in many ways I think the Japanese cars these days are actually pretty cheap. About a month ago I was at the Nissan dealer and they had '06 Altima S models with the 2.5/auto and some kind of "special edition" package that were marked down to about $18,500. And I'm sure you could get them down some from that. Sure, you could probably still get a Malibu that's better equipped for less money, but at least it's not like the old days when a loaded-up 1985 Camry cost about $14-15K, around the same as a loaded-up 1985 Caprice or Parisienne!
Although if you want to go hog-wild with options, you can load up a Camry or Altima to where they MSRP around $30k these days. But to be fair, you can do that with an Impala too.
What was the so-called fair wage and benefit package the company was offering that made them go out on strike ? You speak with so much emphasis that the company was offering such a great new contract, you must know. We have the largest and 2nd largest meat packaging plants in the country and they make $14 an hour and pay a sizable portion in health insurance. If that's a fair wage, then your and I's definition of fair is quite different. :surprise:
Rocky
P.S. Meat packing was considered one of the most dangerous and hardest jobs on this planet.
Read it again dude. I said "they brought in union bullies." These guys were not local workers, but were brought in to "help" local leaders. They helped them all right, right into bankruptcy.
Well the shareholders protect the deadbeat CEO's they hire because they all have "Million Dollar Golden Parachutes" :mad:
I can't tell you how many times I vote against something on the proxys they send out to shareholders. Not one made a bit of difference because large shareholders votes override mine.
Union bullies you are referring to must be the international. BTW- I'm glad they bullied them. Somebody needed to stand up for principals.
C'mon, get your head out of the sand. That's the mentality that created this mess in the first place. International my a**. Straight from union headquarters would be my guess. BTW, the company was Hormel in Austin MN. Look it up for yourself.
Yep, you and I are powerless. That's why I support and proud to be a union member myself. Sometimes bullying tatics are the only way to get large corporations to pay its workforce a fair wage. It's not all about money, but also about working conditions. Agree some unions went overboard with job classifications to protect union jobs, but if you've paid attention those rules have been severely loosened because of the "unfree market" as Mr. Dobbs calls it.
That is true, but wouldn't you prefer to drive a Impala SS over a guised up Camry ?
Yeah, I would prefer an Impala SS over a Camry, but heck, I remember a few years back, you could get the Impala LS to MSRP for $30K! If you got it fully loaded up, plus that option package that blacked out most of the rear taillights, which drew emphasis to the round portion and made it look a bit more like the Bel Airs of days gone by, it would MSRP for about that.
I think the Impala is one car that has actually become a better value over the years. At least today a $30K Impala gets you a V-8, and the '06+ model, IMO at least, has a better-finished interior.
Well, you've been lucky to have never been bullied by a employer. I have, and am glad I no longer have to worry about that without recourse. My boss right now is bulley, and we are fixing his wagon, as we speak.
Thankfully GM, isn't a bully under Rick Wagoner, and the UAW is doing lots of things to help Rick out including sending a strong message to Kerkorkian, whom has tried to "strong-arm" Rick, with these Renault-Nissan talks. Ron Getterfinger, told the board that basically we will only work with Rick, and if you want a friendly negotiation next contract that will be the only way it will be friendly. So I'd be willing to bet Rick, will try his best at some point to repay Ron, for being in his corner during tough times.
"If that's a fair wage, then your and I's definition of fair is quite different."
Yes, it is QUITE different.
If a group of Union employees is making $14/hr doing a job, and there are 1000's of local individuals QUALIFIED to do the same job for $12/hr, what is the fair wage?
If the wages/benefits leading to a strike are so 'unfair', why is there a fear that some (many) individuals might try to cross the picket lines and work anyway? Why is violence (or intimidation) necessary to keep the Union workers in line and the non-Union workers away?
"The thing we were opposed to was giving so much and getting so little in return," Mr. Lutz said. GM wanted to do a smaller-scale deal with Nissan or Renault – such as joint development of cars for underdeveloped countries or making a "world engine" that could have been used by all three companies – that did not involve an equity participation, Mr. Lutz said.
He said GM is open to such partnerships.
"There were some really good projects there that we all could have benefited from. Just the one that didn't make sense was them buying 20 percent of us and locking us up."
This strikes me as odd: I hope something does save GM, because its midsize sedans are such good buys on the used car market. I would love to have a Malibu Maxx SS, but I have to wait until they hit the used car lots because I cannot stand having a large debt. Looks like I'm one of a very few in that department.
You're not alone, anyway... After witnessing the depreciation hit on my last two new cars (both were from US automakers, BTW), I will never buy a new car again! 25% in a year!?! Better to find a low-mileage two year old car, and let them take the hit. And other than cars and a house, I won't buy anything else unless I have the money to pay for it. Capital One (or any other crefit card) is NOT in MY wallet!
LOL, Delphi has $16 Billion in Asian Banks, and $11 Billion in European Banks. Dads plant made a $143 million last yr. alone and yes they are union.
Sure... those assets can't be seized if they go bankrupt or they reneg on union/employee obligations.... Call me a cycnic if you will, but I've seen too much corporate greed and screwing the workers over the last decade. :mad:
If a group of Union employees is making $14/hr doing a job, and there are 1000's of local individuals QUALIFIED to do the same job for $12/hr, what is the fair wage?
Well, the employees wanting the job can apply like everyone else. They want the $14 hr. pay then they can get it through a selection process. The employer in this case a beef company, will use the 1000's of applications he received by illegal aliens, which already make-up a large portion of meat packing employees and destroyed the good wages once made in the plants. 20 yrs. ago people made a good income at beef plants and now they are making $4-6 bucks less than they did 20 years ago and that doesn't include the loss in benefits. This is sort of what is happening to the automobile industry with these temps.
If the wages/benefits leading to a strike are so unfair', why is there a fear that some (many) individuals might try to cross the picket lines and work anyway?
Uneducated and ignorant people. They are still under the illusion their company will take of them. :surprise: If the union votes and the majority says strike then it's your obligation to honor that vote, without crossing. you took a oath to be in the union and it's your responsibility to uphold that oath. The consequences will be the employer will see a weakness in the rank and file and will exploit it to the full est of his/hers greed.
Why is violence (or intimidation) necessary to keep the Union workers in line and the non-Union workers away?
That is something that's hard to explain to a non-union person. The closest reference I can think of is the military, where you eat, live, die, together. That's kinda what it's like to belong. Unity. I have that feeling with my co-workers, and we all have a sense of pride, and want to represent are company to the public with integrity.
The UAW, workers like my family try to do the same thing as I do. Be good representatives of our company and union. The UAW, is being loyal to Rick Wagoner, and obviously Ron Getterfinger, really believes in Rick Wagoner, and believes he can turn-around GM, with his help. I believe it will be done, and looking past the present to the future. I might be in the minority, but I have alot of confidence in Rick Wagoner, and I do see the compassion in the tough choices he's been faced with.
I can only hope GM, can repair it's place in this country and come out stronger and better than before. I hope to see the day in my life when GM, rules the automobile market once again and Ford, is at least the #2 automaker again.
I would also like to see Rick Wagoner, "strong-arm" Kerkorkian, out the door and merge with Ford, to become a superpower. Now that would be a dream of mine. They could then "Strong-Arm" cheaters like Toyota, for global domination.
Sure... those assets can't be seized if they go bankrupt or they reneg on union/employee obligations....
Wideglide, thanx for the post pal. You got to remember Delphi, only filed bankruptcy on its NA operations and while they have hidden cash coffers in the billions they are untouchable because of the flaws in out laws. They want you, I, tax-payers, GM, to pay for there greed. The UAW, lawyers found this money, but the media refused to report on it. A lil' "hush" money is my best guess and thus has been forgotten. :mad:
Call me a cycnic if you will, but I've seen too much corporate greed and screwing the workers over the last decade.
I'm glad I'm not the only one, I think it goes back about 2 decades ago. As Lou Dobbs, reported working wages, rights, for the working middle class blue-collars in this country has taken a back-seat since WWII. They haven't kept up with the times or cost of living. GM-UAW, along with a few other large and small corporations are the small exception. A cost of a college education is a home mortgage. crazy times isn't it ?
I just hope we can at least sustain, to keep large employers like GM, afloat so we can get to better times
Well knowing somebody is how most people I've ever knew get jobs. Even at the college educated levels anymore, my friends that apply for the good jobs with their degrees says it makes no different because you almost need to know somebody to get a interview. I have always thought that was the safest way for employers to hire, because the employees reputation is on the line. If they hire a bad one, that makes the employee that gave the reference look bad, and he/she can almost forget about promotions. They better know the person they are sponsoring.
That is true, but wouldn't you prefer to drive a Impala SS over a guised up Camry ?
Over a Camry, for sure... But a Altima with the 265hp V6 and the six speed MANUAL? Hmmm.... Or a few grand more, and get a rear-drive Infinity G35 with ~300hp and a 6 speed MANUAL, and a much, much, much nicer interior. Now we're talking!
When are the domestics going to realize that we aren't ALL "shiftless"?!? Even Honda now offers a 6 sped manual on the 4 door Accord with the 245hp V6. 0-60 UNDER 6 seconds.
I still do not see why we would do that except prices could be raised on trucks since the competition would be gone. Doubt if the government would let it happen since that would be like 40% of the market.
I can't see why the government could stop them. The oil company's all merged and pooled the market. BTW- I honestly don't think GM, would get that greedy especially since the Chinese, are fixing to invade us and attempt to knock both of our domestic dinosaurs out. :sick:
I'm glad I'm not the only one, I think it goes back about 2 decades ago. As Lou Dobbs, reported working wages, rights, for the working middle class blue-collars in this country has taken a back-seat since WWII. They haven't kept up with the times or cost of living.
I actually think it goes back to Ronald Reagan, and his union busting tactics. No, you're not the only one. My Dad and brother were UMWA, my other brother USWA, and I was AFSCME and Sprinkler Fitters Union at one time or another. The massive outsourcing of jobs has caused people to grasp for ANY job after they lost theirs to the Chinese or Malaysians, and employers sometimes take advantage of that fact. Go to Wal-Mart, and try to find anything not made in China, or Malaysia, or Honduras, etc... The Free Trade agreements were the worst thing that ever happened to US blue-collar workers (union or NOT). :mad:
I remember going back to the stock room to pick up something at Montgomery Wards (remember them?)about 20 years ago. Just about every product on the shelves was stamped Made In KOREA. This is nothing new.
"Well, the employees wanting the job can apply like everyone else. They want the $14 hr. pay then they can get it through a selection process."
You didn't answer the question.
Why isn't the 'fair' wage for that job $20/hr? $50/hr? Could the employees demand $100/hr and then justify it by saying "the employees wanting the job can apply like everyone else. The want the $100 hr. pay then they can get it through a selection process."
Again, what makes a 'fair' wage?
"The closest reference I can think of is the military, where you eat, live, die, together. That's kinda what it's like to belong. Unity."
Not everyone is in your "army". I specifically said "....and the non-Union workers away".
Why is it okay to resort to violence/intimidation when a company says "I have this job and it pays $12/hr" and a non-union individual says "great, I'll do that job for $12/hr", and then the Union heavy says "you'll look awfully funny trying to do that $14/hr job with no teeth." and then the non-union individual says "funny, I don't remember joining a Union....".
Violence is never okay. Some of it may be long-term resentment from the days when the companies would bring in thugs to bust a strike. My Dad got stitches in his head for standing on a UMWA picket line after an explosion killed 46 miners, and the company ordered the miners back to work without doing a damned thing about the conditions that caused the explosion.
And my grandfather was in the Flint Chevrolet UAW crackdown and as a kid I saw my dad go to work with a bat. Laws do protect workers today. I know there are still some bad places but GM is not one of them.
Yeah, and my 20+ year old Zenith console color television is still going strong! Well, a lot of high-end consumer electronics are still made here, but there's a small market for $25K stereo systems. There was a place in Willow Grove, PA called Soundex that sold this high-end stuff. My friend and I went in there to look and the snooty clerk looked like he was about to call the cops on us.
I think there is a brand of jeans called "Lucky Jeans" still made in the U.S. Shame that an American icon like Levi's is made elsewhere. It's like riding a Chinese-made Harley-Davidson or playing a Malaysian Fender guitar.
It would be better than sex to see all Wal-Mart workers go into every one of their stores with bats and beat their worthless managers senseless. Maybe that would wake up Sam's greedy heirs?
Yeah, and my 20+ year old Zenith console color television is still going strong! Well, a lot of high-end consumer electronics are still made here, but there's a small market for $25K stereo systems.
99% of the people don't know the best stereo components are made in the US! And you don't have to spend that much (Levinson & Krell). I have a B&K amp & preamp (Buffalo), VPI turntable (Jersey), and Vandersteen speakers (California). Unfortunately I can't afford a Magnum Dynalab tuner or high-end CD player, mine are Japanese, but I have a total of less than $4k in it. And the sound is unreal.
Thankfully, my Harleys are still made here, and probably always will be. Most of the parts that weren't US made have been ditched, and replaced with US made stuff (Keihin carb with S&S, etc.). It does concern me however, that H-D seems to be following the Japanese bike makers, and making them less rebuildable/more disposable. I'll probably never buy one made after 1999.
Wrangle jeans are better anyway, IMHO. I too have no need for Levis company these days. Seems a lot of people are quite upset with WalMart. If they are, why don't they shop elsewhere? Pretty simple. I take it more people like WalMart. I prefer to shop Target or Costco first, then the rest. Sometimes the rest still includes WalMart. For office supplies there is Staples, and electronics BestBuys. There are other places to shop if ya have a grudge against WalMart. I find the stores less impressive these days, and no longer shop there as often as I once did. But then again, WallyWorld was a cut above Kmart, at one time at least. It's not all that bad. -Loren
Keep in mind there is but one boss in any business. The boss is the customer. The customer will hire and fire. If the wages exceed the amount which can be included in the cost of an auto, then people shop another brand. If a product becomes less of a quality due to trying to compensate for cost imbalances, and people realize the product is sub-par to another product, your product will no longer sell. Works all the way down the line. If a company gets greedy and looks to make less than stellar product, while charging the same or more money, the boss will eventually catch on. The worker to the CEO all have but one boss. At one point of another, perhaps some people from top to bottom left the customer down.
As for a merger between GM and Ford, all I can say is no. There is no reason to form a new company which would likely be the greatest debt load in history, rivalled only by the US government. No, I see a smaller two, with possibly some spin offs of acquired car companies. Yeah, I know, a hard sell to get rid of say Jaguar. Anyway, If GM does SUVs, Cadillacs and Corvettes as a best of product, and Ford does the trucks, Mustangs, or whatever segments the best, then perhaps that is all they need do. Most of the product is just more FWD, appliance cars, which the whole World is overflowing with already. -Loren
Ah, an audiophile. Don't forget Dave Belles in Rochester? NY. Good stuff. I had Vendersteen speakers and met him at a CES show in Chicago. Big dude with a red beard, plaid shirt, Levis, and cowboy boots. No one would have guessed. I had Apogee planar speakers too, and really miss them. They're out of business now. We helped Dave Belles re-arrange his room too. I currently have hand wired Atma-Sphere OTL tube amps made by Ralph Karsten in St Paul MN. http://www.atma-sphere.com Mine are similar to the MK II @ $38,000/pr, and custom built. The only ones like that in the world. Top of the line goes for $98,400 if you want to upgrade. ;-) But, my daily system is a Harmon Kardon 30w/ch receiver on Spectrum 108 speakers (gone by the wayside), and you would be amazed at the sound quality. I built my first system and color TV from Heathkit - also gone. Sad. A bit off topic, but we needed a break.
Yep. I have a Honda VTX 1800 - kind of a Harley clone. I love it. Talk about BALLS. Great power. I got hooked on British twins, and could never go back. Have a Ducati 860GT too. This one loves curves.
Man, you're waaay out of my league! Most of my stuff could probably be considered vintage these days... I have an old Dynaco 7 tube preamp in the closet, and one of these days I'm going to build a real vintage system just for fun! Hopefully I can run across an old Marantz amp at a yard sale or something.... Sorry to hear Apogee is gone, they were some great speakers.
I love the old brit stuff, trying to help a friend get a '69 Bonneville on the road now. For years, I've been wanting a late 70's - early 80's BMW R90 or R100 for touring and twisties. Been close a couple times, but haven't got it yet.
Harleys already use many Japanese parts from mikuni/suzuki etc.
They currently use Mikuni carbs, although a good percentage now use fuel injection which I believe is US made. Older bikes like mine used Keihin carbs. About the only thing non-US that is left on mine may be the forks, if they were still using Showas in the mid-90's. I don't believe they use anything from Suzuki....
Dynaco, yea. Gone too. I have 2 pairs of Mark III's - one with mods, the other stock, plus a matching tuner and pre amps, plus Audire stuff. I don't unserstand women. My wife thinks I should sell things. But I am down to 4 cars, 2 garden tactors, 2 bikes and an old motorhome. Nothing brand new though. Although my primary vehicles are Japanese, I also have a 55 Chev with a 425 HP 396, and a 79 Olds Cutlas Supreme Brough V8 that I inherited from a cousin in CA. She bought it new. So, I still own GM.
Comments
Although if you want to go hog-wild with options, you can load up a Camry or Altima to where they MSRP around $30k these days. But to be fair, you can do that with an Impala too.
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
P.S. Meat packing was considered one of the most dangerous and hardest jobs on this planet.
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
I can't tell you how many times I vote against something on the proxys they send out to shareholders. Not one made a bit of difference because large shareholders votes override mine.
Rocky
C'mon, get your head out of the sand. That's the mentality that created this mess in the first place. International my a**. Straight from union headquarters would be my guess. BTW, the company was Hormel in Austin MN. Look it up for yourself.
Rocky
Yeah, I would prefer an Impala SS over a Camry, but heck, I remember a few years back, you could get the Impala LS to MSRP for $30K! If you got it fully loaded up, plus that option package that blacked out most of the rear taillights, which drew emphasis to the round portion and made it look a bit more like the Bel Airs of days gone by, it would MSRP for about that.
I think the Impala is one car that has actually become a better value over the years. At least today a $30K Impala gets you a V-8, and the '06+ model, IMO at least, has a better-finished interior.
Thankfully GM, isn't a bully under Rick Wagoner, and the UAW is doing lots of things to help Rick out including sending a strong message to Kerkorkian, whom has tried to "strong-arm" Rick, with these Renault-Nissan talks. Ron Getterfinger, told the board that basically we will only work with Rick, and if you want a friendly negotiation next contract that will be the only way it will be friendly.
Rocky
Rocky
Yes, it is QUITE different.
If a group of Union employees is making $14/hr doing a job, and there are 1000's of local individuals QUALIFIED to do the same job for $12/hr, what is the fair wage?
If the wages/benefits leading to a strike are so 'unfair', why is there a fear that some (many) individuals might try to cross the picket lines and work anyway? Why is violence (or intimidation) necessary to keep the Union workers in line and the non-Union workers away?
GM wanted to do a smaller-scale deal with Nissan or Renault – such as joint development of cars for underdeveloped countries or making a "world engine" that could have been used by all three companies – that did not involve an equity participation, Mr. Lutz said.
He said GM is open to such partnerships.
"There were some really good projects there that we all could have benefited from. Just the one that didn't make sense was them buying 20 percent of us and locking us up."
You're not alone, anyway... After witnessing the depreciation hit on my last two new cars (both were from US automakers, BTW), I will never buy a new car again! 25% in a year!?! Better to find a low-mileage two year old car, and let them take the hit. And other than cars and a house, I won't buy anything else unless I have the money to pay for it. Capital One (or any other crefit card) is NOT in MY wallet!
Sure... those assets can't be seized if they go bankrupt or they reneg on union/employee obligations.... Call me a cycnic if you will, but I've seen too much corporate greed and screwing the workers over the last decade. :mad:
Well, the employees wanting the job can apply like everyone else. They want the $14 hr. pay then they can get it through a selection process. The employer in this case a beef company, will use the 1000's of applications he received by illegal aliens, which already make-up a large portion of meat packing employees and destroyed the good wages once made in the plants. 20 yrs. ago people made a good income at beef plants and now they are making $4-6 bucks less than they did 20 years ago and that doesn't include the loss in benefits. This is sort of what is happening to the automobile industry with these temps.
If the wages/benefits leading to a strike are so unfair', why is there a fear that some (many) individuals might try to cross the picket lines and work anyway?
Uneducated and ignorant people. They are still under the illusion their company will take of them. :surprise: If the union votes and the majority says strike then it's your obligation to honor that vote, without crossing. you took a oath to be in the union and it's your responsibility to uphold that oath. The consequences will be the employer will see a weakness in the rank and file and will exploit it to the full est of his/hers greed.
Why is violence (or intimidation) necessary to keep the Union workers in line and the non-Union workers away?
That is something that's hard to explain to a non-union person. The closest reference I can think of is the military, where you eat, live, die, together. That's kinda what it's like to belong. Unity. I have that feeling with my co-workers, and we all have a sense of pride, and want to represent are company to the public with integrity.
The UAW, workers like my family try to do the same thing as I do. Be good representatives of our company and union. The UAW, is being loyal to Rick Wagoner, and obviously Ron Getterfinger, really believes in Rick Wagoner, and believes he can turn-around GM, with his help. I believe it will be done, and looking past the present to the future. I might be in the minority, but I have alot of confidence in Rick Wagoner, and I do see the compassion in the tough choices he's been faced with.
I can only hope GM, can repair it's place in this country and come out stronger and better than before. I hope to see the day in my life when GM, rules the automobile market once again and Ford, is at least the #2 automaker again.
I would also like to see Rick Wagoner, "strong-arm" Kerkorkian, out the door and merge with Ford, to become a superpower. Now that would be a dream of mine.
Rocky
The process being that if you know someone, you're in otherwise screw off.
Wideglide, thanx for the post pal. You got to remember Delphi, only filed bankruptcy on its NA operations and while they have hidden cash coffers in the billions they are untouchable because of the flaws in out laws. They want you, I, tax-payers, GM, to pay for there greed. The UAW, lawyers found this money, but the media refused to report on it. A lil' "hush" money is my best guess and thus has been forgotten. :mad:
Call me a cycnic if you will, but I've seen too much corporate greed and screwing the workers over the last decade.
I'm glad I'm not the only one, I think it goes back about 2 decades ago. As Lou Dobbs, reported working wages, rights, for the working middle class blue-collars in this country has taken a back-seat since WWII. They haven't kept up with the times or cost of living. GM-UAW, along with a few other large and small corporations are the small exception. A cost of a college education is a home mortgage. crazy times isn't it ?
I just hope we can at least sustain, to keep large employers like GM, afloat so we can get to better times
Rocky
Rocky
Rocky
Over a Camry, for sure... But a Altima with the 265hp V6 and the six speed MANUAL? Hmmm.... Or a few grand more, and get a rear-drive Infinity G35 with ~300hp and a 6 speed MANUAL, and a much, much, much nicer interior. Now we're talking!
When are the domestics going to realize that we aren't ALL "shiftless"?!? Even Honda now offers a 6 sped manual on the 4 door Accord with the 245hp V6. 0-60 UNDER 6 seconds.
Rocky
Rocky
I actually think it goes back to Ronald Reagan, and his union busting tactics. No, you're not the only one. My Dad and brother were UMWA, my other brother USWA, and I was AFSCME and Sprinkler Fitters Union at one time or another. The massive outsourcing of jobs has caused people to grasp for ANY job after they lost theirs to the Chinese or Malaysians, and employers sometimes take advantage of that fact. Go to Wal-Mart, and try to find anything not made in China, or Malaysia, or Honduras, etc...
You didn't answer the question.
Why isn't the 'fair' wage for that job $20/hr? $50/hr? Could the employees demand $100/hr and then justify it by saying "the employees wanting the job can apply like everyone else. The want the $100 hr. pay then they can get it through a selection process."
Again, what makes a 'fair' wage?
"The closest reference I can think of is the military, where you eat, live, die, together. That's kinda what it's like to belong. Unity."
Not everyone is in your "army". I specifically said "....and the non-Union workers away".
Why is it okay to resort to violence/intimidation when a company says "I have this job and it pays $12/hr" and a non-union individual says "great, I'll do that job for $12/hr", and then the Union heavy says "you'll look awfully funny trying to do that $14/hr job with no teeth." and then the non-union individual says "funny, I don't remember joining a Union....".
I think there is a brand of jeans called "Lucky Jeans" still made in the U.S. Shame that an American icon like Levi's is made elsewhere. It's like riding a Chinese-made Harley-Davidson or playing a Malaysian Fender guitar.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
99% of the people don't know the best stereo components are made in the US! And you don't have to spend that much (Levinson & Krell). I have a B&K amp & preamp (Buffalo), VPI turntable (Jersey), and Vandersteen speakers (California). Unfortunately I can't afford a Magnum Dynalab tuner or high-end CD player, mine are Japanese, but I have a total of less than $4k in it. And the sound is unreal.
Thankfully, my Harleys are still made here, and probably always will be. Most of the parts that weren't US made have been ditched, and replaced with US made stuff (Keihin carb with S&S, etc.). It does concern me however, that H-D seems to be following the Japanese bike makers, and making them less rebuildable/more disposable.
There are other places to shop if ya have a grudge against WalMart. I find the stores less impressive these days, and no longer shop there as often as I once did. But then again, WallyWorld was a cut above Kmart, at one time at least. It's not all that bad.
-Loren
As for a merger between GM and Ford, all I can say is no.
There is no reason to form a new company which would likely be the greatest debt load in history, rivalled only by the US government. No, I see a smaller two, with possibly some spin offs of acquired car companies. Yeah, I know, a hard sell to get rid of say Jaguar. Anyway, If GM does SUVs, Cadillacs and Corvettes as a best of product, and Ford does the trucks, Mustangs, or whatever segments the best, then perhaps that is all they need do. Most of the product is just more FWD, appliance cars, which the whole World is overflowing with already.
-Loren
My new Wrangler jean jacket was made in Bangladesh.
Seems a lot of people are quite upset with WalMart. If they are, why don't they shop elsewhere?
I do. I go to WalFart maybe twice or 3 times per year... usually for produce I can't get locally (pablano peppers, leeks, shallots, etc)
Yep. I have a Honda VTX 1800 - kind of a Harley clone. I love it. Talk about BALLS. Great power. I got hooked on British twins, and could never go back. Have a Ducati 860GT too. This one loves curves.
Harleys already use many Japanese parts from mikuni/suzuki etc.
They currently use Mikuni carbs, although a good percentage now use fuel injection which I believe is US made. Older bikes like mine used Keihin carbs. About the only thing non-US that is left on mine may be the forks, if they were still using Showas in the mid-90's. I don't believe they use anything from Suzuki....