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RE: Time to upgrade to a 2008/9 Tundra
I work for GM, so I probably sound biased. I do believe we will be around regardless of having to file or getting loans to make it to 2010.
GM has had an almost 50% drop in warranty costs in the last 5-6 years. They also offer a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty.
The new Ford is a nice piece of work as well. I know little about the Dodge, but if I were you, I wouldn't shop without looking at one. Lots of great history, lessons learned, and creature comforts are in today's modern trucks.
Buy the one that fits your taste, but I would also add that you need not fear any of the makes. The new Tundra had quite a few issues at first too.
If you do look in the direction of GM, I'm willing to bet you can get a great deal on one. And if that isn't enough, I am quite certain I can help you save some bucks on one. Just contact me. That goes for anyone.
To summarize my main point here, look at all of them, and don't fear consideration of all of them. The right one will manifest itself in your search.
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NickG
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11/29/08 11:10am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Some Facts From Detroit
RBW, if the BIG 3's problems are NOT the concern of the federal government, then why were they SO concerned about mandating CAFE standards? What is it? Should they be concerned or not? They sure have been for a long time now, not to mention the big tax breaks to foriegn companies.
But NOW... they shouldn't be concerned?
I'm not familair with your area, but I'm guessing that your local ice cream parlor didn't directly or indirectly employ about 1 in 10 people in this country. To make that comparison is ludicrous.
The biggest problem we had was the cost difference. That has been worked out, but we need to get to 2010. Do you really think a LOAN for 25 billion is not of their concern compared to what the ripple effect will do? I an assure you it will cost much more that is not repaid if the Big 3 go down.
The current management has done remarkable things in restructuring. However, nobody seems to want to hear about it.
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NickG
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11/28/08 07:53pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Some Facts From Detroit
The one point that seems to missed over and over and over again is the VEBA agreement that kicks off in 2010. By shifting the health care responsibilities onto the UAW, it essentially eliminates the cost disadvantage to the foriegn makes.
We get criticized for NOT doing what they do, but then get criticized for asking for a LOAN from the government. Don't people understand that the Asain brands are heavily subsidized by their governemnt? And that they have health care through their government?
Could you imagine if the domestic industries asked the government to regularly subsidize their operations and take care of the health care for the employees?
And for 30 years, the government mandated CAFE restrictions, but that did NOTHING to change buyers habits. Nothing did that until $4.00 a gallon gas.
So here you have the government mandating business models but doing nothing to help reach that goals, but hey, "Make sure you get your costs in line with Japan."
And now when we ask for a LOAN to bridge the company to 2010 so that we can reach that level playing field, we get slammed for that too?
Our government creates tax breaks for foriegn makes to build here. Their government takes much of their costs off their hands. The domestic industries get nothing like that.
Oh, but wait, let's slam them again if they invest in a plant in another country.
The hipocrisy is ASTOUNDING!
We had a business model. It has been credited for creating the middle class. Now we're bastards. Beggers. Losers. "Let them die", eh?
I hope to GOD that my American brothers and sisters prosper. You will never see me lashing out from jealously, anger, or propagated misinformation.
GOD BLESS THE USA!
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NickG
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11/28/08 07:58am |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: A view from within GM
NickG...........One thing to remember......your employer is NOT responsible for YOUR economic and financial well being.
If you read the whole thing, you will see that nowhere do I say I feel my employer is responsible for my economic and financial well being. In fact, I say that I do not feel entitled to anything. GM has paid me for every hour I ever put in. Thats all they are responsible for.
To many people think that there employer owes them.
Where do you see that I said I felt my employer owes me?
So be prepared to look for another job when they show you the door. Working for someone else is a priveledge, not a right.
I also say that I know what may be in my future, but I accept that.
Why answer what I wrote in a manner that shows you didn't read it?
I said already that I didn't write it to change anyone's mind. I wrote it in response to the multitude of of articles and postings I see about autoworkers.
and a 2008 chevy. Got rid of them and now own 2 Hyundai's and am very happy with both. Wish GM built QUALITY vehicles.
As far as the quality of your GM's, that's your experience. I know we're better than that. There is no way I believe that GM wouldn't fix a 2008 in 2008. I'm sure you have a story though.
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NickG
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11/18/08 06:58pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Holding The Door
As I stood in line the other day with a basket full of items for Operation Christmas Child, I had a conversation with the guy behind me that went like this:
ME: "How are you doing?"
HIM: "Blessed, and you?"
ME: "Highly favored."
The obvious references to the Bible got us talking and we spoke about the basket full of stuff. There were five of each items. I told him about Operation Christmas Child and how these shoe boxes full of gifts will be sent all over the world to kids who live in poverty, or in villages where the oldest member is 15 due to disease killing off the elders.
The man pulled out $10 and handed it to me saying, "Let me give you something to help that out."
There is good will in the big city too :)
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NickG
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11/18/08 08:56am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: A view from within GM
In this country it is law that small children have to be in car seats. In Michigan, this is up to eight years old or 4' 9". If you have three kids in car seats, which is very probable under these kinds of laws, what car fits all three?
Also, compare the average width of an American's butt to most other countries. We're getting larger.
But we should be making narrower cars?
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NickG
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11/17/08 09:00am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: A view from within GM
H & E, just a thought, are all the seats breaking down or mainly the driver's seat? And what is the weight difference between you and your wife? I know my 230 lbs will wear out a good seat long before my wife's 130 lbs will wear out a bad one.
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NickG
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11/17/08 07:06am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wives
Chet and Earl are on rocking in their chairs on the front porch while their wives gossip inside.
Chet says to Earl, "Me 'n the wife saw a reeeeal good movie las' night."
Earl asks, "Yea? What movie dija' see?"
Chet struggles, "It was called... it was uh... I think it was... Help me out here, Earl. What's the name of that flower... with the red petals... an' those thorns..."
Earl says, "A rose?"
Chet is relieved, "A rose! That's it!"
With that, Chet turns to the open screen door and yells inside the house, "Hey Rose! What was the name of that movie we saw last night?"
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NickG
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11/16/08 05:52pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wives
The following Saturday, an old mans sits by himself at the diner...
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NickG
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11/16/08 05:44pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Wives
An older couple is sitting at their usual table in the diner one Saturday morning. As usual, the man is reading the paper as his wife sits across from him.
A young couple comes in obviously in love. When they are seated at the booth across the aisle from the older couple, the young man waits for his girl to be seated, then he snuggles in next to her on the same side of the booth.
The woman says to her husband, "Look at that, Henry! That man sat right next to his girl. Why don't you do that?"
The man peeks over his paper and eyes the young couple, then replies, "I would love to, but he already took the spot."
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NickG
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11/16/08 05:43pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: List products that ARE made, grown or assembled in the US
howtobuyamerican.com
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NickG
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11/16/08 02:39pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: A view from within GM
Is anyone familiar with the VEBA agreement and the two-tier wage system? The UAW did agree to some historical changes that even the analysts agree will bring the cost of making cars in line with the foriegn makes. In 2010, it becomes much cheaper for GM to do business.
I'll say it again; I know I'm not going to change anyone's mind here. That is not what I am trying to do. However, one fellow did ask for reasons why there should be support for the US auto industry from the government. Here is a short list of reasons that you "may" find worthy:
No other U.S. industry generates more employment, annual economic output, exports, R&D investment, or retail business than the U.S. auto industry.
Directly employs nearly a quarter of a million people;
Supports another 5 million Americans at dealerships, parts suppliers and service providers;
Has invested nearly a quarter of a trillion dollars in U.S. over last two decades, including $10 billion alone last year;
Spends $12 billion annually in R&D in U.S., which exceeds aerospace, medical equipment and communications industries;
Purchased $156 billion in U.S. auto parts supporting jobs in all 50 states and is the largest purchaser of U.S. steel, aluminum, iron, copper, plastics, rubber and electronic and computer chips;
Another argument I hear is that we don't have fuel efficient cars. We're known as the gas-guzzling truck and SUV makers. However, if you list the top ten global brand names in order of their products average MPG across the entire brand, you may be surprised to hear that Chevy is #3, and you have to go through Saturn and Pontiac to get to #10 which is Toyota.
http://autos.aol.com/article/green/_a/best-worst-automaker-fuel-economy/20080711132109990002
Top 10 Best Average Fuel Economy AutoMakers
Rank Combined Manufacturer # Cars
1 27.66 mpg MINI 12
2 23.81 mpg Honda 27
3 23.36 mpg Chevrolet 88
4 22.33 mpg Lotus 3
5 22.21 mpg Volkswagen 28
6 22.20 mpg Pontiac 24
7 22.14 mpg Saturn 21
8 21.8 mpg KIA 20
9 21.77 mpg Suzuki 18
10 21.6 mpg Toyota 55
I think Chevy being only .5 gallon behind Honda is awesome considering that the average takes into account a line of those full sized trucks and SUV's.
In the last 4-5 years, I have witnessed a GM that I wouldn't have recognized 10 years ago.
Skid Row, I can't change your mind. But let it be known that the GM that built those cars over 30 years ago is not that same GM of today. The American auto industry may have lost you forever. That is your choice.
Another point I'd like to make concerns the people that talk about how we are not competitive with the foriegn brands. The US is about thee only country that does not subsidize its auto industry. Japan and Korea supports their industries with government funding. On top of that, they have tax breaks to open facilities here. Add in the unfair trade policies that make it impossible to export our cars there. Yes, we have made our own mistakes, but we have the product today. However, we still have an unfair position of both governmets working for the foriegn makes.
I seriously don't want to argue with people. I hope you understand that my ears are tuned into the media and I see a whole lot misunderstanding and armchair analysts saying whatever they want.
I just wanted to say something too. Nothing I'm seeing in the responses surprises me. In fact, it is one of the reasons I wrote what I wrote.
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NickG
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11/14/08 11:32pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: A view from within GM
Great comments,all. I hope I was clear that I wrote what I wrote just to give another perspective. One that I think is lacking any real attention. We seem to be judged by the very worst of impressions.
I wasn't trying to change anyone's opinions. I'm not fool enough to think I can do that in this capacity. I've been chatting on message boards for years and have never seen much evidence that it is probable. Possible? sure.
As far as making my own way, I agree. I elude to that where I say that I am fearful, but I accept it. I'm not fearful for me. I'm educated and smart, and with all the bad news, I know I still live in the best country on the planet. I will be fine. I do worry about the intrim and how I explain it to three 6-year-olds. I also worry about healthcare costs with a wife that has regular blood pressure readings of 170 over 125 and no solution in site. Please don't take my fears to equal giving up. I've got skills beyond my job. I'll get by somehow.
I'm not sure how I would staff an assembly line. I would want enough people to run the line when it is cranking full speed, but how do I know what speed it will always go? And I think a Corvette plant isn't the norm. Still, this is just my obsevation, and is probably worth less that the keyboard used to type it.
Guys, here is what I'm trying to say:
I know where we are. I know where we've been. I know where we can go. My words don't come from bias. They come from real world observations of the changes I have seen internally, and knowing the future possiblities with the new business model. In the end, I am simply promising you that, if we are to get through this period, the normal at GM will reflect myself more than the typical lazy autoworker stereotype. I will personaly do my best along with many others to make sure any help we receive is not in vain.
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NickG
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11/14/08 05:08pm |
Around the Campfire
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A view from within GM
So much I have read talks about the autoworkers. The UAW gets more attention then us salaried workers at the "worker bee" level. I just felt compelled to write for people like us.
Voices from the Bottom Row
Dominic Gerace
I read a lot about the public perception of the autoworkers. Since the comments I read are often repeated, I can only surmise that a lot of people are very interested in talking about work dynamics and habits of the typical autoworker. So I decided to give you some perspective from an employee’s view. Read no further if you are not interested in hearing another viewpoint.
I am a body structures designer for GM and I use Unigraphics to do my job. I am currently working on three different programs. I am designing parts and creating design studies for four different engineers. I organize my work by timing of the due dates, and I strive to meet them. I also attend meetings when my parts are required for review.
I go to lunch around 11:00. This usually consists of me reaching from brown bag and eating leftovers from the night before (if we happened to have time to cook between school conferences and other seemingly endless things that pop up as the weeks come into focus). Most times, I eat at my desk and read. Often, work does call during lunch and I return to designing or reviewing while I eat.
I am paid for 8-hours, but I am not a clock watcher. I work what it takes to get the job done. When special projects arise that require a volunteer, I raise my hand.
I am 41 years old. I have a wife with major health issues. She has been hospitalized nine times since January. It is not over yet. I also have six-year-old triplets. We all attend church on Sundays and Wednesdays.
I also attend Central Michigan University in pursuit of my Bachelors degree in Vehicle Design Engineering. I have an Associate’s degree in Vehicle Design from a community college and a Designing Engineer certificate from Michigan Technological University. I have paid for most of my classes out of my own pocket. GM paid once I got hired, but I got myself there. They have now relinquished the tuition reimbursement. I will still go to school.
I hope you understand that, when I read about lazy autoworkers, it hits a nerve with me. I am surrounded every day by men and women doing the same thing I am doing. We are fighting for our jobs and not a single one of us feels entitled to anything.
I am not UAW. However, the common opinions of the UAW is decades old. Yes, there are bad eggs in every job, and there are still steps to take, but if you have been following for the last five years, you know that the UAW at GM is barely a shell of its former self. And there are still metrics in place that will further the progress to being competitive with the foreign business model.
There are times when we’re slow, as is the nature of programs winding down and ramping up, that I feel guilty at the end of the day. I hate not being busy. I WANT to EARN my wages.
I don’t believe I am unique. I believe most everyone is like me. I want to right wrongs. I want to produce. I want to make people happy and, if I could find a way to change the perception of the company I work for, I would. I know we are making the best product we ever have, and I know it is world class. I know we have made great strides in quality, styling, and cost cutting. We are doing way more with much less and I feel GREAT PRIDE in being a part of GM.
It hasn’t been fun for the last 3-4 years, but I still love my job. I have survived headcount reductions, but they keep coming. I know what might be ahead for me. I accept it as well. I will lean on my faith, but I fear greatly the reality of what will happen to my family. That said, I would regret the worse happening without my voice being heard in support of my GM brothers and sisters. I cannot change my external environment, but I can choose how I react to it. This is my reaction.
People have strong opinions about autoworkers, and I’m certain they are rooted in varying degrees of history and truth. However, I am here to tell you that today, I represent the general employee base here at GM. Nobody denies the fact that we have made some blunders. We lost our way in the eighties and we stumbled through the nineties. But this company is 100 years old. Along with Ford and Chrysler, our cars and trucks have been the lion's share of choices when it comes to parades, car shows, cruises, farming, construction, contractors, movies, children’s' automotive dreams, and adults' automotive passions. From our earliest models of class and elegance to wartime transformations, we've built history. From dependency on oil to breakthrough technologies in alternative fuels, we are building the present. With a competitive global business model in place, a workforce of passionate men and woman, and seemingly endless opportunities to explore new technologies, I know we can build the future!
Peace be with you, brothers and sisters,
Dominic Gerace
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NickG
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11/14/08 01:57pm |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Whould you buy a new vehicle....
OK flamers, have at it!
If there ever was a time to buy "American Built", this is the time. I know there is not and may never again be a truly American built vehicle, but we need to make some effort to keep our dollars in the USA. We need to protect American jobs, even the union workers on the line, because the job losses will go MUCH deeper than those in "Detroit". How many lost their jobs when the "dealer diappeared overnight"?
I read that unemployment claims are the highest since 9-11. We are looking at a total meltdown if we down pull together and get a grip. JMHO OK flamers, let go!
Thank you, Sailor. I read a lot in the evening as I wind down after the kids are in bed. What I read prompted me to write. If you're interested:
Voices from the Bottom Row
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NickG
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11/13/08 08:38pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: Cell phone in blackwater tank, OOPS!
When you pulled it out, did you get the phone analog?
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NickG
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11/11/08 07:14pm |
Travel Trailers
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RE: Veterans Asssembly rant and beyond
If I had a moment like that, here is how I "think" I woul dhave answered:
"No, you do not have to go at all. It is completely optional, and totally your choice. However, I want you to know that the assembly is in honor of men and women who dedicated themselves, and thousands died, to protect your right to choose not to go. As long as I am sure you understand that, I won't hold it against you that you chose not to attend."
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NickG
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11/11/08 11:20am |
Around the Campfire
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RE: Chevy Traverse - top Tow Vehicle
Not to mention 5-star driver/passenger frontal and side crash ratings, 116 cu ft of cargo space, use of high strength steels, and attention paid to interior noise levels.
The Lambda line is not a gimmick. They really do combine much of the best features of SUV's and minivans.
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NickG
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11/07/08 05:48pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: What is Piston Slap?
Aint gotta worry about resale when you drive it until it's a pile of dust ;)
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NickG
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10/28/08 10:38pm |
Tow Vehicles
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RE: What is Piston Slap?
Any thoughts?
My van with the 6.0 clacks at startup then, as it warms up, it quiets down and goes away, then slowly returns, and then goes away again. It takes about twenty seconds.
Burns no oil between changes. I use Mobil 1. It is a 2004 with 55,000 miles. My kids ar 6 years old. I plan on teaching them to drive in this van. I am 100% confident that this engine will still be intact and ready for the abuse at that time.
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NickG
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10/28/08 09:16pm |
Tow Vehicles
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