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Maynard, OH Car Consumer Discussions

Re: Interesting video.......... [cooterbfd]

by nippononly on Wed Nov 12 09:50:59 PST 2008

Oh I watched the video for as long as I could stand it. The amount of amazement I feel that anyone would put that guy on the air is only exceeded by the amount I feel that anyone would take him seriously. But when he characterizes "everyone's" view of GM, he certainly doesn't characterize my view of it. And the rest of his blue-collar-poser-taking-a-stab-at-white-collar-exploiters routine is worthless drivel. I do NOT agree that autoworkers are just a bunch of lazy jackasses, to paraphrase his comments early on in the piece. I think this company does build something of worth but it has been driven to the end of its rope by management that could never take a long-term view longer than a single product cycle (if that) and has no idea of how to diversify its product portfolio as insulation against the bad times. So they have taken the easy way out time and time again and the company has become more and more ragged. Companies like this ARE THE VERY REASON BANKRUPTCY LAWS EXIST. This report being bandied about this week quotes American job losses at 2.5 million if all 3 automakers fail entirely. Obviously, nothing close to that scenario is envisioned here, why would it be? Micheline Maynard was a guest on the local morning news here this morning, and she quoted the figure of 100,000 job losses both directly and indirectly if GM were to declare bankruptcy. We lost more jobs nationally than that just in the last two weeks. Very manageable, and a first step to rebuilding this company into something with some lasting power through economic upturns and downturns. Take it to the court, GM! Ford, it seems, will be able to weather the storm. And Chrysler? Now there's a domestic automaker we genuinely don't need in its current form. Sell the parts, Cerberus, and lick your wounds. Someone (or several someones) with some common sense will buy up the parts and operate them much better than you ever would have been able to .

Re: Honda/Toyota transfusion [xrunner2]

by cooterbfd on Tue Nov 11 07:36:53 PST 2008

"Just started reading a book written in 2003, "The End of Detroit", by Micheline Maynard. She points out (as of 2003) that top executives at Detroit Big 3 have been from finance and accounting parts of their corporations. She contrasts this with Toyota and Honda having guys from "engineering" parts of their companies being the top executives. Intuitively, it would seem that engineers would always have mindset of innovating and improving product whereas finance might not. Honda/Toyota product offerings are rarely off the mark contrasted to the Big 3." VERY interesting. Makes you wonder what the bigger evil is in this country, lawyers or accountants.

Honda/Toyota transfusion

by xrunner2 on Tue Nov 11 07:28:55 PST 2008

Rick did a fairly decent job on the cost/operations side, cutting costs, and he made some efforts to put out new good products, particularly the CTS and the Malibu. But the large, strategic decisions - no leadership or vision at all. Put Steve Jobs in charge and you would see some bold decision making. Steve Jobs might be the elixir, but "engineering" car guys would be better. Just started reading a book written in 2003, "The End of Detroit", by Micheline Maynard. She points out (as of 2003) that top executives at Detroit Big 3 have been from finance and accounting parts of their corporations. She contrasts this with Toyota and Honda having guys from "engineering" parts of their companies being the top executives. Intuitively, it would seem that engineers would always have mindset of innovating and improving product whereas finance might not. Honda/Toyota product offerings are rarely off the mark contrasted to the Big 3. Just as new Obama administration being transititioned, wonder if a transfusion of some of Honda and Toyota top executives and some engineering managers into GM could save it. Obama, and any incoming President, will keep staff and workers that are "career" types and are party neutral. But, Obama and his leadership team will define new strategies and goals for the career workers to execute. Similarly, could Honda and Toyota donated top executives and other management change GM strategy and culture to turn it around but retaining core work force engineers and assembly. Would think that Honda/Toyota want to grow/prosper in the U.S., but also would not want to see the demise of GM. A bailout of GM by U.S. should require a restructuring starting with the replacement of top management. Of course, flys in the ointment, even with Honda/Toyota transfusion are unions and agreements to supply vehicles to dealers. Too many GM dealers around the U.S. and ridiculous rules that GM agreed to in allowing unions to dicatate "HOW' to run the business/day-to-day operations. That would have to be scuttled somehow. Might have been a possibility with a Republican Congress. But, with Democrats in control, there is no way they will allow any dimunition of union power or rescinding of their agreements. Now, it is interesting that some Dems in last few months wanted mortgage companies to rewrite terms of mortgages to be more favorable to homeowners. But, would the Dems do anything to neutralize the stiffling effect of union agreements with automakers.

Re: I few posts ago [tagman]

by dewey on Mon Oct 27 14:41:20 PDT 2008

In addition to you and DHamilton here's my vote for a flat income tax. With these markets as they are my son and daughter will have the scariest Halloween outfits possible. My son will dress up as Gordon Gecko and my daughter will dress up as a financial planner soliciting early retirement equity plans. They will definitely scare the hell out of everyone and hopefully they will still get some treats before the door slams. Remember the Sony Walkman? Remember the Pacman? Yup stockmarkets in Japan are back to where they were in 1982 and are over 70 percent lower than their peak almost 20 years ago. My 83 MB300D did not depreciate that much during those years as Japanese equities. As Maynard Keynes said about long term investors: In the long term we are all dead. Call me a masochist but I am still putting my head against the plank by buying equities today for my clients and myself. A long term investor I remain despite Maynard Keynes who happens to be dead himself :P

PMC4

by pmc4 on Mon Dec 10 21:53:28 PST 2007

Accord is first and Toyota suprises with last-place. I would like to have seen Nissan 3rd and Malibu 2nd, because the Nissan is too 'rorty' and too sporty to be a competent, well-rounded family car. The Malibu has a true, European ride. For this reason, and for the reason that Mark Maynard of the San Diego Union Tribune says the car feels like it costs $40,000, the Malibu should have made Second place. Furthermore, the fact that the car won Car and Driver's 10-Best Cars for the 2008 model year (and the Altima did not), adds further weight to my assertion. Like Edmunds having the winningest Cadillac CTS come in 3rd Place in their Sport Sedan Comparison test while everyone else is giving the CTS the most prestigious awards (CTS won Car and Driver's 10-Best, Motor Trend's Car of the Year award and Popular Mechanics Best car for 2008), I believe Edmunds made a judgement error in placing the Malibu 3rd. It should have come in Second, and Edmunds may regret their decision.

Re: Chipper Jones etc... [steelerman]

by fezo on Wed Nov 28 13:48:17 PST 2007

I love getting the trumpet tips from Doc Severenson and Maynard Ferguson. That's great. Closest I come to that was getting to talk to Gordon Lightfoot who gave me tips on getting a career singing your own songs. I'm a little old for it at this point but it was much appreciated anyway.