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From WNEM.com: “GM Installing Automated Line At Ohio Plant, Union Agrees To Concessions To Help Ford Stay Competitive With GM, Chrysler”:
LORDSTOWN, Ohio — Despite bankruptcy reports, GeneralMotors said it is moving forward with a $350 billion investment at its Lordstown, Ohio, plant.
The automaker will install 840 robots ahead of next year’s production of the Chevy Cruze.
Local union leaders said the project gives workers a reason for hope. About 1,100 union workers are employed at the plant.
Meanwhile, the UAW said it has finish voting Monday on concessions to help Ford.
15 Comments on “No Wonder the GM Bailout is So Expensive…...”
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Well, they can’t really just shut down operations while waiting to see what happens. The Cruze is an important future product for them, they should move towards getting ready to start building it. If they fail, they fail, but if not, they need to keep moving. If you had an idea that you might die soon, would you want to lie around and wait for it, or get out and do something? GM has made some bonehead moves, but at least there are signs that they’re trying to do some things right.
The bigger problem is the in plant work rules. Only unionized personell can work on the automation. Many of the tradesmen are just over their heads and the result is many hours of downtime.
$350 billion investment
Wow. GM is only asking for $30 billion from the government.
$350 billion. 1100 workers. That is only $300 million per job.
$350 billion?!
That figure can’t be right….
It is a $350 million investment in the plant according to the press release posted here:
http://www.prdomain.com/companies/G/GeneralMotors/newsreleases/200882261143.htm
Reporters seem to be having a lot of trouble keeping their millions, billions and trillions straight these days.
What I’m wondering is, when GM goes belly up, do they get to default on the bailout money and whoever they borrowed this $350b from? If so, they should be racking up as much debt as possible right now.
“Reporters seem to be having a lot of trouble keeping their millions, billions and trillions straight these days.”
No wonder. Our government is spending money so fast our calculators can’t keep up with it.
Math-tarded reporters could aid their fellow Americans by giving bailout costs as a per capita amount.
$1 Billion divided by (about) 300 million Americans is $3.33 per person for every billion spent.
$100 Billion is $333 per person…
Reporters seem to be having a lot of trouble keeping their millions, billions and trillions straight these days.
Do politicians know there is a difference?
John
C’mon Robert….you TTAC guys didn’t think that $350 BILLION sounded high? Google search actually listed this article first…
Despite GM’s troubles, Ohio workers upbeat
The Associated PressPublished: March 8, 2009 Associated Press
LORDSTOWN, Ohio: Amid talk of a potential General Motors Corp. bankruptcy, workers at the automaker’s Lordstown complex are moving ahead with the installation of 840 robots, a $350 million investment ahead of next year’s scheduled production start on the Chevrolet Cruze.
The investment in the robots, which would weld steel parts into the body of the fuel-efficient car, is small compared to the billions of dollars that would be lost if GM failed. But local union leaders said it’s enough to give workers reason to remain upbeat.
I think another thing worth noting is the reliance on robots. Not exactly lean production (complex, high tech, costly to buy and maintain) and previous attempts to automate to this extent have resulted in lower quality and lots of down time.
Sure John (JK43123), they know the difference. The T is bigger than the B is bigger than the M when lobbying dollars get thrown their way.
840 robots is a lot of machinery. My guess is that they’re replacing some Roger Smith era equipment.
The trouble with taking gov’t money is that every move you make, even normal day to day business operations like advertising and equipment purchases, is under the microscope.
Hmm Lordstown Ohio plant? Robots to build a small GM car? OMG! It is the government subsidized 21st century re-incarnation of the Vega!