i wanted to bring back the topic of Bubbles' comment on the American Car industry. It is amazing how far behind our country is with design in general. American cars for the most part are big and ugly. Put aside eco friendly, green progressive ideas (which America is behind in too) the designs of these cars are so entrenched in a "type"
Take Chrysler for example. The current emblem is from a time during the Art Deco period. Instead of maintaining the original design, it has been bastardized to a watered down contemporary version that doesn't hold its design roots nor portray the car company to be a modern competitor to its foreign rivals. To me the emblem and the cars have connotations of "old" and "outdated." Chrysler continued this theme with the PT Cruiser....i'm sorry if anyone of you own one, but that is FUGLY! The Ford Taurus is butt ugly too
American car companies seem to have ignored the ideas of progress, innovation, and function and put their efforts into bringing back the "Charger" the "Mustang" and the "Challenger"
These reasons run parrallel why many Americans still desire "Colonial esque" homes...more on that later
14 comments:
Ugly is an understatement. Why can't these auto execs import some japanese/european designers. As ugly as these cars are, it is amazing how GM alone is the world leader in automotive sales. C'mon, the Pontiac Gran Prix has not seen a new design for what, 3 decades!?
And the Cadillac looks like something out of a ROBO COP sequel..."I like it!..."
people who drive a grand prix usually sport mullets
i miss my FOCUS
"I miss-a my dusty..."
dusty...that's funny....on another note, mom's been really taking a liking to my fish tank...i thought i would get her one and set it up for her....it can be pretty pricey though when all said and done....if anyone wants to contribute i would be welcome to it
Economist Mark Perry of the univ. of Michigan recently did a profit analysis on the 'Big Three.' According to his findings, ( based on congressional testimony) the average US union auto worker makes $79/hour after factoring in benefits like, pension, workmans comp, unemployment(job pool), and life time health care. The average foreign auto worker makes $43/hour after factoring in all their benefits. Another interesting factoid, in '07 GMs world wide sales were around 9.7 million cars, Toyota's were around 9.3 million.
GM lost 38.7 billion
Toyota made 17.1 billion
It's no wonder why American cars suck.
I'm on the fence with labor unions... in my own personal experience with building with philadelphias unions is that costs are drastically higher than work performed in an open shop... you know that they are specific jobs created to unwrap packages- this is a separate job from loading and unloading the same package- it's ridiculous!a tile installer can not install his own tile backing boards- instead he watches and directs a sheetrocker to where and how to install it- a one man job, now just became a two man job......... but at the same time, it's much easier to hold unions accountable for work that is performed incorrectly and the workers are trained properly for their craft.....you do result in a better job....most of the time
I agree. There are advantages and disadvantages, however, it seems that the disadvantages out-weigh the other. For example, in Philadelphia about three years ago, there was an investigation done on the unions handeling the 69th st. L. The project was to take approx. 6 years, it's been going 15 years now, and the project is only 60% finished. As a result the local area has been suffering a micro-depression, stores closing, houses boared, drug activity, etc. Another example is the 309 overpass, what it's been like 20years and they're still not done!?
Let's not forget SEPTA. The average SEPTA busdriver now earns as much as a Philly cop(55k/year to start, not including benefits), yet nearly every year they go on strike, and not one driver has been shot or killed in the line of duty.
I recall watching some documentary on the Disney empire. When the Magic Kingdom in Orlando was built, it took only 18 months, with NON-union labor. The engineering involved is still to be marveled even in todays standards.
Wall Mart is another example of non-union efficiency. Although everytime I step foot in a Wall Mart I find the inventory is in disarray, you can't beat their prices on things like bulk diapers or baby products.
Today I think some Unions serve more as an extention for political and financial gain rather than a functioning shelter for workers rights. Just peak into the current Illinois Governor corruption scandal where the Governor is caught on tape trying to negotiate a cushy union job in exchange for the open senate seat.
As the saying goes, it takes two to tango, if some unions are not on the 'up and up' someone in management or public office is just as responsible for the poor contract negotiation.
...but let me just defend mrs brogger a bit.....her teacher's union is absolutely necessary....while they do strike at times during contract renewals it is because the school's are constantly demanding more and more out of the teachers while pay and benefits increase at a disproportionate amount....some of the problems have to do with programs like "no child left behind," but a lot of it seems to stem from a general lack of accountability from parents and their own children....even now mrs brogger spends much of her time with CYA paperwork instead of improving upon better lesson plans
Bubbles and I had a lengthy discussion on this same issue. What I have concluded is that while most school boards are elected, this seems to keep districts like Colonial and Methacton, 'in check.' Poor curriculums and performance will result in different elected board members. On the other hand, 5% of the nation's school boards are appointed by city or state officials. This breeds unaccountability and ultimately corruption and lack of performance. It's no coincidence that all of the 5% of 'selected' school boards are among the worst performing.
As far as parent involvement, I agree totally. What I love about Colonial is that they make it damn near impossible to not be involved. Web sites like "Letter Grade," where parents can not only monitor their child's progress, but follow their on-going daily tasks and assignments, make keeping tabs on your kid easy.
The auto bailout should not happen. Let the Big Three file chapter 11. This will allow them to atleast re-negotiate union contracts. It will also allow them to re-tool their facilities, (for the sake of new designs or new innovation) and downsize more cost effectively.
Sooner of later the auto industry, like you mentioned, needs to get up to speed with innovation, but innovation of product must begin with how such products are made. All Japanese car factories, (even in the US), are over 70% automated. Laborers need virtually no job skill-set. Cars can be made more efficiently with less overhead, and re-tooling of factories can be done in a matter of hours or days rather than weeks and months.
In the end there is going to be a winner and a loser. Should a bailout be passed, the consumer will lose. No, or poor innovation, lack of quality product.
Should they go bankrupt the Unions will lose benefits and jobs, but the consumer will enjoy discounts to cars and ultimately better vehicles in the future. I'm still waiting for local dealerships to run a crazy buy one get one free deal.
Mark my words...it's going to happen.
buy one get one free. I like it....
In the end the auto industry is a business with choice and competition. If GM can't make a car that people will buy while at the same time turning a profit, I say DIE!! Let' look at WaWa vs. 7-11. 7-11 sucks for a variety of reasons, and owned by the largets convenience store corporation in the nation, Southland. If they ever got into trouble, should we bail them out just so they could keep selling old ass sandwiches, bad coffee and smelling up the neighborhood with curry odors from the staff? No!
Although I have to admit, I went on a tacquito binge for about three months. Store owner gave me one for free one day, and like a crack whore I couldn't get enough of them. I would even go out of my way in order to find a near by 7-11just to get my fix.
I'm so ashamed!
Just thinking about them...ohhh thank heaven for 7-11!
I think 7-11 uses cardboard shavings for thier coffee.
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