Nickname: supply chain student

Review: The foreign auto makers do business extremely different than the domestic U.S. auto makers. The foreign auto makers look up and down their supply chain and approach business much more strategically. They will work with their suppliers and help them find ways to become more efficient, cut costs and in turn recieve benefits. This also builds much stronger relationships between the automakers and the suppliers. Detroit simply demands price cuts from suppliers and demands their workers reduce costs, but they aren't being nearly as strategic as they could be. There's no need to reinvent the wheel. Look at what these successful foreign manufacturers are doing and model it.

Date reviewed: Jan 23, 2007 7:18 PM

Nickname: cap10america

Review: I see the auto industry in Detroit in two ways. The days of working in a high-paying auto industry in the union with a high school education are just about over. One will earn what they learn from a college education or expanding knowledge by training for higher technical skills. Foreign workers are eating America's lunch! I am an engineer with a masters degree working in the auto industry. I still feel threatened by cheaper and higher educated workers from foreign countries. We are letting this happen. When this happens a spiral effect will take place. Less companies to work for, lost pensions, higher health care costs, lost revenues to surrounding stores which eventually close and, of course, lower tax revenues being collected. At the same time our leaders must do more to combat unfair trade and currency practices. Take a look at expanding the trade balance difference!

Date reviewed: Feb 22, 2006 2:01 AM

Nickname: DureUSsupporter

Review: I agree with Flagwaver David. I'd hate to see the U.S geared down.

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 8:58 PM

Nickname: mortimer

Review: On visiting the Web site 40mpg.org it seems to me the auto industry keeps trying to push large gas-guzzling vehicles on the US public. Other countries enjoy smaller, extremely fuel efficient cars. Why don't they make those cars here? We wouldn't have to worry about hybrid battery disposal and the extra expense of buying those batteries. With the diminishing resources and people losing jobs because large vehicles are not selling, it seems making those cars here would solve two problems. I would love to have a non-hybrid car that averages 50mpg.

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 6:21 PM

Nickname: American Genius

Review: Foreign autos are almost as domestic because of the percent of parts made in the US. The logo means the few execs on the top will make more money since the unions are not needed these days. Ford & GM should continue to buy up these new auto companies like they have in the past and put their logo on them. GM has a great idea in the ethanol 85%-- known as flex fuel--which you will not see on others as a standard. This is important since we could have this to cut oil imports. Also E85 is cheaper and you can make it now from home with leftover food scraps. Just a week ago BIO tech mag announced a leap in a microb that can increase the amount of ethanol alcohol you can prduce from stems of left over plants that would have been garbage. Like the movie Back to the Future 3, the Dalorian ran on leftovers--which is now possible and cheaper and easier than oil. Wake up America!

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 6:06 PM

Nickname: Automan

Review: The problem with the auto industry is not in it's core business.The companies spend billions a year on advertisement and endorsements.For example,Tiger Woods made 80 million dollars in 2005.He won maybe 7 million in golf. Nike and G.M. showered him with the rest. The imbalance is outside the core business.

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 4:52 PM

Nickname: worried

Review: Well i see this writer is doing just what the Japanese want and that it to get you to believe that it's ok to buy foreign cars and trucks when the American manufacturing base is depleted and we are totally dependent on the foreign companies for our jobs and future then we will on a downward spiral to being a second rate country ! and the few jobs that the foreign companies have made does not even come close to all the jobs already lost by ford or gm and the money still goes back overseas so let you the stupid self serving americans buy your japanese and korean autos and listen to writers like this and one day soon we will not be America the great we will be just another third rate country waiting for the Japanese to throw us a handout ! stupid

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 3:49 PM

Nickname: Jacque

Review: what happened? Has GM lost sight of its goals? Toyota has set a goal to become the number one auto producer. People used to laugh out loud when hearing that comment. Who's laughing now?

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 2:07 PM

Nickname: david

Review: GM and Ford aren't really going out of business. They're just going to declare bankrupcy. This will enable them to shed their responsibilities (burdens) to creditors and (greedy) workers. The companies will then start over with a clean slate, just like the foreign manufacturers are doing.

Date reviewed: Feb 21, 2006 1:48 PM

Nickname: LK

Review: The real story in the Michigan auto industry should someday come out. People who work in the auto dealers make about 25% of what the average UAW worker makes. We work 40 or 50 hours a week, usually without being paid overtime.

Date reviewed: Feb 17, 2006 2:56 PM