I have not read this whole thread, just part of it. But I have to say something
I'm a Union construction worker in the South. We are the minority here (13% of the work). With our insurance and retirement we make twice what our non union brothers make. But, our union contractors bid work, get the job and we make them money. That's the only way that we can survive. I have done a lot of work in the auto plants over the years, so I've seen what's going on inside the plants. The public it not getting the whole story. Remember that the profits from the foreign car companies is sent back to Japan, Germany, Korea etc. Our state and federal government gives foreign company land, roads, tax exemptions, etc. to build here. The reason they build cars here is because it is cheaper to do so.
Oh yes, with my Union pay I have paid for 27 1/2 years of college for my wife and kids, no loans, grants or handouts.
Dwight
I copy this from the FFR Forum
http://www.ffcobra.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210296
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This was in today's paper (Press Enterprise) Riverside Ca. Full page paid advertisement.
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR NEIGHBORS
THE FORD STORY.
Dear Friends, Neighbors, & Fairview Customers,
As I watch the coverage of the fate of the US Auto Industry, one alarming and frustrating fact hits me right between the eyes. The fate of our nations economic survival is in the hands of some congressmen who are completely out of touch and act without knowledge of an industry that affects almost every person in our nation. The same lack of knowledge is shared with many journalists whom are irresponsible when influencing the opinion of millions of viewers.
Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama has doomed the industry, calling it a dinosaur. No Mr. Shelby, you are the dinosaur, with ideas stuck in the 70's, 80's, and 90's. You and the uniformed journalist and senators that hold myths that are not relevant in today's world.
When you say that the Big Three build vehicles nobody wants to buy, you must have overlooked that GM outsold Toyota by about 1.2 million vehicles in the US, and FORD outsold Honda by 850,000 and Nissan by 1.2 Million in the US. GM was the worlds No. 1 automaker beating Toyota by 3000 units.
When you claim inferior quality comes from the Big Three, did you realize that Chevy makes the Malibu and Ford makes the Fusion that where both rated over the Camry and Accord by J. D. Power independent survey on initial quality? Did you bother to read the consumer report that rated Ford on par with good Japanese auto makers?
Did you realize Big Three's gas guzzlers include a 2010 Ford Hybrid Fusion whose 39 mpg is the best midsize, beating Camry hybrid? Fords Focus beats the Corolla and Civic
When you ask how many times are we going to bail them out you must be referring to 1980. The only Big Three bailout was Chrysler, who paid back $1 Billion, plus interest.
GM and FORD have never received government aid.
When you criticize the Big Three for building so many pickups, surely you've noticed the attempts Toyota and Nissan have made spending billions to try to get a piece of that pie. Perhaps it bothers you that for 32 straight years Ford's F-series has been the best selling vehicle. Ford and GM have dominated this market and when you see the new '09 F-150 you'll agree this won't change soon.
Did you realize that both GM and Ford offer more hybrid models than Nissan or Honda? Between 2005 and 2007, Ford alone has invested more than $22 billion in research and development of technologies such as Eco Boost, Flex Fuel, Clean Diesel, Hybrids, Plug-Hybrids and Hydrogen cars.
It's 2009 and the quality of the vehicles coming out of Detroit are once again the best in the world. Perhaps Sen. Shelby isn't really that blind. Maybe he realizes the quality shift to American. Maybe it's the fact that his state of Alabama has given so much to land factories from Honda, Hyundai and Mercedes Benz that he is more concerned about their continued growth than he is about the people of our country. Sen. Shelby's dist ain for "government subsidies" is very hypocritical. In the early 90's he was the driving force behind a $253 million incentive package to Mercedes. Plus, Alabama agreed to purchase 2,500 vehicles from Mercedes. While the bridge loan that GM and Chrysler is requesting will be paid back, Ford Motor Company has withdrawn it's request for government assistance and Alabama's $180,000-plus per job was pure incentive. Sen. Shelby, not only are you out of touch, you are a self serving hypocrite, who is prepared to ruin our nation because of the lack of knowledge and lack of due diligence in making your opinions and decisions.
After 9/11, the Detroit Three and Harley Davidson gave $40 million-plus emergency vehicles to the recovery efforts. What was given to the 9/11 relief effort by the Asian and European Auto Manufactures? $0, Nada, Zip!
We live in a world of free trade, world economy and we have not been able to produce products as cost efficiently. While the governments of other auto producing nations subsidize their automakers , our government may be ready to force its demise. While our automakers have paid union wages, benefits and legacy debt, our Asian competitors employ cheap labor. We are at an extreme disadvantage in production cost. Although many UAW concessions begin in 2010, many lawmakers think it's not enough.
Some point the blame to corporate management. I would like to speak of Ford Motor Co.
The company has streamlined by reducing our workforce by 51,000 since 2005, closing 17 plants and cutting expenses. Product and future product is excellent and the company is focused on one Ford. This is a company poised for success. Ford product quality and corporate management have improved light years, thank you Alan Mulally and the best auto company management team in the business.
The financial collapse caused by the secondary mortgage fiasco and the greed of Wall Street has led to a $700 billion bailout of the industry that created the problem. AIG spent nearly $1 million on three company excursions to lavish resorts and hunting destinations. Paulson is saying no to $250 billion foreclosure relief and the whole thing is a mess. So when the Big Three ask for 4 percent of that $700 billion, $25 billion to save the country's largest industry, there is obviously oppositions. But does it make sense to reward the culprits of the problem with $700 billion unconditionally, and ignore the victims?
As a Ford dealer, I feel our portion of the $25 billion will never be touched and is nit necessary. ford currently has $29 billion of liquidity. However, the effect of a bankruptcy by GM will hurt the suppliers we all do business with. A Chapter 11 bankruptcy by any manufacture would cost retirees their health care and retirements. Chances are GM would recover from Chapter 11 with a better business plan with much less expense. So who foots the bill if GM or all three go Chapter 11? All that extra health care, unemployment, loss of tax base and some forgiven debt back to the taxpayer, us. With no chance of repayment, this would be much worse than a loan with the intent of repayment.
So while it is debatable whether a loan or chapter 11 is better for the Big Three, a $25 billion loan is definitely better for the taxpayer and the economy of our country.
Can you tell me, have you driven a Ford lately?
Sincerely,
Nick DePasquale
Fairview Ford Lincoln-Mercury