Posted on 03/02/2010 8:21:10 AM PST by Starman417
In this post, I unapologetically rip off a "spaghetti western" infamous title to present what is possibly the most moronic and unethical economic handling of the US auto market, and the jobs it affects.
It was only last year when Obama admin publicly wrung their hands in anguish, then lamented it had no choice but for the government to intercede in dictating corporate leadership, production models and future, payscales, shareholder control, plus divving up award of bankruptcy assets for two of the US's big three automakers - GM and Chrysler.
Only the third US giant - Ford - a long time #1 winner decade after decade for their trucks - studiously steered clear and continued down the road as an privately controlled industry. I'm very comfortable in believing that Henry Ford, founder of the company as well as the father of the modern mass production assembly line, has no reason to be turning over in his grave whenit comes to his corporation's legacy.
In addition to Ford, the US had the Toyoto Motor Company... a Japanese owned giant who, in October 2007, marked their 50th year in the US. At that time they had "..11 assembly, engine, transmission and parts plants in North America, with a 12th planned in Mississippi." The factories alone employed over 30,000 Americans... a number that didn't include the support industries including dealership networks, and their 21 US suppliers - the latter of which together employ 2,000 people. Companies that, I might add, are now wondering about their fiscal survival in the wake of Toyota's fall under the pressure of both the WH bully pulpit and media assault.
One has to wonder daily... just who's side is the POTUS and his appointees on?
How has Ford been faring? They are not only set to hire 1,200 in their Chicago/Torrence factory to finish work on their new Explorer SUV debuting later this year, but they ended 2009 up a "cool" $3 billion, paying $450 each profit sharing to their 43,000 eligible U.S. hourly workers.
Ford is a study is all things American about capitalism, and the antithesis of all the Obama administration would have us believe. The best sellers are their "gas guzzlers"... that improve with each design... trucks and SUVs. They sustained their own path on "unpopular" product line - per government mouthpieces anyway - and came out ahead big time in a year noted for it's government giveaway... "cash for clunkers". Ironically, the program meant to sideline American's choice of "gas guzzling" vehicles. Obviously the handout had little effect, but positive, on the "gas guzzling" giant.
What's more noteworthy is that Ford's success is done without the taxpayers dime, and without handing the corporate reins to inexperienced government czars and union shareholder leadership.
Attention POTUS... take a lesson in both the importance on accurate and honest market analysis, and private sector capitalism here.
Toyota? It's own story is still unfolding. With a plot - fraught with political intrigue and overt conflict of interest that's worthy of a Tom Clancy novel - Obama's WOT (War on Toyota) commences daily... whittling bit by bit at Toyota's US business base. First it was the unprecedented move to send out a Transportation Sec'y who tells the nation to virtually park their Toyoto's in their garages for their own safety. That it took 24 hours to realize the faux pas does not negate the publicity domino'ing from serious bad judgment.
But just to show it's not a one off moment, today the WOT assault continues more subtley now, sharing headlines with other government abusive issues. Instead, much like the health care concocting and proposed "reconciliation" plots, the back rooms and lesser public avenues are utilized. In Toyota's case, it's depending heavily on the Dem controlled House chamber, and showboat hearings.
Read more at floppingaces.net...
There are a plethora of reasons why people need & buy trucks- REAL trucks- not the compacts.
I need mine to haul my horses. Contractors cannot function without REAL trucks to move materials and tools.
Some of us just want a vehicle that will save us in a collision with the easter egg look alikes made of plastic and powered by gerbils. I don’t want to be inside a plastic car.
There are a plethora of reasons why people need & buy trucks- REAL trucks- not the compacts.
I need mine to haul my horses. Contractors cannot function without REAL trucks to move materials and tools.
Some of us just want a vehicle that will save us in a collision with the easter egg look alikes made of plastic and powered by gerbils. I don’t want to be inside a plastic car.
To each his own, and what he needs. I’ll probably end up with a midsize sedan, then a smaller, more fuel efficient car, and then I’ll get a used pickup for when I need to haul stuff.
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