Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Chrysler again offering early retirement to 23k hourly workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/report-chrysler-again-offering-early-retirement-to-23k-hourly-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/report-chrysler-again-offering-early-retirement-to-23k-hourly-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/04/report-chrysler-again-offering-early-retirement-to-23k-hourly-w/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Chrysler is again offering early retirement packages in an effort to entice some of its 23,000 hourly employees to hit the road. The buyout packages are the first offered by post-bankruptcy Chrysler, though the terms of the buyouts are very similar to earlier offerings. The Freep is reporting that all workers with at least one year of service can walk away from their current job and receive $75,000 plus a $25,000 voucher. Those who wish to participate in this program will also continue to receive health benefits for an additional six months with the option to purchase coverage for a year after that.

Retirement-eligible workers age 55-59 with a combined 85 years of service or workers age 60 or older with at least 10 years of service can receive $50,000 plus a $25,000 voucher. A third package for workers between the ages of 55 and 62 with at least 10 years of service can receive immediate full retirement benefits. The workers have two weeks to decide whether or not to take the buyout/retirement packages, as the offer will be pulled from the table November 13.

Chrysler's newest buyout program comes as many facilities across the country are either closing or have already closed. Without a jobs bank to keep paychecks coming, we're guessing the take rate could be substantial in affected areas.

[Source: Detroit Free Press | Image: Bill Pugliano/Getty]

REPORT: Chrysler again offering early retirement to 23k hourly workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyoutChryslerchrysler packagesChryslerPackagesearly retirementEarlyRetirementlayoffspackagesretirement packagesRetirementPackagesWed, 04 Nov 2009 09:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Ssangyong preparing to lay off nearly 40% of workforce by end of June? ]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/report-ssangyong-prepares-to-lay-off-nearly-40-of-workforce-by/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/report-ssangyong-prepares-to-lay-off-nearly-40-of-workforce-by/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/24/report-ssangyong-prepares-to-lay-off-nearly-40-of-workforce-by/#commentsFiled under: ,



Ssangyong Motor Company is still struggling to gain traction after it ceased production late last year and slipped into receivership earlier this year. It restarted its production lines in February, but even the company director, Lee Yu-Il, says volume is still far too slow. To deal with matters, Gasgoo reports that Ssangyong is letting go of 2,700 workers, representing 37% of its workforce.

Yu-Il said the struggling Korean firm will run out of money at the end of June, and will need 100 billion won ($75 million US) if the company is broken up -- which makes us wonder how much the company needs to stay in business and question who would supply such funds in the face of a 50% drop in sales. With majority stakeholder SAIC refusing to get involved, Ssangyong's future is looking decidedly bleak.

[Source: Gasgoo]

Ssangyong preparing to lay off nearly 40% of workforce by end of June? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Apr 2009 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asiaearningsfinancialskoreaKoreanlayoffssaicssangyongFri, 24 Apr 2009 13:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler cuts 1200 workers in Windsor, 90,000 fewer minivans expected]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/06/chrysler-cuts-1200-workers-in-windsor-90-000-fewer-minivans-exp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/06/chrysler-cuts-1200-workers-in-windsor-90-000-fewer-minivans-exp/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/06/chrysler-cuts-1200-workers-in-windsor-90-000-fewer-minivans-exp/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chrysler is cutting a shift at its Windsor minivan plant in response to slowing sales and a dreadful global economy. The plant will cease its third shift as early as June 24 and 1,200 workers will lose their source of income. The move will directly affect those with 13 total years of service or less. The shift reduction comes after the Pentastar temporarily shuttered the plant for half of December and all of January, followed by a two-weeks-on, one-week-off production cadence. The shift reduction will result in 90,000 fewer Chrysler minivans rolling off the line each year.

The Canadian Auto Workers union is reeling from this latest setback, but the 1,200 layoffs is just a fraction of the losses in Windsor over the past year. Windsor's unemployment rate is now at 10.9%, and the city expects to lose another 1,200 auto jobs when General Motors shutters its transmission plant next year.

[Source: The Star]

Chrysler cuts 1200 workers in Windsor, 90,000 fewer minivans expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler shift reductionchrysler windsor plantChryslerShiftReductionChryslerWindsorPlantlayoffsshift reductionShiftReductionFri, 06 Mar 2009 07:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Goodyear posts loss, laying off 5,000 workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/goodyear-posts-loss-laying-off-5-000-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/goodyear-posts-loss-laying-off-5-000-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/18/goodyear-posts-loss-laying-off-5-000-workers/#commentsFiled under: ,

When car sales dip like they have over the past few months, in many cases suppliers feel the pinch even more than the automakers. That's the case at Goodyear, where production is down by 19% and losses are beginning to pile up. The tire giant lost $330 million in Q4 2008, compared to a $55M profit in Q4 2007.

To help adapt to challenging times, Goodyear is tasked with reducing its operating costs by $700 million in 2009, and part of that reduction will come from layoffs. 5,000 salaried and hourly workers will be laid off, or 6.7% of Goodyear's global workforce. The workforce reduction comes on the heels of the 4,000 jobs that were already slashed in 2008.

The automotive sales nosedive has accelerated over the past six to eight months, but Goodyear, like the domestic auto industry, has been cutting back for some time. The tire giant has reduced costs by $1.8 billion over the past three years through layoffs, production cuts, and plant closings. Goodyear plans to further cut production by 15,000 to 25,000 tires to better align production with demand.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Goodyear posts loss, laying off 5,000 workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>goodyearlayoffsprouction cutsProuctionCutstiresWed, 18 Feb 2009 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[GM, Ford job cuts closing in on 50% in U.S. - Chrysler not far behind]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/13/gm-ford-job-cuts-closing-in-on-50-in-u-s-chrysler-not-far-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/13/gm-ford-job-cuts-closing-in-on-50-in-u-s-chrysler-not-far-b/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/13/gm-ford-job-cuts-closing-in-on-50-in-u-s-chrysler-not-far-b/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


In 2002, General Motors had 177,000 employees in North America. By the end of 2008, that number had shrunk to 93,000, or 49% fewer employees than it had just six years earlier. GM plans to further cut its white collar workforce by 3,400 by May of this year, and the General is looking to cut 10,000 white-collar posts globally by the end of 2009. That will make nearly 100,000 GM jobs lost; enough people to fill the University of Michigan football stadium.

Ford and Chrysler have also resorted to heavy cuts in the face of shrinking market share and an industry-wide slowdown. Ford has seen its US workforce shrink to about 65,000 workers; 44% fewer than the Blue Oval employed five years earlier. Chrysler was leaner than Ford and GM were five years ago, yet they've still shed 32,000 jobs during that time. Chrysler now employs 56,600 employees, and the Pentastar has a package out to all of its hourly workers.

It's amazing to think that by June of this year, Detroit automakers will have shed nearly 200,000 jobs in under six years. As crazy as that number sounds, we don't think anyone will be surprised if a lot more workers lose their jobs before this year is over.

[Source: bnet]

GM, Ford job cuts closing in on 50% in U.S. - Chrysler not far behind originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerdownsizedownsizingemployee cutsEmployeeCutsfordFord MotorFordMotorGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsgmlayofflayoffsFri, 13 Feb 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Nissan projects $2.9B loss, announces 20,000 job cuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/report-nissan-projects-2-9b-loss-announces-20-000-job-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/report-nissan-projects-2-9b-loss-announces-20-000-job-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/09/report-nissan-projects-2-9b-loss-announces-20-000-job-cuts/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Nissan hasn't posted an annual loss in nine years, but the automaker is poised to take a big hit on its 2008 earnings, and like the rest of the industry, it is scrambling to restructure. The Japanese carmaker is expected to report a $2.9 billion shortfall, prompting Carlos Ghosn and his team to chop 20,000 jobs - fully 8.5 percent of its employees worldwide. Some of the job losses will be arrived at through early retirement packages and the ending of temporary worker contracts, but most will be out-and-out layoffs. The personnel cuts will leave Nissan with 215,000 workers globally and take place now through March of 2010.

Nissan's planned cuts are markedly more aggressive than those employed by other Japanese automakers, suggesting that Japan's third-largest automaker is even more pessimistic about the potential for near-term economic gains. That appears to be particularly true in its domestic market, where the strong Yen and other factors have conspired to result in 12,000 of the planned job losses. Thanks for the tip, Karen!

[Source: Associated Press via ClockOnDetroit | Image: Akihiro I/Getty

REPORT: Nissan projects $2.9B loss, announces 20,000 job cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GhosnJapanjob cutsJobCutslayofflayoffsNissanMon, 09 Feb 2009 10:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Auto industry crisis leads to job losses even at strong companies]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/20/auto-industry-crisis-leads-to-job-losses-even-at-strong-companie/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/20/auto-industry-crisis-leads-to-job-losses-even-at-strong-companie/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/20/auto-industry-crisis-leads-to-job-losses-even-at-strong-companie/#commentsFiled under:

When the the Detroit automakers' financial crisis started getting more media coverage a couple of months ago, a study was released by the Center for Automotive Research estimating that the possible collapse of the industry could ultimately cost up to 3 million US jobs. That estimate is based on the several hundred thousand direct jobs, plus the affected suppliers as well as businesses in the vicinity of automotive facilities. The repercussions of the recent sales collapse are already being felt in southeast Michigan and elsewhere. Even traditionally strong companies without unions are paying the price for the current economic environment.

Take the case of TRW Automotive. TRW and some of its progenitor com,anies Kelsey-Hayes and Lucas, have long been among the strongest auto suppliers from a financial perspective. Unlike Delphi and Visteon, TRW has been consistently profitable over the years (Full disclosure: I worked at Kelsey-Hayes and later at TRW, after K-H was bought, from 1991-2007). Over the course of that time, there were only a couple of rounds of layoffs and there were never more than a few dozen people let go. Read to find out what has happened in 2008.

Continue reading Auto industry crisis leads to job losses even at strong companies

Auto industry crisis leads to job losses even at strong companies originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 12:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layofflayoffstrwtrw automotiveTrwAutomotiveSat, 20 Dec 2008 12:24:00 EST<![CDATA[GM cuts 1,100 staff at Lordstown plant to meet slowing demand]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/08/gm-cuts-1-100-staff-at-lordstown-plant-to-meet-slowing-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/08/gm-cuts-1-100-staff-at-lordstown-plant-to-meet-slowing-demand/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/08/gm-cuts-1-100-staff-at-lordstown-plant-to-meet-slowing-demand/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for more high-res shots of the Chevy Cobalt SS

Less than 2 months ago the headline here was GM ramps up Cobalt production to meet demand. It's amazing how quickly things change in this crazy environment. Just months after adding a third shift at the Lordstown, OH assembly plant where the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 are built, on Friday GM gave 1,100 employees at the facility layoff notices. The company isn't getting rid of the third shift but, it is slowing the build rate in line with current sales demand. Earlier this summer, GM was selling Cobalts as fast as they could build them and now all of a sudden, those sales have dried up. The spike was triggered by $4 gasoline, and even though gas prices have dropped to half that level, you might not expect sales to fall so fast. The real problem is the lack of available credit for financing. Most of the inherent customer base for cars like the Cobalt simply can't afford to pay cash for a new car. With credit increasingly hard to get, car sales have crashed almost across the board in October. Even the Honda Civic that sold 53,000 copies in May got just under 19,800 in October. Expect to hear more about slowdowns at other carmakers, including mighty Toyota and Honda, very soon.

[Source: Vindy.com]

GM cuts 1,100 staff at Lordstown plant to meet slowing demand originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 08 Nov 2008 10:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cobaltcreditcredit crunchcredit marketsCreditCrunchCreditMarketsg5layofflayoffslordstownlordstown ohiolordstown-ohlordstown-ohiolordstownohioSat, 08 Nov 2008 10:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Bob Nardelli to Employees: We're cutting 25% of remaining white-collar jobs]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/bob-nardelli-to-employees-we-want-a-25-cut-of-white-collar-job/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/bob-nardelli-to-employees-we-want-a-25-cut-of-white-collar-job/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/24/bob-nardelli-to-employees-we-want-a-25-cut-of-white-collar-job/#commentsFiled under: ,



"These are truly unimaginable times for our industry." That's how Chrysler CEO, Bob Nardelli, starts off a recent email to employees, just before dropping the bomb that the automaker intends to cut 25% of its salaried workforce beginning next month and continuing through the end of the year.

According to reports, Chrysler currently has 17,332 salaried workers, so 4,333 workers will be offered "voluntary" retirements and buyouts, while those who don't accept the automaker's offer, which includes "enhanced benefits" of cash and new vehicle vouchers, will be laid off. This is in addition to the 1,000 white-collar jobs Chrysler cut at the end of September.

Chrysler also plans to cut back on "all discretionary and overhead expenses and reduce capital expenditures not connected to major product programs." Nardelli admits that the company can't continue as it has in the past and that these tactics are an attempt to right-size the company to "reflect declines in volume." While we understand the trials and tribulations faced by Chrysler, Nardelli's email has a "this is going to hurt me more than you" ring to it. Judge for yourself after the jump.

Continue reading Bob Nardelli to Employees: We're cutting 25% of remaining white-collar jobs

Bob Nardelli to Employees: We're cutting 25% of remaining white-collar jobs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>25 workforce25Workforcebob nardelliBobNardellichryslerlayoffswhite collarWhiteCollarFri, 24 Oct 2008 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Chrysler to lay off 300 salaried workers this week]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/chrysler-to-lay-off-300-salaried-workers-this-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/chrysler-to-lay-off-300-salaried-workers-this-week/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/chrysler-to-lay-off-300-salaried-workers-this-week/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chrysler has been struggling with sales declines more than most automakers during this challenging economic environment, and the some of that pain will transfer to its salaried workforce. The Pentastar is laying off 300 workers today and Friday due to the automaker's inability to reach its goal of 1,000 salary job reductions through retirements. All employees have been ordered to show up for work tomorrow regardless of any vacations or if they are scheduled to work or not.

Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli told dealers yesterday that the Pentastar has lost $400 million so far in 2008, which is likely very bad news for Cerberus investors. There are very few feelings that are worse than losing a bunch of money, but we think going into work tomorrow with a real chance of being handed a box and being told to pack your things would be worse.

[Source: Automotive News subs req'd]

Chrysler to lay off 300 salaried workers this week originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>300 chrysler layoffs300ChryslerLayoffschryslerlayoffssalaried job cutsSalariedJobCutsThu, 25 Sep 2008 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota to Tundra factory workers: Get thee to a park!]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/toyota-to-tundra-factory-workers-get-thee-to-a-park/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/toyota-to-tundra-factory-workers-get-thee-to-a-park/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/24/toyota-to-tundra-factory-workers-get-thee-to-a-park/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As reported recently, even though Toyota halted Tundra production for a while, the company pledged not to lay off its workers. At a total cost of potentially $1 billion to the company, Toyota instead placed the employees in retraining and civic works programs during a Kaizen and Development Period.

What kinds of civic programs? One of them, in San Antonio, is called the City-Toyota Green Clean-Up Project, which has put up to 340 workers on the streets to "clean, paint, and plant." Factory staffers have painted curbs, picnic tables and trash cans, trimmed trees and plants, and cleaned up lots. While employees do want to get back to the factories, they're enjoying the time away and being able to give back to the city -- all the while earning their regular wages and benefits.

A second round of city improvement will begin next month. After that, Toyota expects to have all hands on deck again at the factory in November, building 2009-model-year Tundras. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: My SA News]

Toyota to Tundra factory workers: Get thee to a park! originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Sep 2008 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city toyota green clean up projectCityToyotaGreenCleanUpProjectfactorieskaizenlayoffssan antonioSanAntoniotoyotatoyota layoffstoyota san antoniotoyota tundraToyotaLayoffsToyotaSanAntonioToyotaTundratundraWed, 24 Sep 2008 10:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota refuses to lay off workers, but has great flower beds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/toyota-refuses-to-lay-off-workers-but-has-great-flower-beds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/toyota-refuses-to-lay-off-workers-but-has-great-flower-beds/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/18/toyota-refuses-to-lay-off-workers-but-has-great-flower-beds/#commentsFiled under: ,



Toyota is struggling to sell trucks and SUVs like everyone else, but unlike the competition, no full-time workers from stalled factories are getting laid off. The 4,500 workers at idled plants are instead bettering themselves through eduction by taking classes on safety, diversity, and Toyota history. They're also doing community service while on the clock and even some gardening. The workers will be learning how to work faster and smarter during the down time, and are even being shifted to busier plants on a temporary basis to help plants that are working beyond capacity to keep up with demand.

Toyota's plan to keep its workers busy at all costs isn't cheap, as about $50 million is being spent to keep workers busy with training programs. Of course, you can't please everyone and the plan isn't sitting well with all of Toyota's workforce, as workers at running factories don't like the fact that laid off workers are getting a leg up on training. A more skilled plant could have an advantage over others in getting earmarked for future products, so unaffected workers also want the extra training.

While expensive and a bit of a logistics nightmare, Toyota's plan is a good one if you can afford it. It should help create a more loyal, better trained workforce that also forges ties with the surrounding community. We bet Toyota hopes it will prevent any talk of unionizing, as well. And with Toyota's record profits over the past few years, $50 million is a drop in the corporate bucket.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req., Image: Junko Kimura/Getty]

Toyota refuses to lay off workers, but has great flower beds originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Aug 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffstoyotaToyota san antonio truck planttoyota workersToyotaSanAntonioTruckPlantToyotaWorkersMon, 18 Aug 2008 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Ford meets salaried cuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/ford-meets-salaried-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/ford-meets-salaried-cuts/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/07/ford-meets-salaried-cuts/#commentsFiled under: ,

For white collar workers that still work at the Ford Motor Company: congratulations, you've officially made the cut. Ford's President of the Americas, Mark Fields, announced at a media event that the Blue Oval has successfully achieved its targeted cuts, at least for now. Fields told reporters that Ford would "continue to look at our structure and evaluate that versus the external environment," which is fancy executive talk for "if we don't start making some money, we'll cut some more." Fields didn't reveal the exact number of cuts that were made to achieve that goal.

Ford announced in June that it would cut 15% of its salary-related costs in an effort to become more lean and conserve cash during the brutal automotive downturn. Ford is trying to conserve enough Bennies to pay for its ambitious powertrain plans that will be needed to help the Dearborn, MI automaker offer the fuel efficient vehicles customers want. Fields said that spending on engines and transmissions over the next couple years will be "unprecedented," and that Ecoboost, diesels, hybrids, and other fuel-saving technologies will get the lion's share of the spending. Ford also plans to convert three truck and SUV factories to small car production and add six European models to its product mix.

[Source: Reuters]

Ford meets salaried cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>blue ovalBlueOvaldownturnfordinvoluntary separationInvoluntarySeparationjob cutsJobCutslayoffsThu, 07 Aug 2008 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[GM to cut 5,000 salaried workers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/gm-to-cut-5-000-salaried-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/gm-to-cut-5-000-salaried-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/30/gm-to-cut-5-000-salaried-workers/#commentsFiled under: ,

General Motors is looking to reduce its salaried (read: non-unionized) workforce by 5,000 employees by the end of the year, leaving the beleaguered automaker with 27,000 white-collar jobs in total. This 15% head-count reduction is part of an ongoing effort to trim costs as the automaker continues to hemorrhage cash.

Also on the docket are early retirement plans offered to a select group of workers close to retirement age, while employees who choose to stay won't be getting raises until 2010 at the earliest. If GM reaches its reduction goals, the automaker will have shed its salaried workforce by 17,000 people in the last decade alone.

[Source: The Detroit News]

GM to cut 5,000 salaried workers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Jul 2008 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buyoutgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmgm layoffsGmLayoffslayoffsWed, 30 Jul 2008 18:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Job and brand cuts from GM on the horizon]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/job-and-brand-cuts-from-gm-on-the-horizon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/job-and-brand-cuts-from-gm-on-the-horizon/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/07/job-and-brand-cuts-from-gm-on-the-horizon/#commentsFiled under: , ,

FOLLOW UP: Tony Cervone, a GM spokesperson, has told Bloomberg that HUMMER is the only brand the General is considering selling or closing.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that General Motors is looking to cut thousands of white-collar jobs and sell, or stop production, of some if its brands. The General has supposedly set 2010 as a target for its return to profitability, but the automaker has never announced any details on how it plans to achieve that goal.

GM's management team will be meeting with the board early next month to discuss raising additional cash, and that could mean seriously pruning GM's bloated brand portfolio. HUMMER is supposedly already on the block, but Chevrolet and Cadillac - brands at the core of GM's business - are likely safe from the ax. However, Buick, Pontiac, Saab and Saturn, which haven't fared well during the biggest U.S. sales slump in 15 years, could possibly be sold or killed completely.

While it deserves note that all of this information comes from unnamed WSJ sources, GM's recent stock plunge and abysmal June sales numbers means something has to be done, and quick. If that entails cutting underperforming brands, so be it -- nostalgia be damned.

[Source: WSJ (Sub. Req.) via Reuters]

Job and brand cuts from GM on the horizon originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>brand cutsBrandCutsbreakingfiringsgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmlayoffswhite collar layoffsWhiteCollarLayoffsMon, 07 Jul 2008 08:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota lays off 200 temp workers at Tundra plant]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/toyota-lays-off-200-temp-workers-at-tundra-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/toyota-lays-off-200-temp-workers-at-tundra-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/18/toyota-lays-off-200-temp-workers-at-tundra-plant/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Toyota Tundra

The full-size pickup truck woes continue to worsen, leaving even mighty Toyota little choice but to slow production of its Tundra model. In fact, Toyota's brand new plant in San Antonio that was built just for the Tundra will be shutting down a total of 14 days between now and October. Full-time workers at the plant will be able to use vacation days, take the time off unpaid or find something else at the plant to do while the assembly line is halted.

Unfortunately, temp-to-hire workers aren't so lucky. Two-hundred employees who were hoping to land full-time positions at the plant will be laid off this summer. Toyota spokesman Mike Goss says, "We have a very long-term view of that factory in Texas. We're trying not to overreact. We're trying not to shut it down." Whoa... back up. Shut it down? We hadn't heard any such thing until it was spoken by Goss. Sounds like things are just as bad for Toyotas with beds as they are for pickups from Detroit. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited


[Source: AP via My San Antonio]

Toyota lays off 200 temp workers at Tundra plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Blame the plunging greenback. Less than a week after BMW announced the expansion of their U.S. Spartanburg plant, we are getting news from Germany that the weak dollar is making it increasingly difficult for the German automaker to keep production on their soil and that layoffs are imminent. Ernst Baumann, BMW's head of personnel, said 5,600 jobs in Germany will be cut by the end of the year. When you add that to the 2,500 positions already eliminated, the total represents about 7.6-percent of BMW's workforce.

While the layoffs are bad news for German factory workers, the flip side of the coin may benefit their American counterparts. With the value of the Euro sitting at more than $1.50 at current exchange rates, European automakers are finding manufacturing on U.S. soil more attractive (read that "cost effective") than ever. BMW manufactured about 155,000 vehicle on U.S. soil last year. By 2012, that number is planned to approach 240,000 cars. BMW sales worldwide reached 198,628 in January and February, up from 191,357 the same period last year. With the new BMW 1 Series and BMW X6 models hitting showrooms in 2008, BMW is forecasting yet another year of increased sales.

[Source: Detroit News]

BMW to increase U.S. production in 2012 while cutting jobs in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWEmploymentFiringHiringJobsLayoffsManufacturingMon, 10 Mar 2008 14:04:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW planning big layoff in 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/21/bmw-planning-big-layoff-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/21/bmw-planning-big-layoff-in-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/21/bmw-planning-big-layoff-in-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,

We're so used to hearing that either GM, Ford or Chrysler will be laying off a chunk of its workforce that it demands a double-take when another automaker announces cuts. Today BMW has announced that it will cut thousands of jobs in 2008, with some outlets reporting up to 8,000 workers will get the axe. A spokesman for BMW revealed that most of the jobs lost would be in Germany and those leaving the company would predominantly be temporary workers. If the final number does reach 8,000 employees, that means BMW will shed 8% of its global workforce that currently stands at 108,000 employees. The layoffs are, of course, a cost-cutting measure to improve profits, which will likely be down in 2007 compared to the year before because BMW is spending more money than it expected on new models, new technology research and the raw cost of materials it needs to build its Ultimate Driving Machines. Though the news will be painful to hear for the workers that lose their jobs, it came as sweet music to the ears of investors who are currently pushing up the price of BMW shares.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

BMW planning big layoff in 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Just days after the news that the second production shift would be eliminated at the Hamtramck assembly plant, comes word of more cuts. The second shift at the Pontiac MI truck plant will be dropped in May 2008. The plant currently builds 45 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups per hour on two shifts. GM has not said what the production rate will be on a single shift or how many people would be laid off. Sales of big pickups have declined as casual customers have shifted to smaller vehicles and crossovers due to high fuel prices. The decline of the housing market has also hit pickup sales as construction starts have fallen.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Another GM manufacturing shift bites the dust! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>layoffspontiac-truck-plant-layoffsSat, 20 Oct 2007 16:08:00 EST<![CDATA[GM to cut 1,000 jobs in Oshawa]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/31/gm-to-cut-1-000-jobs-in-oshawa/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The housing crisis is being blamed for decreased truck sales. In light of the credit crunch, fewer loans are being disbursed and fewer construction workerss are actually at work. With GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado sales taking the hit, GM has decided to cut a shift at its Oshawa, ON plant in Canada. In a factory that employs 3,000 people, that's a direct loss of 1,000. The indirect job losses won't be known for a while, as GM's suppliers and the businesses around the plant make cuts of their own. It represents the first time the plant has run just two shifts since the early nineties.

The move is more regrettable news for the CAW following Ford's closing its Windsor plant and Chrysler's plan to shed 2,000 union jobs in Ontario. With 85% of the Oshawa plant's output coming south of the border, the 7% drop in sales for the two trucks has made them especially susceptible. The potential light on the horizon is that GM plans to build a state-of-the-art factory next to the Oshawa truck plant to build 500,000 cars per year -- but only after closing one of the two car plants that are currently there. It's quite a fall for the region; GM's Oshawa Plant No. 1 was the most efficient plant in North America in 2004.

Thanks for the tip, Peter!

[Source: Report on Business via Auto North]

GM to cut 1,000 jobs in Oshawa originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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