

Hot on the
[Source: Detroit News]
Posted Dec 22nd 2008 6:02PM


Isn't it curious when Hyundai/Toyota/Honda get into trouble, they immediately tell management "No bonuses" but when Detroit runs into trouble it claims it has to pay bonuses to retain the "valuable talent" that helped run it into the ground? No wonder the U.S. auto industry is about to be nationalized.
December 23 2008 at 8:41 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyBigWill,
I fully concur. This must be some cultural difference with the US lagging woefully behind. Here in the US, it is a "battle" between management and the workers and/or union. Elsewhere, there is as much concern for the folks lower down on the totem pole that actually do the work. While congress was busy nitpicking UAW pay scales, there is little attention in the auto loan details paid to reigning in top executive and management salaries. In fact, I'd like to see a bottom line comparison. While I am generally not a union supporter and I do consider myself very pro-capitalist and pro-free market, it gets real old hearing of CEOs taking home seven and eight figure salaries and bonuses. No one is worth that. That's especially true in this current economic climate. We seriously needs some regulation here in the US to reign in the stupidity. We need more visibility into pay scales, perks, and bonuses and we especially need to employ more deferred compensation for executives. That way they are forced to make long term profitability decisions for a company rather than knee-jerk, get rich quick schemes. If the company doesn't survive five years down the road, the executive doesn't get paid. This would put an end to the endless string of mergers that temporarily boost stock prices but ultimately fail.
I would also like to see some pay ratio employed so that executive pay is limited to perhaps no more than 100 times the average pay of the employees. So if the average pay was $50K/yr, the CEO would be limited to $5M/yr. ...which is still overly generous.
I hope they don't slow development and release of vehicles like the new Forte' and the Soul. These will be hot hot sellers, perhaps especially in this economy. I'm really hoping the Forte' will be available in a 2 door also. Toyota made a big mistake in delaying their joint venture with Subaru for the new compact 2 door.
The Forte Coupe is coming to the U.S.
Has the Genesis really been selling that well? Although, there is a Genesis on the street opposite mine. It looks REALLY nice!
December 22 2008 at 8:01 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyShouldn't the title read, "...2009..." Afterall if you're slashing forecasts for 2008, I'd say you're about 11 3/4 months too late, or maybe they had some really lofty sales goals for the next 8 days and realized that the holidays got in the way.
December 22 2008 at 7:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyIs busses a word?
December 22 2008 at 6:16 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyAccording to dictionary.com it is. Either buses or busses can be the plural form of bus.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bus
Hyundai picked a GREAT time to start making good cars. Just in time for noone to be able to afford em.
I think its so funny how the world is seeing what happens when Americans suddenly lose the ability to buy sht on credit. The whole goddamned world unravels.