Couple that with the unions stead fast refusal to lose jobs by modernization.....which is something else the big 3 are lagging......
It's not just UAW wages and benefits that add to the costs of the Big 3, it's the stifling union extorted work rules that have hamstrung the industry for years. Streamlining production facilities, closing inefficient plants and adopting modern manufacturing processes have ranged between difficult and impossible for the Big 3 to achieve.
A couple of other points. Contrary to much popular thought, the domestic car companies are making some damn good vehicles these days, both in quality and content, especially Ford and GM. Chrysler still lags somewhat on the quality front. Check J. D. Power. The fact that they've been forced to heavily discount as of late is the price they're paying for days gone by (especially in the 1980's) when they did, in fact, produce shoddy vehicles. Add that to their current financial burden.
Also, when you look outside North America, both Ford and GM are doing quite well. Ford in Europe makes excellent, popular and stylish small cars (thanks to the UAW, importing them here doesn't count against the moronic CAFE rules). Likewise, GM's Opel brand. GM also has a good foothold in China, with Buick being a prestigious and popular brand. GM's Holden in Australia makes innovative modern cars, some of which are rebranded and sold in North America. Etc, etc..
I like domestic cars. Always have. I currently own several. There's some great history with the Big 3 and I'd really hate to see them go down. But if Gettlefinger and the UAW won't wake up and smell the coffee and get real, then unfortunately bankruptcy is the only viable option for them to properly restructure, which they can do with innovative management and by shedding unrealistic union shackles.. |
