Locate an Auto Repair Shop in Union Center, South Dakota

Union Center, SD Car Consumer Discussions

This is not something that blew up overnight

by steve_ on Tue Nov 18 07:21:33 PST 2008

"As has been said many times as the domestic auto industry continues its frenetic unraveling, there's plenty of blame to go around, and a portion of it lies with the unions. The United Auto Workers has rarely been out of the conversation of what's ruined Detroit Inc., but arguments centered on the notion that fat, uncompetitive unionized labor is the root cause of Detroit's ills are specious - and little more than an excuse for some good-old-fashioned union-bashing." Yeah or Nay on Bailout, But Don't Blame Detroit's Problems Only on Labor (AutoObserver)

What’s Good for G.M. Is Good for the Army

by rockylee on Mon Nov 17 20:10:18 PST 2008

AMERICA'S automobile industry is in desperate trouble. Financial instability, the credit squeeze and closed capital markets are hurting domestic automakers, while decades of competition from foreign producers have eroded market share and consumer loyalty. Some economists question the wisdom of Washington's intervening to help the Big Three, arguing that the automakers should pay the price for their own mistakes or that the market will correct itself. But we must act: aiding the American automobile industry is not only an economic imperative, but also a national security imperative. When President Dwight Eisenhower observed that America's greatest strength wasn't its military, but its economy, he must have had companies like General Motors and Ford in mind. Sitting atop a vast pyramid of tool makers, steel producers, fabricators and component manufacturers, these companies not only produced the tanks and trucks that helped win World War II, but also lent their technology to aircraft and ship manufacturing. The United States truly became the arsenal of democracy. During the 1950s, advances in aviation, missiles, satellites and electronics made Detroit seem a little old-fashioned in dealing with the threat of the Soviet Union. The Army's requests for new trucks and other basic transportation usually came out a loser in budget battles against missile technology and new modifications for the latest supersonic jet fighter. Not only were airplanes far sexier but they also counted as part of our military "tooth," while much of the land forces' needs were "tail." And in those days, "more teeth, less tail" had become a key concept in military spending. But in 1991, the Persian Gulf war demonstrated the awesome utility of American land power, and the Humvee (and its civilian version, the Hummer) became a star. Likewise, the ubiquitous homemade bombs of the current Iraq insurgency have led to the development of innovative armor-protected wheeled vehicles for American forces, as well as improvements in our fleets of Humvees, tanks, armored fighting vehicles, trucks and cargo carriers. In a little more than a year, the Army has procured and fielded in Iraq more than a thousand so-called mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles. The lives of hundreds of soldiers and marines have been saved, and their tasks made more achievable, by the efforts of the American automotive industry. And unlike in World War II, America didn't have to divert much civilian capacity to meet these military needs. Without a vigorous automotive sector, those needs could not have been quickly met. More challenges lie ahead for our military, and to meet them we need a strong industrial base. For years the military has sought better sources of electric power in its vehicles — necessary to allow troops to monitor their radios with diesel engines off, to support increasingly high-powered communications technology, and eventually to support electric propulsion and innovative armaments like directed-energy weapons. In sum, this greater use of electricity will increase combat power while reducing our footprint. Much research and development spending has gone into these programs over the years, but nothing on the manufacturing scale we really need. Now, though, as Detroit moves to plug-in hybrids and electric-drive technology, the scale problem can be remedied. Automakers are developing innovative electric motors, many with permanent magnet technology, that will have immediate military use. And only the auto industry, with its vast purchasing power, is able to establish a domestic advanced battery industry. Likewise, domestic fuel cell production — which will undoubtedly have many critical military applications — depends on a vibrant car industry. To be sure, the public should demand transformation and new standards in the auto industry before paying to keep it alive. And we should insist that Detroit's goals include putting America in first place in hybrid and electric automotive technology, reducing the emissions of the country's transportation fleet, and strengthening our competitiveness abroad. This should be no giveaway. Instead, it is a historic opportunity to get it right in Detroit for the good of the country. But Americans must bear in mind that any federal assistance plan would not be just an economic measure. This is, fundamentally, about national security. Wesley K. Clark, a retired Army general and former supreme allied commander of NATO, is a senior fellow at the Burkle Center for International Relations at the University of California at Los Angeles. -Rocky

Re: It's simple really...Unions need to go away! [jimbres]

by gagrice on Thu Nov 13 13:40:27 PST 2008

As a result, the current recession will pinch us but it won't knock the stuffing out of us. That is a point I have tried to get across to Rocky. Michigan is a one pony show. They can try to compete making movies or whatever. Until they get out from under the UAW and the Automakers they will be slaves to that industry. Every time it has tough times it will take Michigan with it. Same can be said for states that depend on oil or military or tourism for their livelihood. One states boom is another states bust. Just the way life is. Most of the country is feeling pinched right now. I think they expected more from the election: I was so depressed last night thinking about the election, I called Lifeline. Got a freakin' call center in Pakistan. I told them I was suicidal. They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

no title

by sixfive on Thu Nov 13 08:37:11 PST 2008

Wanna talk about unions: Try and get a event planned in the Philly Convention Center. Wanna build out your office space in center city. It's cost 40% more than non union job of equal quality. And they WILL find out about your non union contractor and they will then picket you. We actaully had the gall to try and hire a non union builder for our space and by the end of the first week the contractor wouldn't do the job. Good thing, the union got to someone and we had to change the GC before he even had a change to quit. It's legalized strongarming AKA rackateering.

EFCA would be intimidation

by xrunner2 on Tue Nov 11 08:54:09 PST 2008

If Obama, follows through on his promise EFCA, will be passed, currency manipulation will be addressed, and more importantly the unfree trade will be fixed. I personally believe the ultimate fix long-term would be "content" laws here in the U.S. In a few months, we will see if Obama is pragmatic and governs from the center. Or, will he follow his leftist-socialist leanings and pass an EFCA that his Dem Congress might send up to him? Could Obama learn anything from visits to non-unionized Honda, Toyota factories and discussions with workers there? Saw a UAW economist on talk show call-in tv yesterday. Of course, that guy was defending/promoting the EFCA. Can see scenarios of a group of bullies at a factory or business intimidating their co-workers to sign the EFCA cards.

Re: 1995-2000 Toyota Frame Rust Buy-Back Program [david311]

by daleyplanit on Mon Nov 03 07:17:39 PST 2008

First - for those intending to write those safety complaints (GREAT advice) here is a list of contacts. Because I live in NY my list is based on NY agencies, but every state has them. Contacts Division of Economic Justice Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau State of New York Office of Attorney General Andrew Cuomo The Capital Albany, NY 12224-0341 Director of Constituent Services New York State Senator Neil Breslin Capitol Building, Room 414 Albany, NY 12247 NYS Consumer Protection Board Albany Office New York State Consumer Protection Board 5 Empire State Plaza, Suite 2101 Albany, New York 12223 United States Federal Trade Commission Federal Trade Commission Consumer Response Center 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Office of Defects Investigation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE West Building Washington, DC 20590 Better Business Bureau of the Southland 315 N. La Cadena Colton CA 92324-2927 60 Minutes 524 West 57th St. New York, NY 10019 The Advocate Times Union Newsroom PO Box 15000 Albany, NY 12212 advocate@timesunion.com. (518) 454-5700 US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 476 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Attention: Constituent Services US Senator Charles Schumer 757 Third Avenue, Suite 17-02 New York, NY 10017 State Assembly Representative John McEneny LOB 648 Albany, NY 12248 518-455-4178 NYS DMV Traffic Safety Division of Vehicle Safety Services Department of Motor Vehicles P.O. Box 2700-ESP, Albany, NY 12220-0700 Office of the District Attorney Albany County Judicial Building 6 Lodge Street Albany, NY 12207 Telephone: (518) 487-5460 Fax: (518) 487-5093 WNYT P.O. Box 403, Albany, NY 12204 Second - it is true Toyota is not buying back trucks bought after the recall because of flipping. I've heard many accounts of it on forums I subscribe to. The 150% deal is also, in many cases, sadly off the table. In reuttal - the 150% value isn's all it's cracked up to be - Toyota isn't using KBB value. Again, by truck was worth $14k in february (when I was looking for a doublecab). It was worth $12 in August. Now Toyota is offering me $10 without even looking at it. I just spent $600 in new shocks and brakes. It has a long list of factory options. Toyota tells me they won't give me the $1000 towards a new car. I cannot drive my truck - it will take Toyota 7 weeks to process my check. This is not an annomaly. If your facing a buy-back prepare for a long fight. For another author cited recent repairs and new tires - toyota will no comp you for this like a buyer in the private market would. Month by month Toyota has been cutting buyback offers, scaling back who is included in the buyback, and in some cases, making exceptions. Buybacks (cite the policy bulletin) are not overseen by the NHTSA admin like recalls. Toyota is not legally bound by any means. I agree it's good of them to do this - but all you need to do is watch or read fight club to see the nefariousness of their hidden agenda. "A new car built by my company leaves somewhere traveling at 60 mph. The rear differential locks up. The car crashes and burns with everyone trapped inside. Now, should we initiate a recall? Take the number of vehicles in the field, A, multiply by the probable rate of failure, B, multiply by the average out-of-court settlement, C. A times B times C equals X. If X is less than the cost of a recall, we don't do one. " Before long there won't be any 1995-2000 Tacomas on the road in rust-belt states. That will be a good thing - I don't want to share the road with them. What will happen to the 2001 and newer series II trucks when they start failing on the road? I don't know - but I won't be driving one.