GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Nov 21st 2005, 9:01 am
#31
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by jamjar
Guilty as charged. We own a ford and a Dodge. But hey isn't Dodge owned by Daimler/Chrysler?? So maybe that doesn't count.
And what exactly is American made or not? I work in the auto industry and I doubt it's even possible to determine the 'American" content... one example: GM uses a control arm on a car built in the USA. That control arm was assembled into a corner assy in Ohio, had been machined in Mexico, from steel made in China and forged in India then heat treated in Korea. The scrap for the Chineese steel came from Germany and USA. How much is from where?
Nov 21st 2005, 9:03 am
#32
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by ironporer
And what exactly is American made or not? I work in the auto industry and I doubt it's even possible to determine the 'American" content... one example: GM uses a control arm on a car built in the USA. That control arm was assembled into a corner assy in Ohio, had been machined in Mexico, from steel made in China and forged in India then heat treated in Korea. The scrap for the Chineese steel came from Germany and USA. How much is from where?
I think we're referring more to the technical expertise and the sophistication of the design.
Buick anyone?
Nov 21st 2005, 9:14 am
#33
C'mon you Dragons
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: 'merica
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by Big D
I have the Durango and LOVE it!
Nov 21st 2005, 9:35 am
#34
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Location: The Big Apple
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by Schnorbitz
Yip, wifey has a Dodge Durango - just 200 miles on the clock. She loves it. And t'other car is a Ford.
Put 25k on ours in under a year and touch wood no problems apart from a broken windscreen - which is hardly related to the car!
Watch the bloody thing break down now!!
Nov 21st 2005, 9:37 am
#35
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Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Bay Area, from Plymouth UK
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Hey Brit,
We had a Chevy Malibu too. I had one as a rental car on a business trip, and thought it wasn't too bad. So a few months later we bought an ex-rental from Hertz. My wife used it, I stayed with our 1989 Acura Integra.
The car wasn't bad, and had a bit of poke. The only mechanical problem we had was the AC control panel died (you couldn't turn on the AC) and it had to be replaced - a common problem apparently.
Anyway, about 12 months later my wife had an accident on the way to work. She aquaplaned on the freeway and wrote off the car - fortunately she wasn't hurt, and no-one else was involved.
In hindsight, it was probably the best thing to happen to the Malibu. As a replacement we upgraded a bit and bought a Lexus RX300 and haven't looked back.
Funny how you can still buy the old Malibu (the Classic) now they've introduced a replacement. But that's GM for you!
Funny how I've formed the opinion that GM vehicles are pretty crap over here, yet I think the Vauxhall Vectra isn't half bad in the UK.
We had a Chevy Malibu too. I had one as a rental car on a business trip, and thought it wasn't too bad. So a few months later we bought an ex-rental from Hertz. My wife used it, I stayed with our 1989 Acura Integra.
The car wasn't bad, and had a bit of poke. The only mechanical problem we had was the AC control panel died (you couldn't turn on the AC) and it had to be replaced - a common problem apparently.
Anyway, about 12 months later my wife had an accident on the way to work. She aquaplaned on the freeway and wrote off the car - fortunately she wasn't hurt, and no-one else was involved.
In hindsight, it was probably the best thing to happen to the Malibu. As a replacement we upgraded a bit and bought a Lexus RX300 and haven't looked back.
Funny how you can still buy the old Malibu (the Classic) now they've introduced a replacement. But that's GM for you!
Funny how I've formed the opinion that GM vehicles are pretty crap over here, yet I think the Vauxhall Vectra isn't half bad in the UK.
Originally Posted by Brit3964
Hardly much to wonder about. I had a POS Chevy Malibu (I think they must have been drunk when they designed it!) and that turned out to be the worst car I've ever owned. Even worse than the "good old days" of BL in UK.
No suprise I now have a 2005 Honda Accord Coupe built in Marysville, OH. Much better!
A friend of mine's 1999 Ford Taurus stationwagon just blew up. Putting plastic manifold gaskets in a metal engine is not good idea
(btw, the Malibu had the same problem).
No suprise I now have a 2005 Honda Accord Coupe built in Marysville, OH. Much better!
A friend of mine's 1999 Ford Taurus stationwagon just blew up. Putting plastic manifold gaskets in a metal engine is not good idea
(btw, the Malibu had the same problem).
Nov 21st 2005, 9:44 am
#36
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Location: Bay Area, from Plymouth UK
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
The Vibe is built just down the road from me, in Fremont. Its built at the NUMMI factory - a joint venture between GM and Toyota. http://www.nummi.com
Originally Posted by elfman
kind of... Volvo Cars have been owned by Ford since 1999.
We are the "proud" owners of an American car and a GM one to boot: I drive a Pontiac Vibe, but only because it's basically a Toyota Matrix with different styling.
Incidentally the worst car I have ever owned by quite some distance was a Citroen ZX.
Pile. of. Crap.
We are the "proud" owners of an American car and a GM one to boot: I drive a Pontiac Vibe, but only because it's basically a Toyota Matrix with different styling.
Incidentally the worst car I have ever owned by quite some distance was a Citroen ZX.
Pile. of. Crap.
Nov 21st 2005, 9:56 am
#37
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by kevntrace
Hey Brit,
Funny how I've formed the opinion that GM vehicles are pretty crap over here, yet I think the Vauxhall Vectra isn't half bad in the UK.
Funny how I've formed the opinion that GM vehicles are pretty crap over here, yet I think the Vauxhall Vectra isn't half bad in the UK.
Come on - might be reliable but the dullest car in the world and terrible to drive...
Nov 21st 2005, 10:02 am
#38
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Thanks, Jeremy Didn't say I had any class!
Didn't say I had any class!
Originally Posted by Big D
Come on - might be reliable but the dullest car in the world and terrible to drive...
Nov 21st 2005, 10:53 am
#39
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL
Posts: 4,792
Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by Manc
I don't suppose it dawned on them to ahem.......make better cars?
You took the words out of my mouth. GM, Ford, Chysler when will they get it.
We get it, why can't they.
Reg. Frank R.
Nov 21st 2005, 11:00 am
#40
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Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL
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Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by Elvira
I see a poll coming on - how many BE US residents own American cars? 
Never again. Japanese or German for me.
Reg. Frank R.
Nov 21st 2005, 11:04 am
#41
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Joined: Feb 2004
Location: South Florida
Posts: 2,068
Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Kevntrace:
As you say, was probably the best thing that happened to ya. Dunno what was classic about it? Classic disaster, mistake, design??
Yes I had the a/c heater control panel problem too. Bet the Lexus is a bit different?
As you say, was probably the best thing that happened to ya. Dunno what was classic about it? Classic disaster, mistake, design??
Yes I had the a/c heater control panel problem too. Bet the Lexus is a bit different?
Nov 21st 2005, 11:14 am
#42
Banned
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 157
Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
I work for Delphi, yeah I know!
IMHO manufacturing in the US will be dead in 10 years, I don't think it will go to China, I went to Mexico to a Delphi plant, super efficient. Workers in Mexico Delphi, $4 max, workers in Delphi USA $27. Same quality......... no union. NOt really much we can do.
I am looking to get out of manufacturing, and am looking to buy some service industry franchise.
IMHO manufacturing in the US will be dead in 10 years, I don't think it will go to China, I went to Mexico to a Delphi plant, super efficient. Workers in Mexico Delphi, $4 max, workers in Delphi USA $27. Same quality......... no union. NOt really much we can do.
I am looking to get out of manufacturing, and am looking to buy some service industry franchise.
Nov 21st 2005, 11:20 am
#43
Just me!
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 752
Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by Elvira
I think we're referring more to the technical expertise and the sophistication of the design.
Buick anyone?
Buick anyone?
Ant
Nov 21st 2005, 11:25 am
#44
Banned
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Santa Monica,CA from Birmingham, UK
Posts: 18,402
Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by Terrier
I work for Delphi, yeah I know!
IMHO manufacturing in the US will be dead in 10 years, I don't think it will go to China, I went to Mexico to a Delphi plant, super efficient. Workers in Mexico Delphi, $4 max, workers in Delphi USA $27. Same quality......... no union. NOt really much we can do.
I am looking to get out of manufacturing, and am looking to buy some service industry franchise.
IMHO manufacturing in the US will be dead in 10 years, I don't think it will go to China, I went to Mexico to a Delphi plant, super efficient. Workers in Mexico Delphi, $4 max, workers in Delphi USA $27. Same quality......... no union. NOt really much we can do.
I am looking to get out of manufacturing, and am looking to buy some service industry franchise.
Nov 21st 2005, 11:25 am
#45
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Joined: Oct 2004
Location: The Big Apple
Posts: 1,834
Re: GM to cut 30,000 US jobs
Originally Posted by frrussre
Me, Ford Explorer XLT V8 2004. Piece of crap. Just sent Dealer & FMC a Lemonise Certified letter. 20 days to fix all the problems. They have attempted to fix whining/whistling back Axle 5 times. They have attempted to Auto tranny 4 times. A/C 4 times.
Never again. Japanese or German for me.
Reg. Frank R.
Never again. Japanese or German for me.
Reg. Frank R.
careful with the German - a lot of the US ones are made in Mexico and so a certain make/family has reliability issues here that would surprise owners in Europe
