Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Battle Creek, Nebraska

Battle Creek, NE Car Consumer Discussions

Re: A Plan [m1miata]

by motorcity6 on Wed Nov 12 12:54:19 PST 2008

Maybe Japan should advance 50 Billion to level the playing field..After all they invaded this country using ex-congressional folks who turned to the field of lobbying to fill their pockets with yen....Tradefree industrial zones were established to allow the invasion..I spent two years running the sales of a Japanese plant in the Battle Creek, Mich area..early-80s, it was a giveaway program and some of the product was "junk". Slice the union pay and get the right to run the plant..Let management's pay stand for the automotive end is a tough game..for somebody has to make decisions..The union is liberal, their game is looking for the the bad side, confusion and complaining is their goal..Spent 6 yrs running a manufacturing plant near Flint and yes, we had the UAW. We had the right to run the plant, the Big3 gave away that right..I have seen paycheck stubs on janitors making !00k/yr. in the late 90s.. The Big3 have been burning money for years, and the Govt has finally screwed GM, Ford, and Chrysler with it's ecology stance and lack of domestic oil..The whole scenerio has been in play for years.. The whack jobs pushing the "Global Climate" mantra will stiffle the country for they have a good start, and no quick fix is available..Just BS by the volumes..Take a look at the mortgage mess and the history of Freddie and Fannie, DEMOCRATS IN ACTION..Can't wait until they get their hands on HEALTH CARE.. NO HEALTH CARE IS COMING..

Re: E85 = More oil changes [jkinzel]

by motorcity6 on Mon Aug 25 11:34:54 PDT 2008

Tacoma is in the heart of the TREE-HUGGERS, so I not surprised about the lack of good old fashioned American gasoline..E-85 is a total waste of money and it only adds to the expense of motoring..Great that you bought a Taurus and supported the American auto Industry.. Prius owners support Japan and it's Asian content..Ain't nothing American in it except the owner--maybe??? Did you Asian car owners realize that 85% of the content going into domestically assembled Hondas and Toyotas is foreign, supplied thru their own manufacturing bases located in small town America?? Spent two years in the early 80s with a Japanese manufacturer located in Battle Creek, Mich, and got to know their business slant...... Oil changes I stick to the 3000 deadline, oil is cheap compared to any mechanic in this day and age...Of the 43 cars owned in my log life, I only destroyed one engine, 48 Chevy, over-revved a bit..Wasn't satisified with 65 in 2nd gear, next car was 50 Ford crestliner V-8 w/overdrive-95 in 2nd gear.. Have a nice one and good luck on your gas search.

I liked the "outcome" UAW-Dodge 400

by motorcity6 on Mon Mar 03 12:04:07 PST 2008

A lowly Jack Rousch Ford won the race---in fact his car has won the last two races. The Toyota camp is not a happy bunch, they have invested many "yen" hoping to flatten the Detroit image..It will happen but I certainly enjoyed the race results when I opened the sports page this morn.. There was some "kamikaze" in the racing div. after the race ended, for they take this hosing very,very seriously. Corporate downgraded some personnel files.. I remember what happened during my Battle Creek, Mich days with that lovely Japanese company. They hold one accountable for a bad day..No, I didn't get scarred, but the chief engineer did... Golf carts may be our future transportation on the Interstates---recharge every 10 miles-----wonder how they work in snow??????? Love the Detroit Iron...

Big 3 under seige!!!!!!!, Detroit under water!!!!

by motorcity6 on Tue Feb 26 13:27:14 PST 2008

Lived in Grosse Pte, Mi, 1968 thru 1979, returned in 1984 and finally left on May 16, 2002. for the sunny South. Certainly wasn't sad to leave the Motor City, however my retirement was due to my wife's diagnosis of a noncurable health problem that took its course last Nov.. No stranger to Fla for I had a condo on the east coast since 1988 where she spent the winters--live on the west coast now after a 5 yr stay in Ocala. My average yearly mileage since 1968 was around 60,000/yr, so I spent alot of time pushing the pavement. Most of the cars were sold after 75k to 90k miles with brakes,tires,wheel balance, and suspension the most prevelant problem areas. Engine,trans,a/c,and elec problems were virtually non-existant. I favored the cars with harshest suspension and Buick's sporty suspension was always a farce, but easily cured with performance after-market struts or shocks. My initial posting "85% foreign content" drew some great comments..The UAW has been beat around and blamed for many of Detroit's ills. I spent 7 years as VP/Opers of plant producing springs and stampings in the heart of the UAW world, some 15 miles south of Flint. Yes, it was a UAW plant-we made money-for we retained the right to run the shop, good pricing and high productivity wins every time. My stint with the Japanese mfgr in Battle Creek was interesting for the plant was initially 100% Japanese mgt, however after staggering loses they sent everyone but three back to the island, hiring Americans to run the operation. I have been through the process of the role that our govt had in enticing them to flock to America and dismantle the Big 3 along with destroying the US manufacturing base. They created the "Rust Belt". Since 1985 I was involved in the Forging and Steel casting industry as a self-employed commisioned rep supplying parts such as forged crankshafts, connecting rods, truck suspension components, and military tank track shoes. My principals were located in Michigan and Canada with main customers in Mich, Ind, Ohio, and Ontario. Even the Michigan congressional folks---Conyers, Levin, Dingell, and Srabenow have thrown the Big 3 and the UAW "under the bus" for it is more benefical to their careers to cater to the Enviromental whacks with higher gas taxes and the wonderful new mileage edit for 2020 of 35mpg.. No we can't drill for oil or be allowed to help ourselves--grow corn and HOPE FOR CHANGE... How about the new light bulbs that contain mercury--mandatory in 2012, another winner!!!! I really do not want to cross into the area of discussing the merits of Big 3 cars versus the other guys for there are other forums which deal with the chatter of praise as well as the panning... Out of the 43 cars owned ,some were oustanding, and a few rather mediorce, however, I have lived in an era which will never be duplicated in the future. It was a blast filled with opportunity, blessed with lots of freedom to do what struck your fancy.. Government has gotten too oppressive and law crazy. Love this country----USA all the way.

85% Foreign Content-Totoya-Honda!!!!!!

by motorcity6 on Sun Feb 24 08:03:53 PST 2008

Don't beleive the media published percentages on content. The US government mandated back in the early 80's that within 5 yrs that 85% of the content should be purchased from companies located in the USA. During that timeframe the Asian suppliers quickily went to the states of Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky Tenn, and other southern localities to establish new supplier operations using handouts from our state treasuries and our federal govt. to build new plants with state of the art eguipment. These new plants were given tax-exempt status for years so that they could help the local communties grow. The money goes back to Japan to pay all the dislocated workers affected by the move to the USA ---which created unemployment and early retirements on the small island--Approx 1500 suppliers to the domestic transplants are Asian owned. I don't ever remember the Federal or State govts being benevolent to the big 3..Yes Chrysler was given a Bailout, but Lee repaid it. The only industry that the Federal Govt saved was Harley-Davidson back in the early 80s when the Hog was on the brink of failure--our sweet govt imposed a 5yr tariff on cycles coming from Asia in a certain size or displacement class. Harley survived thanks to our govt.. I spent 32 yrs on the supplier side to the Big 3 and the marine industry and our politicians has made it every difficult for our traditional industries to survive..Spent 2yrs with a Japanese manufacturing facility in Battle Creek, Mich supplying the marine, snowmobile, and auto market as VP Sales/Markerting during 82-84, so I do understand how the business has evolved.. I have owned 43 cars during my driving career, only 2 were not domestic-1958 & 1959 Porsches, great cars bought new in Germany and brought the 59er back to the states--sold it. The other 41 cars were all "Detroit Iron". Detroit made America "great" and has had a big hand in keeping us "free" during all the war years, so my car dollars will stay with them. I would rarther pay retirement benfits and health costs for the BIG 3, than those costs for the folks in Japan. Honda and Toyota won't have any retirees in the USA for another 20yrs. The content of the Big 3 has gone from high percentage domestic to foreign content to compete in the marketplace that exists today.

Re: UAW members continue negotiations at International Truck and Engine [lemko]

by rockylee on Wed Oct 03 15:57:09 PDT 2007

Is Battle Creek still the Cereal Capital of the World, or are my Corn Flakes now being manufactured in China and have sharp pieces of metal and broken glass in them? Yes Battle Creek is "Cereal City" still and the cereal is still union made. ;) What furniture is made in Grand Rapids so I'll know what to look for when shopping for a dining room set. I'd be FURIOUS if I paid a whole lot of money for it and I see "Made in China" stamped on the boxes as it's being delivered. Contemporary West Michigan Furniture Manufacturers http://www.iserv.net/~plucas/michigan.htm Lemko, here's a history on one of the best manufactors of furniture in the world pal. It started here in Western, Mi. and is now located in North Carolina. http://www.wzzm13.com/printfullstory.aspx?storyid=56437 Most of the furniture makers have went belly up here in Western, Mi. due to China. :sick: Some of it once upon a time was union made. Steelcase, use to be a major producer of office furniture but they have gone through some tough times and it didn't help that they hire the S.S. for management and the slashed and burned their good employees pay, benefits, bonuses, thus the people just quit. :sick: -Rocky