General Motors

Before we begin, let us state clearly that this is speculation by Karl Denninger at The Market Ticker. Examining the various stakeholders' interests in General Motors, Denninger has come up with a scenario that supposes GM's bondholders might actually want the automaker to file for bankruptcy. The bondholders appear to be the biggest obstacle to restructuring. They're not allowing GM to reach its government-mandated target for debt reduction because they would lose much of their investment in the process. According to Denninger, however, the biggest and most savvy of those bondholders could get 100% of their investment back if GM files for bankruptcy. Those bondholders …

The Teardown Artists First, buy the hottest new car on the lot. Then rip it to pieces. Inside GM's chop shop, they take (apart) the competition very seriously. By Carl Hoffman A silver Lexus RX 400h hybrid SUV is suspended on a lift in a room the size of a soccer field at the General Motors Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. It was purchased off the lot just a few days ago for $49,000, loaded, which seems a waste, since it's already a carcass. Mechanic John Klucka has removed its tires and engine and doors and seats and dashboard and, well, just about everything but a few wires and the windshield. "This is a complicated vehicle," he says, unbolting the engine from …

Wagoner: Restructuring Should Lift GM Bottom Line This Year By Scott Anderson WardsAuto.com, Jun 6, 2006 3:40 PM General Motors Corp. should start seeing the benefits of its massive cost-cutting initiative in the third and fourth quarters, Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner tells reporters following the auto maker’s annual shareholders meeting today. Wagoner tells stockholders GM is seeing progress on its turnaround plan, the basics of which he outlined at last year’s annual meeting. That blueprint includes closing nine facilities and eliminating up to 30,000 hourly jobs in North America through attrition and buyout programs by the end of 2008. But Wagoner warns …

Here is a link to the wonderul, well researched article in the Toronto Star today: www.thestar.com/Business/article/533168 Not sure if that is how you do it, but that is the article in this rag today. This rag never ceases to amaze me with their hatred of the U.S., and Detroit. Anyway, here is the text of the email that I sent this ass-clown, David Olive: I used the description of: Toyota called: your check is in the mail, followed by, "I am speechless. Your meager understanding of the auto industry is breathtaking. I don't quite know where to start. I guess the part that angered me the most is where you give the illusion that Washington someho…

This is the daily cartoon in the Toronto Star today. I seriously have no idea how they find this $h! funny. This is Canada's biggest daily newspaper. Their hatred for Detroit knows no bounds.

Thinking about the recent thread of Buickman's "Return To Greatness" and the struggles GM has in overcoming the perception gap they face with import automakers, I decided to conduct my own little, very unscientific, yet real-world look at demand for GM cars in my little corner of the world in southern California. I took 30-40 minutes today and drove through some of the parking lots at the Aliso Viejo Town Center in my city and counted 237 cars. The Town Center is a mix of retail, bars, restaurants, and a 20-screen theatre adjacent to numerous office parks and a medical center. In case you are curious about the demographics and population of this area.…

http://www.autoextremist.com/ December 3, 2008 America speaks, and Washington is forced to listen. By Peter M. De Lorenzo Washington. The battle drums are beating along the Potomac, and the message ringing unmistakably loud and clear in the ears of Senators and congressional representatives is this: The U.S automobile industry doesn’t begin and end with Detroit, southeast Michigan and the Midwest – a city, a state and a region that have apparently become expendable to the powers that be in Washington – but rather its tentacles spread out across the union in a powerful network of small and large businesses alike, from the local auto dealer franchise in small-town A…

I've read a report today that GM plans to cut the number of platforms and engines for its vehicles by like half in the next several years. Pretty much what a lot of us here have been harping on for a good while here at C&G... FEWER PLATFORMS, MORE VARIANTS PER PLATFORM leads to BETTER QUALITY and MORE PROFITS. How should this shake out? Post your general overview of what you think GMNA should consist of circa 2016.

http://www.allautoreviews.com/auto_reviews...zuki-.swift.htm

The yen is getting weaker. it has risen to 117 yen to the dollar. experts say the yen could go to 120 to the dollar by years end and 125 early in the new year. from near 100 to 125 yean per dollar is a great profit maker for the Japanese auto makers.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/30/toyota-...ra-in-baja-500/ bet the exec's in Japan aren't too happy about this.

From Edmunds... No more Fullsize BOF GM SUV's? I really would like to doubt this if this is true it is so stupid, they still sell pretty well considering there size and fuel economy. I mean it is a simple spin-off of a Sierra/Silverado don't tell me they are willing to exit this market even though it is shrinking and still own it just like they did 10 years ago.

Report says China’s military likely to add to Beijing-Washington strains WASHINGTON - The Pentagon is warning China in blunt language that despite Beijing’s massive military buildup, it lacks the power for a successful attack against rival Taiwan. The annual report on China’s military, released Friday, is likely to add to rising tension between Washington and Beijing at a time when U.S. lawmakers are considering bills that would punish China for what they contend are predatory trade practices. The report was released on the day the largest high-level Chinese delegation ever to visit the United States left Washington after economic meetings with frustrated lawmakers and…

You have an unspecified number of injuries from a non experienced workforce that think the work is too easy. You also have new, younger, untrained employees running slow all day and "in the hole" per say. This is happening at many different plants. There BusinessWeek...I just gave you ammo for another story.

http://www.financialpost.com/most_popular/...html?id=1143469 Remember all that talk of NOT eliminating divisions. This guy gets it.

In america, it used to be considered good business for corporations to take care of their employees, contribute to the community and have pride in what they produce and how they produce it. This sense of pride then carried over into the workers as they bought goods and services offered by their fellow country men, not only because they had a vested stake in the success of their society, but also because those goods and services were the best in the world. Fast forward to today, where Wall Street calls the shots and everything at a corporation boils down to profit and sound cost structure. It doesn't matter if the employees are sick or dying. It doesn't matter if the com…

You know, Thomas Friedman is one of the more moderate writers at the NYT and what he writes usually is sensible and presents both sides of the story. But today he penned the most hysterical anti-GM editorial which has appeared in newspapers across the country. He says that GM is the most destructive company in America. He says that GM makes SUVs that consume lots of oil and send money to the Middle East. He said that GM's new plan to subsidize gasoline will send even more money to the Middle East and result in many Americans being killed. He has called for GM to be taken over by Toyota for the safety of the country. The whole thing was foaming-at-the-mouth hysteric…

i got the new consumer reports with the sports sedan write up. im a newbie by the way, hope you dont hold that agaist me. anyway so, in this issue there were 6 cars. the lexus won. the main low point was that it, "lacks a sporty feel" this is the sports sedans. i thought it funny. they also tested the cts. it placed above the MB c230. but it was 11th of the 18th listed. this gets better. the lexus was bested by the hybrid honda accord and vw passat. the tl won overall. the 'ac. they also made special mention that all models came with base engine and automatic tranns. the audi did well but said a lot of bad things about it. engine noise and rid…

This year is going to be an incredibly life changing year for everybody related to the auto world. From employees being offered in excess of $100k that have over 30 years of service to a company to retire to the overall down sizing work force of manufacturing jobs. Looking at things, it's really kinda sad, yet sobering. What many people fail to realize is that people often tend to not retire because they have given their entire lives to General Motors, Delphi, or any other automotive manufacturer that they know no better. These workers have a family away from a family, and often times many can't leave their brothers or sisters in their UAW local. When people say that …

* Azia Avto will assemble and distribute Chevrolet Captiva, Epica and Lacetti * First Chevrolets on display at Astana Motor Show this week * Strong market growth expected in next five years Astana — The first Chevrolets assembled by General Motors' partner, Azia Avto, in Ust-Kamenogorsk, go on show in the Kazakh capital, Astana, today. The Chevrolet Captiva SUV, Epica sedan and Lacetti compact models are assembled from kits supplied from General Motors' South Korean manufacturing facilities (GM DAT). The assembly of 1500 units this year and more than 3000 in 2008 will put Chevrolet in a strong position in a market with significant growth potential. Kazakhstan,…

Tiger to Become Spokesman for Other GM Brands? Tiger Woods might one day stump for General Motors brands other than Buick. The broader role could be part of an aggressive marketing effort to revive the Buick, Pontiac and GMC brands in 2007. A new GMC crossover vehicle, the Acadia, is arriving in dealerships. Buick dealers will get a similar vehicle, the Enclave, next year. Pontiac, meanwhile, might receive a new entry-level car similar to the G5, John Larson, GM's general manager of Pontiac-Buick-GMC, said during a recent event here. The brands' sales are down so far this year (see box), although GM's drive to trim fleet sales accounts for some of the decline. The n…

This is a long a term strategy and may be the thing needed to make GM cars wanted by the public again. I think that GM needs to bring the Holden and Opel nameplates to N. America. I don't wanna get rid of Buick, Pontiac, or Saturn, but I think the names need to be changed. Pontiacs and Buicks are just not in people's minds anymore when they think of buying a car. They are not considered 'cool' cars to own. If GM brings over those 2 new nameplates, I really think GM could make more sales. After all, those would be considered import autos, even though they're GM. When you tell someone you bought a new Buick or Pontiac, you shouldn't have to …

Todd Lassa, in an editorial for Motor Trend, has given his opinion for GM and Ford's rear-wheel-drive strategies. He makes product suggestions for Cadillac, Buick, Pontiac, and Chevrolet. See if you agree. For a direct link, click here.

GM @ Tokyo Suzuki Palette The Palette is a minicar aimed at parents who cherish time with their children, and at young drivers who like having fun with their friends. Combining emotionally appealing styling cues with a cabin roomy enough for four people, Palette delivers a level of comfort unprecedented among minicars. It also boasts revolutionary packaging, with left and right-hand powered sliding doors and a low, flat floor for maximum convenience.

GM @ Tokyo Suzuki Kizashi 2 Concept After wowing the car world with Concept Kizashi at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, Suzuki will unveil Concept Kizashi 2 – a crossover sports wagon – at Tokyo Motor Show. The Kizashi 2 design conveys the dynamism of a top athlete and inspires a powerful sense of excitement. Conceived for energetic people from all walks of life, Concept Kizashi 2 has an aesthetically pleasing form that reflects a dual focus on status and vitality in a way that generates excitement about its performance and heightens the pleasure of ownership. Under the bonnet a 3.6-litre V6 – the biggest engine ever used by Suzuki – is mated to a six-speed automatic …

Put it in neutral, and take a few minutes to get some understanding (and humor) about Tom Friedman from financial expert Bill Bonner... http://dailyreckoning.com/Issues/2005/DRUS120905.html The Daily Reckoning PRESENTS: Bill often mentions that he makes a point to read Thomas Friedman’s NY Times column - not because agrees with the imperial columnist’s musings...but because he finds that that Friedman’s “hollow thoughts” always seem to brighten his day in their absurdity... SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Bill Bonner The force of a correction is equal and opposite to the deception and delusion that preceded it. Alan Greenspan, George W. Bush, and all the great na…

GM Promises to Stay in Front of Power and Fuel Economy auto123.com By Alex Law Aug. 31, 2005 In terms of offering consumers the most fuel-efficient models and the most high-performance models, it turns out that no company comes close to General Motors. It further turns out that this is not an accident, nor a temporary situation, nor a mantel (or a pair of mantels) that GM has any intention of giving up. So says Tom Stephens, who should know and be listened to on this point. Stephen is after all GM Powertrain's group vice-president (a capital "S" serious job inside the world's largest car company), and he is the man most responsible for develop…

TOM WALSH Auto merger would limit the bleeding BY TOM WALSH • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST • November 4, 2008 Forget about whether General Motors Corp. acquiring Chrysler LLC makes any sense. Don't get caught up in the semantic debate about whether federal intervention in the fates of Chrysler, GM and Ford Motor Co. is a bailout, a rescue or descent into a socialist hellhole. The drama over Detroit's future, which resumes after a brief intermission for today's election, boils down to two words: damage control... http://www.freep.com/article/20081104/COL0...1014/BUSINESS01 After the dust from the General Election settles I expect "President Obama" (fingers crosse…

Tom Walsh: You know GM's back in black when... When will we know that General Motors Corp. has fully emerged from its 30-year funk? This question arises as GM Chairman Rick Wagoner, Vice Chairman Bob Lutz and other GM brass begin walking and talking with a touch of swagger now that they've run off pesky billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, who cashed out his 10% GM stake, and brushed off SuperCEO Carlos Ghosn of Renault and Nissan in his bid to lure GM into a super-synergistic-sucker's auto alliance. Things are indeed looking up for GM, but remember, this is still a company only 11 months removed from a $10.6-billion loss in 2006. So how can we tell when GM has really turned th…

IIRC, GM is set to give congress their plan tomorrow. Can't say I have a good feeling about what might be in it, but we shall see. EDIT: Has anyone else noticed that the usual GM posters have been absent from the web recently? Makes me think that word must have come down from on high that no internet posting would be allowed. Rather ominous, huh?

Tonight at 10pm CNBC is showing Saving General Motors again, but they have updated it. Be sure to tune in. *I was watching TV and realized i put the wrong channel before, its CNBC!

MSN Auto Top American Auto's Pictures Here is the full story on Auto's American cannot live without. The link above is purely the pictures, nicely done. Link below is the story to read about. Not a bad piece in my opinion. Auto's American Cannot live without!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZabkkOoTHk Man they know how to have fun...wish I could do something like that.

BY KATIE MERX • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • September 21, 2008 As General Motors Corp. prepared for its centennial last week, the Free Press had a chance to talk with its top executives about when they first became aware of the corporation beyond the car brands and how they began their tenures there. Here are their stories: RICK WAGONER, chairman and CEO As a child riding the school bus in Richmond, Va., Wagoner rooted for what is now the other team. But it was through a rivalry with a fellow school-bus rider, and Chevrolet fan, that he became aware of GM as an entity in and of itself. "When I was a kid, whether I was 10 years old or 8 years old, on the school …

"General Motors plans to purchase Cobasys outright" Shortly after reports of leaky batteries coming from Cobasys, which greatly slowed the production of GM's mild hybrid vehicles, such as the Saturn Vue and Aura hybrids and Chevy Malibu hybrid, comes a report from Automotive News which suggests that General Motors may just purchase the troubled battery maker outright. That's one way to manage the problem, wouldn't you say? Though GM would own 100-percent of Cobasys, some sort of partnership is said to be in the works, though that other entity remains unknown. Before this announcement, Chevron and Energy Conversion Devices, co-owners of the battery supplier, had been …

Top GOP leaders sending message to Big 3: Drop dead Advertisement GET FREE HEADLINES BY E-MAIL Printer friendly version Comment on this story Send this story to a friend Get Home Delivery B ig-name Republicans are tramping around Michigan -- Karl Rove is expected at a fundraiser today in Grosse Pointe, Republican National Committee chairman Ken Mehlman is campaigning for Senate hopeful Mike Bouchard and President Bush is rumored to be planning a campaign swing next month. But meet with Detroit's automakers? Nah, why should the president care whether U.S.-owned automakers, burdened by fierce foreign competition and cumulative decisions that threaten to swamp …

News Lease guide forecasts high residual value for Pontiac Solstice ARLENA SAWYERS | Automotive News Posted Date: 12/16/05 The Pontiac Solstice will keep its value better than any other new 2006 domestic-brand vehicle, Automotive Lease Guide predicts. The guide, which sets residual value standards for the industry, predicts the Solstice will hold 54.0 percent of its sticker price after three years. The roadster has a base price of $19,995, including shipping. Among domestic vehicles, the Solstice is second only to the 2006 Dodge Viper. The guide projects the Viper to retain 60.0 percent of its sticker price after three years. A residual value of more than 50 perc…

DETROIT, Sept. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- OnStar announced today it has added a significant and new subscriber service to its industry-leading in-vehicle communications portfolio. The new "only GM" service, OnStar Vehicle Diagnostics, automatically performs hundreds of diagnostic checks on four key GM vehicle operating systems -- the engine/transmission, anti-lock brake, airbag and OnStar. The vehicle is automatically programmed to send the results via email to the owner each month. The unique email report also provides maintenance reminders based on the vehicle's current odometer reading, remaining engine oil-life and other relevant vehicle ownership and OnStar sub…

Toyota will announce a new strategy and a new 'plug in' today. Hint: It has nothing to do with Glade or air fresheners, but it'll roil the atmosphere somewhat. GM's been beating the Volt drum for some time now, and along comes Toyota in an attempt to grab themselves a share of the 'glory' attached to the debate. the link: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article...1/80611032/1014

TOKYO (AP) - Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Hiroshi Okuda said Tuesday he believes General Motors Corp. will likely receive support from the U.S. government if it faces further trouble. "I have the feeling that GM is in a difficult situation," Okuda was quoted as saying by Hisako Komai, a spokeswoman for the Nippon Keidanren, Japan's most influential business lobby. Okuda heads the lobby. "But the auto industry is a symbol of the United States, and if GM faces further difficulty, I don't think the U.S. government will leave it," he was quoted as saying at a press conference for the organization. Okuda's remarks came as Japan's top automaker tries to overtake the strugg…

http://blogs.automobilemag.com/6283606/gre...eaks/index.html Waa waa, suck it up Toyota. It sure was great when you were getting tax rebates on the Prius and your government was funding your hybrid engine development. Now it's someone else's time to shine.

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2006/10/09/ap3075322.html I am just happy to see Toyota is losing their grip. not so easy once you get close to the top is it!!

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Shares of Toyota Motor Corp., first traded in 1949, rose to a record on optimism U.S. sales will grow, making the company's market value more than 14 times larger than that of General Motors Corp., the world's biggest producer of vehicles. Toyota shares, which have gained 41 percent this year, rose 4.4 percent to 5,890 yen at the close of trading in Tokyo, as a report yesterday showed U.S. factory production rose by the most in 17 months, which may spur demand. Toyota is forecasting its 12th consecutive sales record in the U.S. this year and the company's fourth consecutive year of record profit. That contrasts with GM, which has…

Toyota to Upgrade NUMMI Japan's top carmaker Toyota says it is upgrading a US plant equally owned with ailing General Motors, which has been negotiating an alliance with the French-Japanese Renault-Nissan group. But Toyota Motor Corp., widely seen as set to overtake GM as the world's top vehicle maker, denied that the new investment in the California plant was aimed at strengthening its partnership with the US car giant. Read "Toyota upgrading joint US plant with GM" @ Yahoo

its a sad day... http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=3071399

Link To Article

Tracinda pledges GM stock as collateral for loan Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:59 AM ET WASHINGTON, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. said in a regulatory filing on Wednesday that it is pledging its common shares of General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) as collateral to secure loans of $200 million or more. Tracinda recently disclosed that it had boosted its stake in GM to 9.9 percent, after U.S. antitrust authorities said they would not oppose a plan by Tracinda, Kerkorian's investment arm, to increase its stake to that level. The plans also include the possibility of Tracinda seeking a seat on the automaker&…

Tracinda Steps Up Pressure on GM By Nat Worden TheStreet.com Staff Reporter 1/10/2006 2:08 PM EST Kirk Kerkorian's firm, Tracinda, called on General Motors (GM:NYSE - commentary - research - Cramer's Take) Tuesday to pare back its dividend payments to shareholders and adopt a comprehensive "equality of sacrifice" plan to revive its business. The firm said its adviser, Jerome York, presented a plan for GM at the Society of Automotive Analysts that included cutting the company's annual dividend by 50%. York also is seeking a "substantial" reduction in payments and salaries for the company's top brass. "The reality is that all constituencies -- the companies themselv…

GM reregistered the name 'Fiero' in June/06. On October 06/06, the name 'Firebird' will be 'published for opposition'. This is a required step in the trademark process. This republication suggests that the name may be used again.

Trojan Horse At GM's Door by Rick Ackerman Thursday, Dec 08 What the heck could GM investors be thinking? A surge in the stock late yesterday cut the DJIA’s losses nearly in half, but you’d have to be a cynic to believe the celebration was warranted. The news that caused GM shares to rise 2.9 percent in mere minutes concerned the growing likelihood that Kirk Kerkorian, a 9.9% stakeholder, will get a seat on GM’s board. Kerkorian’s hatchet-man, Jerome York, managed to squeeze impressive tribute from Chrysler when he was installed on that company’s board a decade ago, but the auto manufacturers were on the threshold of a cyclical upswing then that eventually turned…

Truck line may be for sale International may buy GM's medium-duties FLINT THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION Sunday, May 13, 2007 By Todd Seibt [email protected] • 810.766.6315 FLINT - General Motors is considering selling its medium-duty truck line, which employs about 500 people at the Flint Truck Assembly Plant, but there is no firm deal yet, sources said. And right now, the UAW, wrapped in thorny national contract negotiations with GM and Delphi Corp., doesn't see a good reason to approve any such move. "We are aware of these ongoing talks between the parties," said Cal Rapson of Clayton Township, vice president of the UAW's GM and Delphi departments. Whi…

Tulsa Transit Enlists GM Hybrid Bus Note: Not actual bus. General Motors reported today that Tulsa, Oklahoma has become the 33rd city to invest in their hybrid bus technology. The benefits of the hybrid bus come in the form of increased fuel economy and lower emissions compared to diesel buses. GM also cites lower maintainence costs, faster acceleration and quieter operation as additional pluses. "This new hybrid bus is a great addition to our fleet,” said Tulsa Transit General Manager Bill Cartwright. “It will serve as a reminder to all of us that we really do have clean air transportation alternatives available. This is important because Tulsa has serious air quali…

Look for a long bed version on a tow truck near you...Gee, how much do you think the longbed version will shake on Ford's proving ground??? Hell the damned thing might FLY!

Link to article END OF THE ROAD Thomas Cadillac Of Hartford, Parsons Chevrolet Of Farmington Shut Down By ERIC GERSHON and KENNETH R. GOSSELIN | The Hartford Courant February 25, 2009 Connecticut auto dealerships continue to disappear amid the meltdown of the U.S. automobile industry. In Hartford, Thomas Cadillac on Weston Street, a dealership that has operated in the city since 1929, closed last Friday. The closing follows the shutdown in December of Tony March Buick- Pontiac- GMC and Saturn of Hartford, also in the North Meadows area of Hartford. Parsons Chevrolet of Farmington also shut down Friday. It was founded in 1916 by Robert E. Parsons and had …

When is the UAW going to $h! that turd out? I suppose he'll just go down with the ship. I love the last comment in the article: "“We’ve helped them before, but it seems like they always come back to us,” said Shane Colvard, chairman of Local 2164 in Bowling Green, Ky., where G.M. builds the Chevrolet Corvette sports car." This is precisely the mentality that got Detroit where they are. I hope you starve Mr. Colvard. If GM can't even get their own employee base in line, they're doomed. You see, in the "real world" Mr. Colvard would be escorted out for a comment like that to the media. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/business...?pagewanted=all …

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/insiders/0508/30/C01-297366.htm

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090401/bs_nm/...tos_report_sb_4 The rumor mill appears to be in full production. Of course the administration denies it.

October 30, 2008 - 6:45 pm ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The U.S. Treasury Department is not negotiating with General Motors and the owners of Chrysler LLC on a request to provide direct government aid to their proposed merger, a Bush administration official said today. Instead, the administration is working to speed the distribution to automakers of $25 billion in factory retooling funds authorized by Congress last month, the official told Reuters. Earlier this week, industry sources said GM had asked for roughly $10 billion in an unprecedented government rescue package to support its acquisition of Chrysler from Cerberus Capital Management LP. The request was view…

Reuters / September 08, 2005 DETROIT -- The head of the United Auto Workers said on Thursday he was optimistic about reaching a negotiated settlement of General Motors' demands for cuts in union health-care and other benefits. But Ron Gettelfinger, president of the UAW, also said GM had more problems than health care and warned that the union may not be able to help "stabilize" the situation at the troubled automaker. "The UAW understands that health-care costs are a problem, not just for General Motors, but for every other American employer," Gettelfinger said in a speech to Detroit area business leaders. "We are willing to continue to…

UAW Authorizes Strike Aganist Delphi The pressure continues to build. Over 95% of the union members approved this strike which gives them more leverage in their struggle with Delphi. Read "Union Authorizes Strike Against Delphi" @ Yahoo

http://www.buffalonews.com/editorial/20061122/1042286.asp

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/artic...PDATE/703270444 United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger intimated that a strike was not out of the question as union members prepare to defend their pay and benefits later this year in contract talks with automakers. Gettelfinger said the UAW would fight at the bargaining table, in the courts, politically and "if need be on the picket line." The union chief made the comments during a fiery address to a UAW bargaining convention that kicked off this morning at Cobo Center in Detroit. Some 1,500 delegates will meet today and Wednesday to discuss guidelines for this summer's contract talks with automakers. Gettelfinger …

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0...utos-294887.htm

This is stupid

Look at what the head of the UAW Local 602 Bargaining Chairman Steve Bramos had to say , HE STILL THINK GM IS A MONEY TREE.What a dumass.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle....GENT.XML&rpc=11 I hope I did the link right.

UAW says two locals vote down GM contract Fri Oct 5, 2007 4:17 PM ET By Jui Chakravorty DETROIT, Oct 5 (Reuters) - A United Auto Workers union local in Romulus, Michigan, is the second to reject General Motors Corp's <GM.N> tentative labor contract with the union, the local's president said on Friday. Members of local 163 voted down the contract on Friday despite the automaker's promise to keep work at the plant. Local President Larry Long said he was unsure why more than 50 percent of the voters were against the deal. Union members at UAW Local 465, which represents the engine factory in Massena, New York, also voted down the contract on Friday, local Pre…

Left Lane News According to conditions written into the federal loan agreement that General Motors signed last month, the automaker will be forced to default on the loan should “any labor union or collective bargaining unit shall engage in a strike or other work stoppage.” This stipulation means that if the UAW was to strike, GM would be forced to pay back the loan immediately - forcing GM into bankruptcy. The United States Treasury set many conditions that would trigger a default, though the terms hadn’t been disclosed until earlier today when GM filed the necessary documents with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The deal requires the UAW to accept lowered w…

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070723/auto_talks.html?.v=2 UAW to Hold Talks With Ford, GM Monday July 23, 8:03 am ET By Tom Krisher, AP Auto Writer Ford, General Motors Hope to Reduce Labor Costs Through Talks With United Auto Workers DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have more at stake than usual as they begin their traditional talks with United Auto Workers: cutting labor costs may be key to their survival. The traditional handshake ceremonies with the union were to begin Monday with GM in Detroit and Ford in Dearborn, although talks already have been under way for months. The union formally opened negotiations with Chrysler Group on Friday, an…

DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union Thursday said it was not close to a cost-cutting agreement with bankrupt auto parts maker Delphi Corp. and automaker General Motors Corp. (GM), dashing hopes of workers and investors that a deal was in the offing. "Nothing could be further from the truth," the UAW said in a statement on its Web site. "The parties are not close to working out such an agreement. "There are many, many, significant issues to be resolved," the UAW said. "Overall the situation has changed very little since our last meeting." Despite the denial from UAW, GM shares were up sharply. In early trading on the New York Stock Exchange, they soared 5.88 perce…

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0.../A01-289735.htm

UAW says over 33,000 GM, Delphi workers take buyouts Thursday June 15, 6:43 pm ET By Kevin Krolicki At a news conference to mark the end of a four-day union conference, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said 25,000 General Motors and 8,500 Delphi Corp. (Other OTC:DPHIQ.PK - News) workers had taken the early retirement incentives. "I think it's going pretty well," Gettelfinger said. "I think it's a little better than we initially expected." The number of blue-collar workers who accept the early retirement incentives has been closely watched as an indicator of the success of GM's turnaround efforts. --------------- Link to full article @ Yahoo! Finance/Reuters

Gettelfinger: UAW was 'pushed over a cliff' Link to Original Article @ The Detroit News DETROIT -- United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said he expected to resume negotiations later today with General Motors Corp. to try to reach a contract agreement and end a strike called at 11 a.m. "The company has indicated they want to meet, and we will be going back to the table today," Gettelfinger said at a news conference at the union's Solidarity House headquarters. Earlier Monday, the UAW ordered its members off the job after setting a strike deadline Sunday night that passed without any agreement. In his first public comments since contract negotiations began i…

UAW/GM Janesville Assembly Plant Produces 500,000th E85 FlexFuel Vehicle Local plant aids GM's efforts to help address U.S. energy concerns JANESVILLE, Wisc. – The General Motors Janesville Assembly plant achieved a milestone of producing more than 500,000 Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, full-size sport utility vehicles, with E85 FlexFuel-capable engines. The Janesville employees were recognized in a ceremony at the plant which included Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle. Since 2002, the UAW Local 95 /GM Janesville Assembly workforce has been assembling SUVs with the 5.3L V8 engine that has the capability of using either gasoline, E85 ethanol (a blend…

Union Corruption Watchdog Criticizes GM/UAW Deal on Health Care; Says Congress Should Hold Hearings on 'Lousy Deal' for Retirees FALLS CHURCH, Va., Sept. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Legal and Policy Center (NLPC) today objected to the tentative contract agreement between General Motors (GM) and the United Auto Workers (UAW) to transfer more than $50 billion health care in liabilities to a fund controlled by the union. Dr. Carl Horowitz, director of the Organized Labor Accountability Project and editor of Union Corruption Update, reacted by saying, "This is a great deal for GM. They get to shed billions in obligations made to forme…

Worhorse is a domestic supplier of motorhome, bus, and step van chassis. While not specifically a partner, they the exclusive provider of GM powertrains in this segment. At one time Ford owned this market. Worhorse started in the last 1990's and make a great product, I think. They have announced a new chassis called the UFO. Presently inexpensive class A motor homes are gas powered with the engine in the front under an obtrusive "doghouse". The higher end motorhomes offer a diesel pusher layout. The rear engine layout makes for a quieter and more roomy coach. Worhorse has announced a Vortec 8.1 L. powered rear engined chassis called the UFO. I think this may mean…

http://www.freep.com/article/20081018/BUSI.../810180305/1014

GM announced today their new family of EV motors, The Ultium Drive family. The Ultium Drive family is made up of five interchangeable drive units and three motors. This will help transition the current portfolio of auto's to fully electric lineup. Performance, scale, speed to market and manufacturing efficiencies will provide GM significant advantages over past EV auto's. GM is leading the way with industry class leading drive units that use an electric motor and single-speed transmissions to apply power best in class horsepower and torque. Ultium Drives will be more responsive than internal combustion motors with precision torque control of the motors and smoo…

From the plan: WTF, man... NOT cool!

Uncertainty Clouds Recovery of U.S. Investment in GM Carmaker's Shares Would Have to Hit A Historic High If a new General Motors emerges from bankruptcy as planned, U.S. financial aid for the company will expand to nearly $50 billion, but neither the government nor the company is forecasting how much of the public money will be repaid. It's sure to be a stretch. For the United States to fully recover its investment, the value of General Motors stock will have to reach levels it has never before attained. "I'm not going to predict it -- that's not my job today," GM chief executive Fritz Henderson said in a recent interview. "I don't know how much we're going to recover…

I got this book last week and have read some jumping around in it but still have some chapters to go. As with his two first books he is pretty straight forward and honest with his feelings and calls here. Like stated it is not a hatchet job as he tells the good and bad on each just as he as done on himself in past books. I would recommend this book as it gives some in site not seen with some of the auto company players and the games played behind closed doors. It is a good reminder that things are not so cut and dry or as simple as we like to think here on the web. Personalities play a big roll in management and some of these folks hide it well or you just never see wha…

Hey guys, I wanted to take a step back and take in what everyone was saying about the Delphi issue. Everyone has their opinions and that's ok. Some of it is understandable, especially the union bashing. If I was on the outside, watching news reports where they interview the big guy, who may not have had much of an education, saying the things we hear ... I'd think that the UAW was a bunch of idiots who just demand more money and better benefits. Years ago, some of you may have even seen the UAW president hitting his fist on the table yelling about the auto companies. There are still guys like that. More of the old-timers. But they had reason to be like that. The …

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8RP90EO1.htm Union defers health care takeover talks By TOM KRISHER and DEE-ANN DURBIN DETROIT United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger has decided to temporarily shelve talk with General Motors Corp. about the union taking over retiree health care, but the issue remains part of the bargaining, a person briefed on the talks said Thursday. The person, who asked not to be identified by name because the talks are private, said Gettelfinger rejected GM's latest retiree health care proposal on Tuesday night and wanted to move to other issues. GM, the lead company in talks with the union, wants to pay the UAW to set up …

Link: http://www.detnews.com/2005/autosinsider/0.../A01-289731.htm

TORONTO - The president of the Canadian Auto Workers union said Saturday that labor talks with General Motors Corp. have left him pessimistic and a strike could follow if things don't improve. CAW President Buzz Hargrove has set a strike deadline for Tuesday at midnight. "On the major issues that face us, we have made absolutely no progress at all," he said. Under the CAW's pattern bargaining with the three largest U.S. automakers, the union presses the other two to accept the same deal after it reaches financial terms with one company. A deal was reached first with the Canadian unit of Ford Motor Co. and matched by DaimlerChrysler AG's…

IIHS, then scroll down "In both tests there were problems with the seats in the middle row. With the optional side airbags, all four attachment points for the seat occupied by the rear passenger dummy completely dislodged. The seat broke free. In the second test without side airbags, one attachment point released and a second one broke, allowing partial separation of the seat from the floor."