With General Motors’ deadline for restructuring now just days away, talks between the Detroit automaker and the United Auto Workers union are starting to ramp up. Both sides will meet in Washington later this week.
GM and the UAW are currently holding talks involving a wide-range of topics, but the latest will focus on keeping jobs in the United States. “The UAW is actively involved in these complex negotiations, which involve the Obama auto task force, GM management, bondholders and secured lenders, dealers, parts suppliers and other stakeholders,” the UAW sais in an e-mail obtained by Automotive News. “These negotiations will have a major impact on wages, benefits and jobs for active and retired UAW members.”
A recent document revealed GM is playing to import China-made vehicle by 2011, with more than 50,000 vehicles set to come from China each year by 2014. Although that figure would represent less than 2 percent of GM’s total U.S. sales, it could be the beginning of a slippery slope for the UAW. In addition to importing China-made cars into the U.S., GM also plans to sell more Mexico and South Korea-made vehicles here in the coming years.
It remains to be seen how the balance will pan out, but the Obama administration will likely side with the UAW to keep jobs in the U.S. while GM will lobby for more foreign-made products to keep production costs down.
05/18, 12:17 PM
posted by:
Lariat Luxury Locomotive Liner No.3
At this point this is no more than the blind leaving the blind.
05/18, 1:11 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
So much for GM being an American brand. They are selling out their country just like all the other industries, just to make a buck. I don’t have a problem buying Japanese… they make good stuff… but cars from China? I think I’ll pass.
05/18, 1:43 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
Hay “NEED MORE OIL” is it not the “AMERICAN DUTY” of GENERAL MOTORS to make there cars here in the U.S.?
You are always going off on how everyone must “BUY” the true American Brand, but more and more we all see it “IMPORTING” then anything els… DAMN! The Chevy Camaro is built in CANADA! Nothing wrong with that but how can you clam it as a American Sports Car? More like a Canadian Sports Car, witch is cool…
At lest some Toyota’s and Nissan’s are made in the U.S. and 2/3 for Fords….
05/18, 1:44 PM
posted by:
llt21
I just love that days before the deadline they finally intensify their talks with the UAW. Shouldn’t this have happen at the begining of the month. But GM doesn’t care. They are getting free money.
Thanks GM keep it up
05/18, 1:50 PM
posted by:
llt21
Toyota and Nissan can make 100% of the cars in the U.S. and be the only car manufactuer in the U.S. but they will NEVER BE AMERICAN. Someone had to tell. But you can keep telling yourself they will.
Thanks GM keep it up
05/18, 4:03 PM
posted by:
yarddog82abn
@llt21….
LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION… WHAT MAKE A CAR AMERICAN? IT’S LABEL, OR HERE IT’S MADE?
I FOR ONE DO NOT CONSIDER A TOYOTA NOR A NISSAN A AMERICAN BRAND, BUT AT THIS POINT IS THAT A GOOD THING?
I JUST DON’T LIKE THE FACT THAT CHEVY STILL USES “AN AMERICAN REVOLUTION” NOR “THE HART BEAT OF AMERICA” AS THERE SLOGAN…
GM BUILT A $200 MILLION DOLOR PLANT IN RUSSIA.! NOW THEY ARE IMPORTING FROM CHINA?
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO COMPETE AT A INTERNATIONAL LEVEL… AND IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MATCH, THE PAY + UNIONS + TAX + AND THE COST OF OVERHEAD… THERE IS NO WAY…
BUT STILL, GENERAL MOTORS IT’S THE SAME BRAND IT USED TO BE…
05/18, 6:42 PM
posted by:
ricky_b
I agree with yarddog on this. What’s the point in having an “American” auto company if they outsource their assembly to other countries. I remember when Levi’s was a die-hard made in America company and their jeans were well made articles of clothing. Then they shipped manufacturing overseas and their quality suffered. They forced customers like me to shop based on price. If GM wants Americans to stay loyal with “buying American”, they need to keep jobs in America; same for Ford and Chrysler. Otherwise, it’s fair game for any make because I don’t get a rat’s a@@ about saving the jobs of executives and managers at GM.
05/18, 9:59 PM
posted by:
aggie531
I aggree with yarddog too. say a brand is origionally from Japan. take Honda for example. how can you call a Honda Accord an import if its not imported at all?? Thats like saying “my parents are from Italy so im 100% ilalian.” no you are american if you are born in america. same with cars. sure they have a Japanese logo on them or designed in Japan. but they are just looks. if its made in China, its Chinse. it may not look like it but it is
05/19, 7:35 AM
posted by:
fan
i keep wondering and wondering how it may happen that a certain troll who was asking for a certain petro-product for some underperforming company is not showing up on here for months now… wonder if he finally wisened up? or if he actually just got fired by that wonderful company… (would be one of the best decisions that said company may have made in the last decade…!)