Comments on: American Axle Strike Won’t Affect Malibu Production

By: HarveyBirdman

HarveyBirdman — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:38:59 +0000

Seems like regardless of where the parts are coming from, we’ve got to give props to GM for learning from past mistakes and showing up at this gunfight fully armed. So in spite of all the lessons left unlearned, give them a gold star for getting the answer right this time.

Now, if they could just show this sort of tendency in correcting more of their problems, they might just pull out of that bankruptcy death-spiral…

By: menno

menno — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:36:27 +0000

I read something in Automotive News (print edition) last year about some car parts corporate big-wig who was incensed to be handed a cloned (read: illegal copy) of one of his factory’s parts. Then, as an engineer, he looked closely and was so impressed, he moved production to the rip-off plant in China.

I’ve also heard tales from hot-rod parts suppliers stating that they can’t get decent stuff from US sources any more; out of spec, late deliveries, out of control price increases, etc., and once they moved to Chinese suppliers, they got quality stuff, on time, at a far better price.

Kind of scary.

But it doesn’t jive with my personal real-world experiences with Chinese made crap. Guess I really have to avoid Mal-Wart, huh?

By: guyincognito

guyincognito — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:38:56 +0000

My guess is that the parts are coming from China. The big 2.8 have been tooling up suppliers in China to produce most, if not all, of their subcomponents for years now.

By: Lichtronamo

Lichtronamo — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:07:55 +0000

If the recent Big 3 contract negociations weren’t enough of a wake up call for Ron G and his Brothers, then the AA better be. I’m sure the UAW was counting on inflicting pain on GM to bring about resolution of the strike to their benefit. GM is showing remarkable restrained and adaptability in responding to the slow down. My guess is those workers out on strike will blink before GM does.

By: menno

menno — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:59:21 +0000

I wonder if the Malibu part is one of the very very few parts that coincidentally is the same as an Opel on the supposedly “same” platform (which doesn’t share 95% of the parts)?

Wouldn’t that be ironic?

But in reality, it’s a much better bet that the parts are from China and/or Mexico.

By: Sherman Lin

Sherman Lin — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:58:23 +0000

My guess is that GM has been working furiously on finding alternative supply sources for all of their suppliers ever since the Delphi bankruptcy.

By: Orian

Orian — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:20:53 +0000

Well, we do know American Axle has plants in Mexico…and we know GM has suppliers in China, so it is no stretch to think they are getting parts from either (or both) locations.

My understanding was the G6 is an older platform than the new Malibu/Aura. The old Malibu was built on the same platform. If that is the case, it is unlikely they are raiding the G6 parts bins.

By: Buick61

Buick61 — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:55:50 +0000

The most probable explanation: American Axle’s Mexican operations are suppling the necessary bits. Alternative theory: China. Think about that the next time you equate “buying American” and “buying domestic.”

You want me to think about how you hypothesize/guess that those parts are coming from foreign sources? Sure, fine.

Maybe they’re raiding the G6 parts bin. Or the maybe the Aura bin. Or maybe, just maybe, they’re making it themselves. Or another American company is doing it for them. We can sit here and hypothesize all day.

By: Captain Tungsten (of GM)

Captain Tungsten (of GM) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:29:33 +0000

Automotive News is free this week, so click away…

By: lprocter1982

lprocter1982 — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:03:17 +0000

On the other hand, GM could just cut Malibu production back to 1 a week… then the remaining parts would last quite a while, as well as making huge demand for a nearly non-existant car, thus making more claims that GM is doing well – Malibus can’t stay on the lots!

Of course, the China and/or Mexico thing’s more likely. I wonder if maybe GM just sent specs to other suppliers a while ago?