teranfon

At the end of this week, manufacturing will cease in NA for at least 30 days.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/17/c...-a-full-month/

sho_nuff1997

iTrader: (2)

Porsche did this too. The way things are going, there will probably be more that do this. My girlfriend's dad works at Bosch and he has been cut back to 20 hours/week for at least the next year.

leftride

iTrader: (1)

it's obviously not a good thing, but they do typically close for 2 weeks, so it's an extra 2 weeks, I keep seeing it spun as if they don't typically get those 2 weeks off.

Crazy Bimmer

Sounds tough!!

mattg

I saw a new Ram truck today. ugly as shit.

kneedragger87

That's why Chrysler's going down the drain.

F23A4

Less pieces of crap being produced in the automotive sector. Seriously, the crap Chrysler produces nowadays eclipses the crapiness of first generation Hyundais. If this is the beginning of the end then, it is that of a bad story that needs to end.

wackura

I love Chrysler because their vehicles devalue so quickly. You can buy a decent minivan that's only a few years old for $2000 to haul stuff around town. Sure the treansmission will go out the next year but then you just buy another one and repeat.

Black Tire

That has got to be the worst business decisions of the century to keep paying workers when they are not working. Serves GM/Dodge/Ford right for allowing such a concession.

This “halt” to the factories is not temporary halt. It’s going to be permanent. There is so much negativity coming from the public in regards to an auto bailout that I don’t think we are going to see a bailout. Any government, US or Canadian that gives a bailout is going to pay dearly at the next polls.

dom

I'd hate to see GM and Ford go belly up but wouldn't mind seeing Chrysler out of the business.

Sarlacc

How short sighted are you?

No one is buying cars right now. Why keep spending the money on resources and making more product that no one is buying?

As far as paying 95% for the shut down, they have no choice, its called UAW.

SwervinCL

Really? I really really really like the new bodystyle.

dom

+1 Prefer it's styling over any other pickup.

Brandon24pdx

I'm pretty sure I heard BMW was doing this as well. Makes fine sense if you've got a glut of inventory.

Yeah that must be rough getting a month off at 95% pay

phile

these uaw make more than I do

Brandon24pdx

They should be well paid workers but $100K/yr to put cars together? Maybe I should reconsider my career path.

mattg

yep. I think it looks like crap.

TheMirror

Heh heh, I do understand the point being made here, but in reality those first Hyundais were like Yugos. Current Chryslers are a few clicks better than that.
As for the styling though.......

$100K a year for line workers? Not to be a doubter, but I'm gonna need to see a lot of confirmation to believe that.

wackura

I've heard in the news about new hires receiving $28 an hour. That works out to 60k a year or so. I don't know how hard their jobs are but I associate that pay grade with jobs that require some degree of active thought, so if they are bolting the same door onto the same frame all day I'd say they're being over compensated relative to their contribution.

Mokos23

how much does a honda of america worker get paid an hr in Marysville?

Moog-Type-S

^^ PM Water-s

wackura

This is useful info:

"The Associated Press reported that, for example, the average United Auto Workers member makes $29.78 per hour at GM, while Toyota pays its workers (most of whom are non-union) about $30 per hour. However, when total benefits (including pensions and health care for workers, retirees and their spouses) is factored in, GM's total hourly labor costs is about $69, while Toyota's is about $48. "

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/...n4677571.shtml

F23A4

Just to lend some perspective, total compensation is often considered salary+benefits. So, a worker may be making a wage of say $50k/yr but also have some $50k/yr worth of benefits. That said, it's unlikely that line workers are pulling $100k/yr is base salary alone.

F23A4

Arguably, the term 'crappy' (and 'crapiness') is subjective.

ifirahse

iTrader: (6)

After driving an 07 Chrysler Aspen rental for 3 weeks, and just today driving an 08 Chrysler Sebring convertible, I can safely say that Chrysler makes some crappy cars on a level that is unprecedented.

I hope the brand dies, or at least stops making such craptastic automobiles.

omd316

Had a sebring loaner for a few days , and I have to agree , it felt like the entire interior was 90% cheap plastic .

F23A4

When cars like the Cobalt and Malibu seem upscale in comparison to the Caliber and Sebring, you KNOW the latter two are simply terrible.