Quote:
Originally Posted by potter
Well look at it this way. GM made the same sales last year as Toyota. Ford this year, is projected to have the same profit increase as Toyota.
So for a moment - keep in mind American sales aren't the reason these companies are loosing money.
Now understand this. The American auto makers are currently paying 20 years retirement to their employees. Meaning people who retire, still get paid for twenty more years.
Also, with the American auto makers their employees are under a union. The current average for mechanics is $78/hour - which includes their benefits. That's $150,000 per year for each mechanic.
This might put into perspective a little bit on why the American auto makers need a bailout right now. The economy and market cannot support those wages. This is why the American auto makers are in such debate with the union right now.
Ok. Now that we've cleared that up. Realize, that right now the American auto makers face a huge problem. A problem in which money cannot fix. Giving the auto makers more money - only supports them enough to not go bankrupt right now. They're still going to have the same problem after they receive the bailout. They'll just need another bailout in the coming months.
This is why congress is having such a hard time with this particular bailout. It won't solve the problem. It'll delay the problem for maybe a year at best.
...... Also. Congress did just bailout the credit system. With 700 billion dollars. So your point is kind of null and void. The government did take care of it's own, go read a newspaper.
|
Toyota hasn't worked inside the US as long as GM or Ford. They don't have the years of retirement and benefits that they have to pay out here at their US plants. Toyota's are also generally more expensive then their Ford or Chevy counterparts.
IMO I think it's sicking that politicians will hand over hundreds of billions to wall street crooks that produce nothing but debit, yet argue and belittle the only industry in America that actually builds something over a few billion.
Yea the big 3 fucked up but so did every one else it seems.. so why are the auto manufactures the ones paying the price. With all the jobs they create, they are a needed asset.
I wonder how much these politicians will be complaining when the big three have to close their plants and then re open them south of the boarder in a few years when the economy comes back.