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Again, our discussion here are topic-driven and not simply an open chat room deal where anything goes. Let's get this one back on track please.
Companies with worker suggestion programs seem to do better. I worked for RCA in the early 1970s. They would reward worker suggestions. I received several thousand dollars for ideas that were implemented. It was based on the real savings as a result of using the employees idea. It is a valuable resource that is not used much today. The mentality is you need a college education to have good ideas.
She is an expert on the auto industry. And if the assertion in her book is incorrect, someone would have challenged it. So far, no one has.
hypnosis44: Do you really think the President of GM after driving GM into a wall is going to say "I confess - I did it"? No, he is going to say that those who have no say in management decisions actually made the decisions for management. In short "The workers did it, not me!"
Her quote wasn't from the president of GM. It was from a supervisor, and he didn't have any more control over management decisions than a lineworker. And do you think that the UAW is going to admit, "We keep the lines overstaffed to pad membership numbers, thus ensuring more dues from members and more money for the union?"
If that is true, why is Toyota planning to sell 250k full size PU trucks in 2007? Why did they spend a huge pile of cash building a new plant in San Antonio to build those 250k Tundra PU trucks? It will be a long time before the PU truck market diminishes. The SUV market is diluted by all the CUVs being offered.
No, you specifically said that no line worker makes a six-figure salary, and you have been proven incorrect. (Research is a wonderful thing.)
Not all UAW members make that much money, but some (primarily the more skilled workers, from what I can tell) clearly do.
No...Taylorism was invented in the early 20th century, and actually adopted by Henry Ford I. You mean the Deming system, which was rejected by Detroit after World War II, and embraced by Japan.
I don't care where it comes from - it obviously works. That is what matterrs.
Nonsense. It was the truth, and sometimes the truth hurts. Deal with it. Get out of the union hall, and see both sides of this issue. You'll be better informed.
You know, you'll have more credibility on this subject if you show some actual knowledge regarding it. I'm still trying to figure out where you ever got the idea that the exchange rate does not affect the price of goods.
No, the goal of entrepreneurs who started a business was either to have their idea brought to life, or fulfill their dream. Providing a job to others was secondary.
Sorry, but history didn't start with the Reagan era, and if you believe that providing jobs was the main goal of businesses, then you need to do LOTS more research. You aren't too well-informed.
hypnosis44: When I was building my business part of the gratification was in creating jobs and affecting peoples lives, as well as being a art of the community. Now we let our people die.
And if you weren't concerned about making money while building your business, I'll bet that it didn't last too long. No business lasts long if it loses money, or only breaks even.
Here's a quiz, focusing on the auto industry:
Who invented the self starter for automobiles?
Who came up with the idea of professionally styling vehicles and changing the looks every year to stimulate sales?
Who adapted the principles of the assembly line and mass production to the automobile industry?
Who designed the Model T?
Second question - were those milestones - all of which substantially grew the industry and generated new wealth - the result of the union (or workers) or the founder or highly place executives within the company (i.e., "management")?
hypnosis44: In owning my own businesses, as well as managing others, and for that matter every time I got a dividend check, I understood and appreciated that the workers had made the money for me. There are a million ideas floating around out there but without workers to make them happen, nothing happens but day dreams. The continued implicit and explicit denial of this reality by elitist management and investors continues to sap the moral spirit of American workers.
And without the entrepreneurs who take the risk to form the company or make their ideas a reality, those workers wouldn't have a job.
For that matter, if you hadn't got the ball rolling, neither would any of the people who worked for you.
Again - you need to realize that that unions (a collection of workers organized to represent their interests) can be as destructive and/or stupid as management. Pointing this out does not make one "anti-worker" or "elitist."
Sorry, but workers aren't saints. They aren't sinners, either (I never said they were). They are human beings, as prone to goodness and intelligent decisions - or selfishness and shortsightedness - as anyone else. If anyone can't see both sides of the issue here, it is you.
2007 Toyota Tundra Makes a Strong Debut in the Large Pickup Segment, Power Information Network Reports - Daily Auto Insider
The Daily Auto Insider
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
March 2007
Initial trading patterns for the all-new 2007 Toyota Tundra suggest a strong start for this model in the domestic-dominated large pickup segment, according to real-time retail transaction data from the Power Information Network (PIN), a division of J.D. Power and Associates.
Since the all-new 2007 Toyota Tundra large pickup was launched in early February, owner loyalty for this model, which represents the percentage of Tundra owners who traded for another Tundra, is 53 percent (February only) — more than twice the January rate of its predecessor and more than 20 percentage points higher than in February of 2006, according to a PIN news release.
Additionally, trading from the Tundra to each of the mainstream domestic large pickups (Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Ford F-150, Ram 1500) dropped considerably in February when compared with January, while trading in the reverse direction increased.
Nevertheless, owners of domestic large pickups remained relatively loyal to their vehicles. According to PIN data, both the Silverado 1500 and F-150 experienced owner loyalty increases of 4 percentage points when comparing transactions in February to those in January, while the Ram's owner loyalty remained steady. (Loyalty for the Titan is not included since it has only been on the market for three and one-fourth years.)
The combination of increased Tundra loyalty and steady domestic model loyalty raised the large pickup segment share of industry from 12.4 percent in January to 14.4 percent in February.
"It's still early, and owner loyalty is just one measure of marketplace success, but so far the Tundra seems to be gaining strength in the segment," said Tom Libby, senior director of industry analysis at PIN. "This is an interesting scenario because the impressive strength of the Toyota juggernaut is being pitted against the domestics' long-time stronghold."
The Tundra's owner loyalty rose in February even though it sold at a higher average retail transaction price than any of its direct competitors. The actual retail transaction price for the all-new 2007 Tundra in February was $33,182 — almost $900 more than the F-150 ($32,312) and $1,450 more than the Silverado 1500 ($31,727). The Ram 1500 ($25,564) and the Titan ($27,664) both sold at prices considerably below the competition.
Four of five large pickup models sold with loans that included an annual percentage rate (APR) between 9 and 11 percent, while the F-150's APR was far below the competition at slightly more than 7 percent. The monthly payment for these models, purchased with a 72-month loan, ranged from $558 to $603.
"New products and stable fuel prices will drive a strong rebound in the large pickup segment in 2007, increasing from 13.5 percent of the total sales market in 2006 to 14.2 percent," said Jeff Schuster, executive director of automotive intelligence at J.D. Power and Associates. "Toyota dove head first into a very competitive segment with a solid entry, and although the model lineup is not yet as robust as the competition, we expect the Tundra to nearly double in volume from 124,508 in 2006 to 210,000 in 2007."
PIN data also indicates that while the national transaction price for the 2007 Tundra was the highest in the competitive set, the Tundra did not sell at the highest price in every region of the country. Specifically, the Tundra commanded the highest transaction price in the Midwest, Southwest and West, but its price was second highest in the Northeast (after the F-150) and third in the Southeast (after the Silverado 1500 and F-150). Additionally, the Tundra's price ranged from a high of $34,394 in the West to a low of $32,796 in the Southwest. Transaction prices in the Southwest for each of the five large pickup models were lower than in any other region, reflecting the fierce competition in large pickups in this particular part of the country.
GM
Truck sales
Bring on the diesels, the duallies and the HD lineup. That should really help them gain an even stronger foothold, all of it of course built in the good ol USofA :shades:
I dont think Toyota will bring the HD duty TUNDRA just out of pity for the domestics. I mean all three of them are flirting with bankruptcy (especially FORD and CHRYSLER). The full size truck is their last line of defense. If they lose that market they are finsihed.
I also think a full lineup of Tundra models will make for healthy competition amongst the segment. Trust me, I am a Ford guy at heart and I have faith that the next F-150 will leapfrog the competition in capabilities (Heck, right now they have the best payload and towing for their class even though they are some of the oldest designs) It's good to see outside competition putting everyone on notice. The consumer wins in the end.
.. then the buyers had to look the few over.
.. then the buyers had to decide which new model to get.
.. then the dealers had to fight the fact that the initial shipments from TX were mainly Reg Cab base models @ $23000+
.. but the buyers are requesting/buying the Dble Cabs.
.. so the RC's sit as lot anchors while there are few if any DC's in any configuration.
Ramp up is difficult and it's way too early to judge anything after 3 weeks of sales and a plant that is just coming on stream.
Revisit this in 4th Qtr.
Huh?
I can't believe that we exist in the same world. What are we perceiving differently. What has not been good for Toyota? Sales up, profits up, new investments all over the place, new products such as hybrids and trucks coming out every 6 months that are changing the vehicle industry.
If you're mentioning being more in the spotlight and taking heat from every source imaginable from the Bluewater greenies to the goofball press blaming them for 100 years of pollution in Canada then yes it's been 'difficult'. But that's OK. Being in the spotlight means fending off the slings and arrows while having a thick skin and holding the course. Business is never easy.
Again, zero to do with Toyota...
Like it or not, today Cadillac is playing second fiddle in status and prestige to Mercedes and Lexus in even its home market.
On another site a-t-b-o- last week they had a report from Toyota stating because of the slow sales of the Tundra, they are holding off plans for the HD models.
Nissan has also announced that the planned 2010 HD models that were to feature the Navistar diesel (same as the Fords) have been canceled.
Lexus is still not sold in many parts of the world, so Cadillac is better known than Lexus outside the U.S.
Mercedes are sold throughout the world - Europe, Asia, South America and Africa. In some of those places, Cadillacs are not even available. And not just the smaller Mercedes, or the models used as taxicabs, but the S-Class models. Go to Europe, Asia, South America or Africa...more than likely, the truly rich are riding around in a Mercedes S-Class.
incentive to get its own dealers to buy one !!!!!!!!!
Or is it they are too expensive?
http://www.www.autoblog.com/2007/03/17/toyota-offers-tundra-deal-to-dealers/
C'mon up to Mass. around tax day. Last year, dealers were offering 12 grand off full size Chevy utes and pickups...
I have also heard the excuse that the new Tundra is not selling because everyone wants a crew cab not a regular cab. Seems Toyota missed the mark and built more regular cabs than they can sell. Regular cab PU trucks are sold to fleet buyers. I cannot see Toyota cutting into that market with an unproven Truck.
All we really know about the truck is it is extremely powerful, tows a lot, and doesn't have a fully-boxed frame. There are more crash tests to come, and how many full-size truck buyers weigh that heavily? Pretty hard to get hurt in one of these, if wearing a seat belt. Let's wait for the IIHS test before selling the house, k?
It's too early to tell how it will sell, they aren't even fully-ramped up yet! :confuse:
It'll be a good, not great year.
DrFill
Name one specific benefit to the fully boxed frame with some verifiable data to support it. Don't bother, there is none. We've beaten that horse to death. I'm not sure if you realize that the open C frame is just under the bed. Ohhhh you didn't. I understand your post then.
Your math is fuzzy too. While yes the Reg Cabs are way off the market, intentionally, and are sitting unsold the Double Cabs are priced anywhere from $2000 to $5000 under the the others ( all equipment the same ). These are in short supply.
The CrewMax's just arrived and there are waiting lists. Go figure.