"I travel all over the country for business and stick up for Detroit and the Big Three, but people I meet are just not supportive. So the companies need to have an ad blitz and educate the American people and Washington — and fast! They need to point out what they have done that is good, and what they will do to stay viable. But tell Washington exactly what it needs to do to help as well — and not just keep asking for more money.
If other auto manufacturers in other countries have an unfair advantage because their governments subsidize their R&D, then state it clearly. If other countries subsidize health care for their auto industries, then state it clearly. If other countries still place huge tariffs on U.S. cars and not those built in their countries, then state it clearly.
If other auto companies from around the world sell their cars here at break-even costs to try to put the Big Three out of business, then maybe now might be the time to point this out. If there really isn’t fair trade, then our government can help with that.
Make it known. Demand it! Those are things Washington can and should help with. "
AND
"Fascinating, isn’t it? The all-knowing and all-powerful members of the U.S. Senate and House took the CEOs of the Detroit Three to task. They all but called them incompetent. They suggested that perhaps they should resign their positions. They demanded that they take pay cuts to per year.
They want the companies to submit their plans to the government for scrutiny and approval. They demanded that the Detroit Three operate like the Japanese competition.
So what has happened just three months later? Both Toyota and Honda are posting huge losses. Both have gone to their governments, asking for loans. Virtually all European governments are making loans to their automobile manufacturers, because they recognize the importance of manufacturing to an economy.
But our government is still willing to make our auto industry grovel and beg for help, and they seem to be indifferent to their success or failure. Arrogance and ignorance reign supreme in Washington, D.C."
AND
"Put car guys on panel
I urge elected officials at all levels to express their constituents’ concerns about the makeup of the White House’s auto task force. Most of the 22 members have long ago turned their backs on U.S. industry, and none of them has any experience or expertise in industrial management.
Make a case ASAP to modify the panel and get some car guys, like Roger Penske, and some people who are dedicated to what’s best for our nation and fully understand the critical, if not vital, importance of the auto industry, and all of America’s industries, to our nation’s economy, strength, security and very sovereignty. "
http://detroitfreepress.mi.ussql06.newsmemory.com/demo.php
What are your thoughts on the above articles from readers?
People don’t get just how other business will be hurt by the fall of the big 3 (or 2 of the 3). Think about it, what materials go into an automobile.
steel, foams, paint, plastic, fiberglass, misc. metals, washers, screws, bolts, wires, computer componets, fabric, leather, nylon, polyester, rubber, oils and other fluids, not to mention the parts like brakes, tires, and other misc that are built by other companies, glass, mirrors, the list goes on. Someone supplies these items for the auto industry. You don’t think they won’t suffer.
Lets not forget where the employess spend their paychecks, the mom and pop stores near the factories, the restraunts, gas stations.
Can’t leave out the other places they spend their paycheck, grocery store, appliances, furniture, etc…
It will be a huge chain reaction and people won’t get it until they get laid off from thier job or their company closes due to lack of sales. Any town that has one of these factories I feel will be hit the hardest.