for the technical brochure. The A4 2.0L TFSI 200hp (6-speed manual) promises what I thought to be an impressive (for its size and power) 36.7 average miles per gallon.
I struggled to reconcile this with my recollections of the gas-guzzling US equivalent. And I'm still struggling. The US Audi website also lists a 2.0L TFSI 200hp (also 6-speed manual). But its combined efficiency is 23 mpg. .... (This is a 13.7 mpg difference when comparing EU to US standards.) From the article,So why the massive 50% increase in consumption for a few thousand miles across the Atlantic? .... Kernzie,fhs1,Sherman Lin any thoughts on this latest comparison? .... Thanks.
earthworm, York Haven, PA -- tlemon's post
earthworm," AMEN to the previous poster ! What he said was very ,very true.
I find the attitude of some plant visitors to be bad ! How can they be so stupid . at least they ask questions - the smarter ones do..
The woman's beliefs and attitude was particularly old fashioned and dated. She probably thinks slavery was OK, even in its time." .... earthworm,I agree with you! tlemon's post on Wed. 07/23/08 08:31 AM was very excellent and comes from the heart and his real life experiences. tlemon stands up for the hard working man and woman whether they are union or non union and thats the way it should be..... earthworm thanks for your post.
Otto Kritic and DesertDemon
Ken-san,
Response to your post:
1) Glad to hear your personal wealth is well. I was pulling for your prediction of oil exceeding $200/barrel - for I bought a ton of commodity stock in the 90's - had to, with the US relying on 70% of its energy on imports - seemed like a smart thing to do. Sold when it top $143/barrel - did pretty well.
Optiver Holding BV was padding the market by 'banging the close' with Oil Commodities. Reported today in the WSJ.
2) Housing Market and Housing Foreclosures are not exactly the same - so the reporting of the Housing Market (Sales) reported today. The generalization you are making is too broad - it is bad and could get worse, I completely agree.
3) Same reason as posted before - summer shutdown at most manufacturing sites attribute to this.
4) Have not heard this one - have not been able to find any information on this.
5) This happened on the 23rd, 419,000 gallons of heavy fuel oil spilled - this tanker was heading to Europe.
No need for rebuttal - we will see what happens there Nostridomis.
car_of_week080718
I don't know. Let's ask Oprah.
American Car Loyalty
My father was forced out of Chrysler after over 20 years. My step mother was forced out of Chrysler after 15 years. My brother in-law was forced out of GM after 21 years. I was forced out of a tier one supplier to the auto industry after 12 years. I am working in Utah because there are no jobs in Michigan that pay good wages available. I am away from my home, family, loved ones and even my dog so that I can continue making my finacial responsibilities. In the begining of the auto downsizing I am sure some dead weight was cut out, but for a long time every job cut is good hard working person who deserves some loyalty from the companies we stood by through these difficult times. Each job shipped to China, India, Mexico and Russia destroys a family here. Unions have sold out their members to create legal roadmaps for companies to terminate workers for chump change. Until we understand that loyalty is a 2 way street, and companies and unions are not giving it, we are just lemmings marching off a cliff. My heart goes out to thousands effected by the latest round of lay-offs. Get better Michigan, I want to come home.
BUY AMERICAN
I'll drive what I like. My family car is German (VW Passat), my sports car is Japanese (Miata), and my truck is American (Ranger).
The VW is simply a nicer car than what the Americans have to offer in this area. It handles well, rides quietly, and looks nice. The materials are also of higher quality inside.
The Miata was the only affordable, used 2-seat convertible when I bought it. I like the GM 2-seaters, but they're much bigger, and without any trunk space.
I like the Ranger because it's not stupid huge, like most trucks today. Sure, it's a bit dated, but with 4 doors and a full size bed, it works for household chores and hobbies.
I realize that the VW will cost more to fix, the Miata is not as fast as some other sports cars, and the Ranger is not as big as some others. I'm ok with that.
I buy what I like to drive regardless of manufacturer.
