Nissan 370Z Forum  

LAT: No sympathy for Detroit at a Kia plant in Georgia

No sympathy for Detroit at a Kia plant in Georgia The residents of this town are learning to enjoy Korean barbecue, and are wary of bailing out American automakers. 'The

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z General Area > The Lounge (Off Topic) > Other Vehicles


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-30-2008, 02:16 AM   #1 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
cstr_Cali's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 347
Drives: smoke grey
Rep Power: 573
cstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond repute
Default LAT: No sympathy for Detroit at a Kia plant in Georgia

Quote:
No sympathy for Detroit at a Kia plant in Georgia
The residents of this town are learning to enjoy Korean barbecue, and are wary of bailing out American automakers. 'The foreign cars took the lead, and they deserve it,' says one.
By Richard Fausset

November 29, 2008

Reporting from West Point, Ga. — This attractive old mill town along the Chattahoochee River, with its brick downtown and streets of cozy, unpretentious homes, could be the backdrop for a patriotic American car commercial -- lacking only the plaintive croak of a Bob Seger or John Mellencamp.

But America's Big Three automakers, which are teetering at a financial abyss, shouldn't expect much sympathy here.

Kia Motors, the South Korean automaker, is building a plant in town, promising 2,500 jobs to help replace a textile industry that has all but vanished. The locals are excited to have nonunion work that will start at about $14 per hour. They are discovering the joys of bulgogi -- a different kind of barbecue -- at the Korean restaurants popping up.

And many are wondering why Detroit still thinks it's so special that it can ask taxpayers for a $25-billion bailout.

"The foreign cars took the lead, and they deserve it," said Emile Earles, owner of Sweet Georgia Brown, a gift shop on a quiet downtown thoroughfare.

Earles, 60, said she is fed up with Detroit -- fed up with its fat labor contracts, its arrogant CEOs and even her Cadillac, which gets only 15 miles per gallon and cost her dearly when gas spiked to $4.

Buying American, she added, "is still a big deal. But you can only be patriotic until you can't afford it anymore."

Such sentiments represent more than a marketing problem for the CEOs of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, who will return to Congress next week to argue that a federal cash infusion will help them avoid bankruptcy.

A number of the bailout opponents are lawmakers representing Southern states that have lured foreign auto plants in recent years with generous tax incentives and right-to-work laws that guarantee abundant cheap labor.

Like many residents of West Point, these lawmakers are wary of helping the domestic auto companies. Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-Ga.), whose district includes West Point, said the bailout would actually harm the companies by shielding them from the vigorous competition presented by auto plants in the South.

"Competition makes people do a better job," he said.

Westmoreland argues that fairness is another issue. Why, he wonders, should his constituents subsidize auto workers who, thanks to generous union contracts, often earn higher wages and better benefits than nonunion workers in the South? And didn't those contracts help get the Big Three into this mess?

"The benefits a lot of these union members are offered is much better than what the average guy gets out there, whether he's working in an auto plant or not," he said.

Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers, has argued that union contracts are not greedy, as some critics allege. This month, he said that lavish state incentives to foreign auto companies are one reason why domestic automakers deserve federal help.

Kia certainly found plenty of incentives in west Georgia. When the company announced plans for its auto plant in early 2006, it came after intense courting from state and local officials, who offered the company tax breaks and other incentives totaling more than $400 million.

In West Point, disdain for Detroit commingles with gratitude for Kia, which plans to begin production of its light SUV, the Sorento, next November.

The new jobs will counter the devastating collapse of the textile industry in this border region of Alabama and Georgia known as the Chattahoochee Valley.

The industry declined in the last two decades amid the turmoil of buyouts and the lure of cheap labor overseas. In Troup County, which encompasses part of West Point, unemployment stands at 8.9%. On the Alabama side, in Chambers County, unemployment is 14.3% -- the highest in the state.

It's little surprise then that Kia has received more than 43,000 applications for the 2,500 openings. Another 2,500 jobs will be created by five new suppliers that will make parts for the main plant.

As a result, West Point can seem like the rarest of American places these days -- a city daring to hope and planning for growth. Driving around town -- in his new Sorento -- Mayor Drew Ferguson IV talks of plans for riverfront development, a new high school, a new kayak launch on the river. Downtown, a sushi restaurant announces itself with a Grand Opening sign; a new Irish pub is coming soon.

Todd Costley, 45, owner of a house-painting company, has added the name of his business in Korean script on the side of his Ford Ranger pickup. He hasn't had any Korean business yet, but with the number of foreign workers who have arrived in town, he figures it's inevitable.

Costley is of the old school: He likes his car or motorcycle to carry an American brand. He supports bailing out Detroit, but reluctantly, fearing the broader economic calamity that may come if the carmakers fail.

But as part of the deal, he said, domestic auto companies must learn from their mistakes.

"I think our government needs to have somebody analyze these foreign carmakers," he said. "Maybe we can copy ourselves off of them."

Some of the opposition to the bailout stems from the long-standing opinion that Detroit no longer builds durable cars.

On Monday afternoon at the Korean BBQ House -- a year-old restaurant in a former Pizza Hut -- a pair of Georgia natives in work shirts sat among Korean businessmen and homemakers, sampling braised short ribs. Both worked for a company that was helping build the auto plant; they said they couldn't give their names for fear of losing their jobs.

The larger of the two men, a 57-year-old in a camouflage ball cap, growled angrily over what he called Detroit's incompetence.

"I drive an '86 Nissan -- it's got 160,000 miles, and I can drive it to California today," he said. "Now you show me an American car that can do that."

Across the street, more traditional Southern fare was offered at Roger's Pit-Cooked Bar-B-Que. Here, too, there was little enthusiasm for a bailout.

Owner Debbie Williams, 50, blamed the Big Three for failing to change with the times and build smaller cars. She said she was thinking about getting rid of her Ford Explorer. "My next car is going to be a Kia, 'cause I appreciate them coming," she said.

Leon Newton, 74, a retired pastor, said the domestic companies should be left to fend for themselves. Besides, he said, globalization has muddied the old rallying cry of "buy American."

"I have no problem with the foreign car companies because they employ people here in America," he said. "We're making 'em here."

Across town at Langley Motor Co., the local GM dealership, salesman Eddie W. Striblin sat in an empty showroom that seemed trapped in another era. The only car on the floor was a black-and-gold 1977 Trans Am in mint condition. The Marshall Tucker Band played on the radio.

Striblin predicted that, despite all their troubles, the Big Three would survive somehow. Other companies may have a better business model, he argued, but no one delivers the romance of the road like the Americans.

"Let me ask you a question," he said leaning over a clean desk. "You ever heard of anybody braggin' on a '57 Honda?"

Fausset is a Times staff writer.
Los Angeles Times: No sympathy for Detroit at a Kia plant in Georgia
cstr_Cali is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2008, 04:00 PM   #2 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
drmike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Kern Co., California
Age: 53
Posts: 356
Drives: '03 Mini S+'94 Miata
Rep Power: 16
drmike will become famous soon enoughdrmike will become famous soon enough
Default

Quote:
"Let me ask you a question," he said leaning over a clean desk. "You ever heard of anybody braggin' on a '57 Honda?"
Well, no, but I have watched people step on their tongues next to an old Skyline or 510, or an even older British or Italian car. Mr. Striblin is totally out of touch.
drmike is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2008, 06:46 PM   #3 (permalink)
dad
Grand Prix of Endurance
 
dad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 3,476
Drives: Mulsanne Straight
Rep Power: 25
dad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond repute
Default

$14.00 to start, that's good!

I have very little sympathy for Detriot! What am I saying,"I could care less"! I will not and won't, but a automobile made by the big 3! They dug their hole, let them go Chapter 11!
__________________

We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.
dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2008, 06:56 PM   #4 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
cstr_Cali's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 347
Drives: smoke grey
Rep Power: 573
cstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Yeh, and let millions of Americans loose their jobs sending this country into an actual depression, again. Yeh, they've dug their own holes, but lets remember what's at stake here.
cstr_Cali is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2008, 07:12 PM   #5 (permalink)
dad
Grand Prix of Endurance
 
dad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 3,476
Drives: Mulsanne Straight
Rep Power: 25
dad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond reputedad has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by cstr_Cali View Post
Yeh, and let millions of Americans loose their jobs sending this country into an actual depression, again. Yeh, they've dug their own holes, but lets remember what's at stake here.
The big3 need to restructure. Starting with the CEO's and management! If that is not done, then they will be back, holding their hand out in 20 or 30 years again!

$25 Billion dollar loan, or Chapter 11, many of them will still lose their job, or be laid off! "One way or the other, nothing is going to change that"!
__________________

We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.
dad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2008, 10:36 PM   #6 (permalink)
Previous Moderator
 
Slidefox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,534
Drives: A Pony
Rep Power: 213
Slidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond reputeSlidefox has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Slidefox
Default

Didn't Honda just do this as well in Tennessee as well or something? It's good to see the foreign cars THAT EVERYONE WANTS come to the US and make there cars here.
__________________
Forum Rules: Click Here Before Posting
Click Here to Become a Premium Member
Go Turbo or Go Home!!//Cowboys 2012 Superbowl Champs// Suns 2012 NBA Champions
Slidefox is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-30-2008, 11:00 PM   #7 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
cstr_Cali's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SoCal
Posts: 347
Drives: smoke grey
Rep Power: 573
cstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond reputecstr_Cali has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Its becoming cheaper to build cars here which is both good and bad. Good for obvious reasons: more GNP for the U.S. and an increase in employment in mid to low income areas. Cons: GDP (show up in respective countries of orign by make), increased competition for the domestics who just don't seem to get it no matter what, and USD is weaker (makes it cheaper to build domestically - at least for the Europeans).
cstr_Cali is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-01-2008, 01:29 AM   #8 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Socal
Posts: 34
Drives: 04 G35 coupe DG MT
Rep Power: 186
g35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond reputeg35lamd has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slidefox View Post
Didn't Honda just do this as well in Tennessee as well or something? It's good to see the foreign cars THAT EVERYONE WANTS come to the US and make there cars here.

BMW also has a plant in South Carolina.
g35lamd is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2