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CyberSurvey: Chrysler's goals
Chrysler plans to introduce 11 new or refreshed models by 2014, achieve profitability in 2011, increase market share Those are "stretch goals", therefore, they are not all going to be met. Chrysler needs to focus on niche products that only Chrysler can excel at. It needs to be more like Apple than Microsoft, to use a technology metaphor. The idea is to make big money, not to become a big company.
CyberSurvey: Ford profits, UAW contract collide
UAW was being self-centered and short-sighted in rejecting Ford's contract concessions. Ford opted not to take a government bailout, unlike GM and Chrysler, but it's in no better shape, financially. Ford is in debt for $27 billion. It bet its farm when it took the large line of credit before the credit crunch. In the face of the global competition, UAW can no longer call all the shots!
CyberSurvey: Reject Ford contract changes?
UAW members are, obviously, not worried about losing their jobs if they vote against contract changes negotiated by their own leader. That's their prerogative but they shouln't complain if their jobs are off-shored. Ford, with its tens of billions of dollars of debt, is in no better shape than GM and Chrysler. Thus, Ford-UAW contract should be similar to the contracts UAW has with GM and Chrysler.
CyberSurvey: Teamsters get the boot
One of the reasons, albeit not the only reason, GM and Chrysler were teetring at the edge of bankruptcy was because of high wages of unionized workers. The last thing we want to do is to force those companies to use union car haulers. Why can't unions cut their wages to make them more competitive in the global marketplace?
CyberSurvey: Can Chrysler tap luxury market?
Anybody thinking of buying a luxury brand thinks about Mercedes, Cadillac, Lexus and Infiniti, not Chrysler which is currently associated with poor quality. Chrysler used to have the reputation of being an innovative company that came up with products like Jeep and Minivan. Maybe they need to revive that reputation by coming up with innovative products.
CyberSurvey: Communicating while driving
We must ban texting and calling while driving; it's a public health issue, not an individual freedom issue. But people also have to use common sense and refrain from eating, applying makeup or engaging in serious discussions while driving, for all the activities that distract the driver from driving have a potential to cause accidents, injuries and deaths.
CyberSurvey: Chinese tire tariffs
The last thing we need is risking a trade war, especially, in the context of the Great Recession that may or may not be over, yet, therefore, I don't support the punitive tariff on Chinese tire imports. Let's not forget that China finances our budget deficits and national debt. You don't pick a fight with your financier! I would prefer trade talks with China to be held privately, behind the scene.
CyberSurvey: Short supply
Bonuses are given to executives for making profit for the company and to reward them for their excellent performance. Executives that cause a company to file for bankrupcy should be summarily fired, instead of offering bonuses to them.
CyberSurvey: Closing the door on clunkers
I don't have any clunkers to sell but I strongly endorse the "cash for clunkers" program. This was the best stimulus the economy has received so far. It was a win-win program. It was good for the auto industry, good for the auto dealers, good for the auto workers, good for the consumers, good for environment, and good for energy security in terms of reduced gasoline consumption.
CyberSurvey: GM's future lineup
Chevorlet Volt, with its "230 miles per gallon" fuel efficiency wins hands down, as far as I am concerned, especially, in light of the fact that gasoline will be costing $4.00 per gallon in less than a year, as the global economy picks up. Besides, we should support the new GM if they come up with good products because the taxpayers' money is invested in the company.
Mulally_0730
Mulally is a remarkably successful CEO, akin to Jack Welch of GE and Lee Iaococca of Chrysler. It would be a shame if he is let go because of age! We can't argue with success. While GM and Chrsler needed government bailouts to survive, Ford refused the bailout and that's a testament to Ford and its CEO, Mulally.
CyberSurvey: Bill to stop dealer closings gets boost
Closing of auto dealerships stemmed from the bankruptcy of GM and Chrysler so as to rein in the cost of operation. What's the point in leaving all the dealerships open if there are not enough vehicles for them to sell?
CyberSurvey: Penske buys Saturn
Yes, I am optimistic about Penske's ability to make Saturn profitable, considering his no-nonsense approach to solving problems, his love for Detroit, his business acumen and most importantly, his Midas touch.
CyberSurvey: Bankruptcy ripples
Michigan's share of the total job loss, as a result of GM's bankruptcy, would be about 42 percent and that doesn't count the trickle-down impact on suppliers, stores, real estate and other segments of the state's economy, like local governments. What's bad for Michigan is bad for the City of Detroit and that's where I live and that's what pays for my retirement benefits, therefore, the bankruptcy will have a major impact on my family.
CyberSurvey: New GM/UAW pact
Considering that GM is teetering on the edge of bankrupcy, UAW, along with all the stakeholders, need to do everything they can to help the company and if that means UAW ratifying the revised contract, then so be it! UAW cannot expect to draw blood from a turnip, anyway!
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