Warren Brown of the Washington Post opened his article by summarizing the GM-Delphi-UAW fiasco: Delphi wants to restructure itself, the UAW is displeased and is threatenening to strike, and everyone's looking at GM.
Well, Brown writes, everyone except the American consumer.
Brown bluntly points out that, for two decades, the average consumer bought their cars, coffee, clothes, etc. without the slightest regard to the product's country of origin or manufacturer. The consumer, he writes, 'want what they want...at the best price offered.' He nixed the idea of trade protections and wrote that the consumer would watch a UAW strike with as much fascination as they would watching so-called reality television: interesting when the program's on but forgotten after the press of a foreign-made remote.
Brown states, though, that there have been signs of profitability for the struggling automaker. And many of the General's latest offerings, such as its hybrid systems, are impressive. Still, Brown goes on to say the ongoing battle among the three organizations is futile when the true goal, getting the hearts and souls of the American consumer to buy GM products, should be the objective. Having spoken with many industry insiders we tend to disagree. This menage a trois of companies may easily create a situation for themselves in which no number of hot sellers can save it. Delphi may get the chance to call the UAW's bluff, which could cause a strike that shuts down North American production for several or all of the General's key products. It doesn't matter how popular a car is if you don't have any built to sell.
[Source: Washington Post via Detroit Press]
Well, Brown writes, everyone except the American consumer.
Brown bluntly points out that, for two decades, the average consumer bought their cars, coffee, clothes, etc. without the slightest regard to the product's country of origin or manufacturer. The consumer, he writes, 'want what they want...at the best price offered.' He nixed the idea of trade protections and wrote that the consumer would watch a UAW strike with as much fascination as they would watching so-called reality television: interesting when the program's on but forgotten after the press of a foreign-made remote.
Brown states, though, that there have been signs of profitability for the struggling automaker. And many of the General's latest offerings, such as its hybrid systems, are impressive. Still, Brown goes on to say the ongoing battle among the three organizations is futile when the true goal, getting the hearts and souls of the American consumer to buy GM products, should be the objective. Having spoken with many industry insiders we tend to disagree. This menage a trois of companies may easily create a situation for themselves in which no number of hot sellers can save it. Delphi may get the chance to call the UAW's bluff, which could cause a strike that shuts down North American production for several or all of the General's key products. It doesn't matter how popular a car is if you don't have any built to sell.
[Source: Washington Post via Detroit Press]
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