Comments on: GM Buyouts, Pt. 2: New UAW Contract Saves $2.1b p.a.

By: joeaverage

joeaverage — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:06:31 +0000

How much would the truck in the picture cost with a modern drivetrain? Would prob perform just fine with a 200HP V-6 b/c the truck doesn’t weigh that much…

And yes, I’ve worked on alot of the 30s and 40s vehicles so I am aware of the safety issues like:

in cab gas tanks – move it out back between the rails
steering column spears – add U-joints
brakes – upgrade to discs

add rust proofing, sound proofing, and refine the materials used through the truck JUST A LITTLE and then sell it to me for $10K.

By: taxman100

taxman100 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:00:27 +0000

GM/UAW processes is a snapshot of how things are done in the country today.

Short of oil and gasoline? Let’s do absolutely nothing about it buy make pie-in-the-sky promises about how some future painless technology will solve everything painlessly.

If you think the UAW is bad, try dealing with the EPA, Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, etc. We are being lapped by other countries while we choke on regulation and socialism.

By: ihatetrees

ihatetrees — Fri, 30 May 2008 23:36:01 +0000

Laid-off workers could be moved to a car assembly factory in nearby Orion Township, where GM is negotiating with the UAW to add a third shift. Negotiations? “We haven’t got anything final,” says Mike Dunn, bargaining chairman of UAW Local 5960. “We’re always looking to bring work in. We’re hoping before the year’s out that we can accomplish this goal.” Hey, what’s the rush?

Contrast the above labor/management train-wreck with the quiet efficiency of the transplants. Toyota & Subaru quietly team up to make a new RWD sport coupe and it’s simply getting done.

And thinking of Subie, GM owned a chunk of it 5+ years ago. Were labor issues or management incompetence or something else the reason GM didn’t use the Subie AWD system? Cuz at the time, GM sure seemed willing to offer a couple billion option package combinations.

By: 26theone

26theone — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:09:14 +0000

Brilliant! a company that has to pay their employees to leave and has to pay their dealers to shut down. Where can I sign up to invest in this company?

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:56:22 +0000

But wait, if they were bought out, how much did it cost to save the 2.1 per year? How many years will it take to get that back? Will GM still be around when that happens?

By: Mj0lnir

Mj0lnir — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:00:25 +0000

Good job. If they can find a way to save another $10 billion, they’ll have their cash burn for next year covered.

By: NBK-Boston

NBK-Boston — Fri, 30 May 2008 16:41:55 +0000

I like the retro.