General Motors has informed its dealers that production of some of its 2008 full-size trucks and SUVs has been halted due to the ongoing American Axle strike. The affected vehicles include the GMC Yukon, Denali, Sierra heavy-duty regular and extended cab, its commercial-duty pickup and variants of Chevrolet trucks and Tahoes. According to the General, a basic lack of parts is the reason for the stoppage and dealer orders for the week of May 8th and May 15th have been cancelled. While a lack of production is bad news for any automaker, we can't help but think that it couldn't have come at a better time for the General as SUV and truck sales are down overall.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
tanooki2003 @ May 7th 2008 9:41AM
Now tell me when I am actually supposed to feel sorry for GM. I think this is actually a good thing. Less SUV's from them means I can see better out my windshield when cruising in my sports car on highways and city streets.
Also maybe they should concentrate more on making a decent small car as their next cash cow instead of these gas gobbling behemoths.
Blake @ May 7th 2008 11:23AM
Less SUV's from them as opposed to Toyota, Honda, Nissan or anyone else? Ohhh, that's right! Honda's use rose petals for fuel. And Nissan's run on pure emotion alone. And how could anyone forget that Toyota SUVs are fueled by baby flatulence. Silly me.
Zeus.:God @ May 7th 2008 9:42AM
OMG YES SUVS ARE DYING GAS HOGS BLAH BLAH BLAH GO PRIUS...
Yeah, pretty pointless- but an example of what NOT to post in here. Lets keep that type of stuff to a minimum
Thedevil @ May 7th 2008 9:44AM
Yea it's the strike.wink,wink
Adam Marcello @ May 7th 2008 9:57AM
In protest I shall remove the union sticker from my car and if the union is still being a dead weight when the time comes I will actively seek out an american car built non union in a foreign country (G8 GXP perhaps).
kris @ May 7th 2008 9:59AM
yes, UAW will not be satisfied until they kill GM.
inteller @ May 7th 2008 10:11AM
GM should make the suspension permanent.
Schmeltz @ May 7th 2008 10:11AM
Something I have been wondering the whole time the American Axle strike has been going on...Is American Axle the only cotten-pick'n company in all of the vast North American continent that has the intellectual property and skilled labor to manufacture axles??? They are doggone axles for Pete's sake! They're not advanced computer modules, or nuclear reactors, or jet engines, they are axles! Isn't that one of the things Dana makes? Is there no one that can start providing these axles shortly with say some quick re-tooling of their shops and blue-prints provided by GM with their specifications? I'm probably over-simplifying things but axles just don't sound like an issue that should be shutting down a slue of car factories.
Guenther @ May 7th 2008 10:20AM
Takes time to tool up. When axles were just that- axles- it was easy to change from Corporate axles to Dana axles. Up to the early 90's, all you really had to change was the bolt pattern and the spring perch width. Now you have to have the right brakes that go with the ABS, the right mounts, etc. If the strike suddenly ends, the work-load goes away.
CompWizrd @ May 7th 2008 10:40AM
American Axle also makes other things than just axles.
Hank @ May 7th 2008 10:18AM
Considering no one is buying them, it may turn out to be a good thing for GM, so they don't end up with the kind of inventory glut Dodge is looking at with their trucks.
BigMcLargeHuge @ May 7th 2008 10:28AM
Maybe that is why it is taking so long to get to resolution.
GM doesn't think their demands match demand for the product they support.
Scorch @ May 7th 2008 11:44AM
The unions have demonstrated that as long as GM is showing even the slightest profit they will continue to go after them. I hate to say it but people wonder why these types of jobs get sent overseas; they get done. Sadly this doesn't look like its going to end before GM declares bankruptcy and the union members lose ALL their benefits but until then the UAW will just keep asking for more and more.
Richard S. @ May 7th 2008 11:53AM
Just one question: Are these striking workers getting paid? I know that the UAW has a reserve fund, to pay striking workers a stipend, but it is not the same pay rate of their salaries and for how long can they do that before they deplete their money chest and striking workers start maxing out credit cards for living expenses?
I guess it is a battle who can withstand the bleeding the longest.
Guenther @ May 7th 2008 12:01PM
This is the second UAW strike of any lenjgthy significance this season, but both have involved relatively small numbers of members. Members get $200 a week in strike pay, which doesn't go very far. Hardest hit are families where both parents work in the same plant.
Matt @ May 7th 2008 12:57PM
OK UAW...we get it...you don't want the American manufactures to survive.
Now just die already.
gumbo koontz @ May 7th 2008 1:04PM
American axle workers struck simply because AA managed to earn a penny on the dollar. That is it... speaking of profit envy... or penis?
gumbo koontz @ May 7th 2008 1:20PM
When GM and Ford started building SUVs, know what?, SUVs were practically given away to any lead feet buyers with huge rebates. Even though SUVs are profitable, why give rebates? Were GM and Ford trying to do Big Oil a favor since the beginning? Maybe it was because GM and Ford invested some of UAW pension dollars in Big Oil stocks to bolster UAW pension coffers?? Maybe those huge rebates were UAW's own selfish idea? Was it part of previous contract talk sessions that we are not allowed to listen into? UAW are scumbags since day one, arent they?
MajorGeek @ May 7th 2008 3:12PM
Big problem here, for me? Its May. Strike ends, couple months until production ramps up. Not sure where you live, but in the northern parts of the country we dont buy cars when winter is approaching, we buy in the spring (April-May) to enjoy the new car shiny for the most amount of time. Come July or August, I might as well park my H2 until next year. Hate to be a broken record, but GM, find someone else, build your own axle plant, or American Axle is going to kill you.
Brandon C @ May 7th 2008 3:29PM
gas is to high anyways get a nice Optima save your money