Interim CEO Ed Whitacre announced today that he was going to continue permanently is his position as Chairman and CEO of General Motors, and that a search for a new leader was being called off.
“The board of directors asked if I would be willing to stay on at GM and help continue the company’s road back to success,” Whitacre said. “Having spent the past few months learning the business, meeting with our employees, customers and dealers, and working with the GM leadership team, I was both honored and pleased to accept this role. This is a great company with an even greater future, and I want to be part of it.”
Whitacre noted his motivation for staying was “not for a personal benefit for me, but more an act partly of “public service.”
“I think this company is good for America,” he said.
He also indicated he was optimistic about the company’s future, profitability, and ability to pay back government debt.
“We’ve made significant progress in the past couple of months, so much so that I can confirm with certainty that we will pay back in full the U.S. Treasury and Canadian and Ontario government loans by June,” Whitacre said. “This represents a significant milestone in our journey back to being a profitable and viable company.”
Whitacre was initially coaxed into taking the position of Chairman of the Board after bankruptcy re-organization of GM by the government. He assumed the CEO role after Fritz Henderson was ousted in December.
This entry was posted on Monday, January 25th, 2010 at 12:19 pm and is filed under Financial. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
+8
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:29 pm)Great news for the Voltec program.
+7
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:37 pm)So far, so good, so no point in changing horses midstream.
+11
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:38 pm)I caught part of the briefing this morning. I liked the part where he said, “I think GM is good for America”. I agreed 100% with that statement. I think the company needs stability now more than anything and his moving in to the permenant leadership role will help to steady the ship. Here’s to hoping he can handle the job.
-2
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:43 pm)Pay back billions of dollars by June? Really? How?
Jan 25th, 2010 (12:55 pm)Whitcare: “Having spent the past few months learning the business”
He is comical or has a great sense of humor. LOL
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:02 pm)I guess we can only hope he is indeed doing it as an act of charitable service for all of the reasons America needs its biggest auto maker to be successful, namely jobs. That would be a contrasted switch from the past CEOs that have been focused on quarterly profits and saving face for the board.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:04 pm)How old is he? I don’t think he is a longterm CEO.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:08 pm)“Whitacre noted his motivation for staying was “not for a personal benefit for me, but more an act partly of “public service.”
I nearly threw up when I read this. Please, give us a break Mr. Whitacre. Public service is planting trees, working in a clinic, volunteering for a soup kitchen, stuff like that. Running a big car company with a salary of millions of dollars per year, nice benefits, stock options and super duty golden parachute is not public service! You CEOs really do live in your own little fantasy world don’t you?
I guess power is addicting and it’s kind of fun to call the shots. If this doesn’t work out, maybe you can run Pakistan or something.
+6
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:18 pm)Read in between the lines.. “The board of directors asked if I would be willing to stay on at GM and help continue the company’s road back to success,” … and “not for a personal benefit for me, but more an act partly of “public service.” ”
Apparently the board could not find a qualified CEO willing to take the job.. Whitacre is not a young man anymore and his reputation was made at AT&T thus he has little to lose by taking the job. I think it was too soon to give up and the board will continue the search but discreetly.
Thank You Mr Whitacre.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:23 pm)Mr. Whitacre then continued: “…and I still can’t believe how well the Volt drove. I expected all electric cars to drive like golf carts. By the way, does anyone know the cost of our 40-mile long extension cord yet?”
Heh. Just joshin’ with ya, Ed. That golf cart comment from a few weeks ago still tells me Mr. Whitacre has much to learn about his job. But then, don’t we all?
-8
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:28 pm)Act of public service……
LMFAO! Seriously this guy just went from ok to full blown dueche in my book.
Secondly, i’m not exactly excited to have a board member of ExxonMobile running the only major car company with production plans for an electric vehicle.
+6
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:28 pm)You do realize that you just equated GM stock options with fabulous wealth, don’t you? I think even we loyal GM customers can get a chuckle out of that.
+13
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:31 pm)If Ed can guide GM into becoming a profitable, industry-leading automotive powerhouse that helps to wean America off of foreign oil by virtue of bringing the practical electric car to the masses, and provides millions of Americans with jobs in the process, then yes, he’ll have performed a great public service.
+12
Jan 25th, 2010 (1:53 pm)Evil Conservative Says:
January 25th, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Pay back billions of dollars by June? Really? How?
————————————————————————-
Maybe part of that equation will be to convince Americans to stop their obsessive and irrational lust for all things foreign, and stop commiting NATIONAL SUICIDE and start buying cars from their own fellow taxpayers.
There is no substantial difference in quality between foreign and domestic car brands, so there is no longer any excuse to send our money overseas. Keep the money HERE, put your fellow Americans to work, let them pay taxes and get us out of debt.
+7
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:07 pm)It’s always difficult to guess how someone will do as CEO and it rarely turns out as you’d guess. Past performance is never a very good indicator. A lot of what people think is great management is simply being at the right place at the right time. To the extent that it’s a skill set, companies are different and times change, so what worked before is probably not what will work again. The one thing I like about Whitacre so far is he doesn’t believe in a silver bullet. That’s a good sign.
Hopefully this will work out. In my mind design and engineering are strengths for GM, and to flourish GM has to figure out how to turn out models more quickly, how to up the quality (no more budget trumps everything), and how to market vehicles. The last one seems the simplest but is probably the most difficult. Let’s wish Whitacre success on all fronts.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:25 pm)I have a good feeling that Whitacre knows how to run a multi-national. There is no doubt in my mind that he can cut through the bs and get GM back on track.
I think it is a good sign that old GM can’t wait out the passing of the CEO baton now. Before, I had the feeling that there were a bunch of entrenched guys hanging back just waiting to bring back old GM when Whitacre was gone.
Guess what old GM, he ain’t going anywhere!
+7
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:26 pm)If he’s doing it without being paid for it, then, yes, I would consider it public service. GM needs a good CEO to survive after they’ve gone through their government loans. The US needs both a functional auto industry, and a viable electric car program. And, right now, GM is our best hope of getting either one.
-9
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:28 pm)Zipdrive #14,
Without getting into the emotions of this issue, it would be nice if people bought domestic cards, but the market data — consumer preference — doesn’t support the conclusion that all things are equal now. People don’t spend tens of thousands of dollars in vacuum. They compare products, and find the foreign products superior (in some cases, vastly so).
Let’s use the Prius as an example: If GM (or any other producer) were to make a 50+ mpg car that was equal in quality to a Toyota, with similar economics, that car would be selling like hotcakes.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:30 pm)Good news in my opinion. I like Mr. Whitacre, not sure why. He just seems down-to-earth in his leadership style. The fact that he has no background in the automotive industry may be a positive. Sometimes you just need a strong leader who knows when to wave the BS flag.
-2
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:37 pm)Syndicalism
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:38 pm)A great deal of success in any profession or industry is about being in the right place at the right time. Even when it comes to introducing new products. Microsoft came out with a tablet many years ago, and it bombed. But I that doesn’t mean that the Apple tablet won’t revolutionize mobile computing.
That doesn’t mean that some people aren’t more competent than others. Or better leaders. Or more able to capitalize on the opportunities they are presented. Or have a skill set more suited to to a certain task than someone else.
+13
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:44 pm)But is the consumer preference based on perception or reality? Most people still think Toyota has the best quality. But given the recent recall rate, that’s obviously not true anymore.
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:45 pm)Maybe the problem was the Government would not let “the Board” spend the money it would take to get top talent.
Isn’t “the board” just the union and the government?
-1
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:46 pm)Great News
I just hope he continues to slap those middle managers silly. They need to be held accountable, in other words if they don’t perform in short order (i.e. 3 months max) then kick their sorry butt to the curb !
Keep up the good work Big Ed. Much more dead wood needs to be cleared in the oversized company. Fat Fritz and Retarded Rick were just the start of this house cleaning !
+7
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:55 pm)zipdrive – you are a blatant and unapologetic economic nativist. I think I love you. Well, in a non-threatening platonic dude kinda way…
-20
Jan 25th, 2010 (2:57 pm)(click to show comment)
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:03 pm)“Permanent” oh yeah… for how long?
… and Bob Lutz retired, oh wait he came back
“we will pay back in full the U.S. Treasury and Canadian and Ontario government loans by June” oh yea… of what year? LOL
-23
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:03 pm)(click to show comment)
-4
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:09 pm)i read a post written by a son of a world II vet that basically said the reason his father and his father’s generation bought american cars is because they faught the Japanese and watched their friends die fighting the Japanese so when they came back after the war no way in he11 were they gonna buy Japanese cars, it had nothing to do with quality of product, again these were the words of a son of an american veteran not mine, but there is some truth to that, the son went on to say that as the WWII vets age and pass away their offspring “us” and our kids don’t have the same ties and feelings, so we with the help of the Internet comparison shop and buy what we think is the “best” product, bottom line is time’s have changed, but I don’t believe GM realizes it or worst won’t admit it, their loyal customers are simply dieing, sad but true
-5
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:13 pm)The best attribute I have seen with Chairman Whitacre is that he has no patience for all those Powerpoint Rangers that saturate the GM management. Those crazy powerpoint slideshows have doomed many a U.S. corporation and Ed quickly pushed them aside. Awesome move. The next manager that shows me a PPP (PowerPoint Presentation) WILL BE FIRED !
LOL
-12
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:21 pm)(click to show comment)
+13
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:28 pm)It wasn’t about the floor mats. It was about the gas pedal becoming stuck due because the mechanism wore out. It’s happened even when there is no floor mat.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100121/ap_on_bi_ge/us_toyota_recall
And it’s not like this is Toyota’s only recent quality issue. Look at the rust problem on the Tundra’s:
http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/safety-agency-is-looking-into-rust-issue-on-toyota-tundra/?scp=1&sq=toyota%20trucks%20rust&st=Search
-12
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:39 pm)(click to show comment)
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:40 pm)What?
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:47 pm)Just to prove your point… I don’t like butt-ugly Prii and I don’t like hotcakes. Ya couldn’t sell either one to me.
+18
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:47 pm)As much as Toyota fans would like to think that faulty floor mats is an isolated incident, let’s not forget:
Hundreds of thousands of Tundras and Tacomas with rusting frames and corroded/failing brake supports, currently under recall.
Toyota is expanding its sticking-throttle recall to some 2 million European vehicles, Japan’s big Yomiuri daily newspaper is reporting (in the news TODAY). This is a sticking throttle, and is not related to the floor mat / acceleration problem already affecting 4.2 million vehicles. So now Toyota gives you two exciting ways to crash into a brick wall at high rates of speed.
Bottom line is that Toyota engineers and line workers are human, and their superiority is overstated. They make a great product, just like several other car companies do.
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:48 pm)#14
What a concept!! +1
+9
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:49 pm)#15
Amen to that! +1
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:53 pm)#18
I agree with that. I have said many times that, if GM made a car that was equal to, or better than, the Prius, I would be driving one right now. So:
LJGTVWOTR!!
+6
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:53 pm)Please cite reference. CS-mode mpg has not yet been announced.
Way too much ‘academia’ on this thread. A real professor shouldn’t mind adding a footnote, LOL.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:56 pm)#25
Yeah, me too. +1
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (3:59 pm)I have to know…. do you know ANYONE who owns or owned a Mexican-made VW (most VWs sold in the US are Mexican-made)? Horrific reliability. I have two friends that had the misfortune of ownership. They were suckered in by the “Buy this and you will officially be a Euro Yuppie” ad campaigns.
And the European-made Audis and VWs are of extremely low mechanical reliability. We’re talking about MAJOR engine problems on brand new cars. American cars are hands-down better than many of their European counterparts in the same price range, and GM/Ford utterly thrashes VW/Audi. You can argue for Saab or Volvo, but you are defeating your own argument since those were GM and Ford products.
Finally, no car buyer bases their purchase decision “strictly on quality.” What a completely unfounded statement. Eurpean cars are often purchased for the status they convey, and cars in general are a very emotional/psychological purchase.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:03 pm)Here’s the CR rankings for brand perception (in a press release dated 06 Jan 2010):
http://pressroom.consumerreports.org/pressroom/2010/01/toyota-tops-while-chevrolet-ford-and-subaru-rise-in-crs-car-brand-perception-survey.html
Some quotes:
+11
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:07 pm)#36
The Los Angeles Times did an extensive article some weeks ago, when this sticking throttle thing first started to heat up, about Toyota’s well known policy of stonewalling and denying this sort of issue. Evidently, they have a long track record of refusing to acknowledge, and take responsibility for, quality problems, until forced to do so by either legal action or by the Feds. Maybe now this ugly underbelly to their carefully crafted and polished image of superior quality is beginning to finally see the light of day. +1
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:07 pm)@prof j
U are dilousional. Step away from your yuppie crowd for 2 sec put on a disguise and go to the ford dealer. Ask the nice salesman for a testdrive in a new ford fusion hybrid, use a false name if necessary, then come back to the forum and talk about those unquestioably superior vehicles you currently drink Kool-aid from
+6
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:10 pm)Wow, Doctor.
You really do bring
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:11 pm)Ed Whitacre seems to have the appropriate business acumen to do the job at GM. I hope he’s not blowing smoke about repaying the loans.
+4
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:16 pm)CR determines it’s product ratings through questionnaires filled out by it’s membership. To some extent, it is a measure of perception, and thus somewhat suspect; considering that perception is made as much by the past as the present. For GM to get equivalent ratings, it will have to far exceed actual Toyota quality; from it’s glory days as much as it’s less-glowing present. If we are right about increased GM quality, it may still take some years for perceptions (and CR ratings) to change.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:20 pm)So can anyone tell me, did the invincible Toyota win car or truck of the year? Or any awards for that matter this year?
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:22 pm)Thread hijack:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,583555,00.html
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:24 pm)It would seem to me that Mr. Whitacre has made enough money during his years at AT&T that he could be living in luxury anywhere in the world he chose, and never have to work another day in his life. If he chooses to step into the snakepit that must be GM at this time, there must be some sense of public service, altruism, joy in the challenge, or just good old fashioned masochism, involved.
It is a wonder to me that older people consistently seem to take on these challenges. I always remember Warren Christopher, in his mid seventies, being Secretary of State, and taking on the clearly exhausting shuttle diplomacy which finally resulted in the release of the hostages in Iran. Or Warren Buffet. Does anybody really think that he needs to work? Or Paul Volker, still in the game until this day. Or many Supreme Court Justices.
I have no idea how much he is being paid. I guess if we can applaud the work of Alan Mulally, we can deal with it. And BTW LauraM, I’m still no big fan of Mulally, but somebody on NPR mentioned the other day that he had gotten rid of Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover, and soon Volvo. He was reported to have told Ford managers that, if they wanted a luxury car, to make something out of Lincoln. So credit where credit is due. His stock went way up with me when I was reminded of these things.
So best of luck Mr. Whitacre. Gm is important to America, and it’s important to me. More power to you!
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:27 pm)#47
Awesome! LMAO +1
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:32 pm)#51 Never a hijack IMHO. Great link. Thanks. +1
I think that most of us have discussed the conclusions of the report in the past and would agree. Still, it’s great to see it all confirmed from such a credible source
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:37 pm)Mr Whitacre becoming CEO is consistent with DC being an initial selling location. Whatever else happens under his watch, gm’s outlook will stay very close to that of the feds. If things flow back and forth from one party to another, he will too. Or at least that is his track record.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:37 pm)The $6B + loans will be repaid with the $50B + that they have from the TARP. I don’t call that actually ‘repaying’ anything. It’s just moving chicklets around like the little square plastic games we had as kids.
What the chicklet move will do, however, is set the stage for an IPO which will allow the government to sell their stock at 5cents on the dollar.
But, nobody will even know about it. The taxpayers will just get the 50B + tax increase (minus the 5cents of course). The next PUTUS will blame it on the last one (even if the current one is re-elected).
I’m not a conspiracy theorist. I’m a Republican. Some would say that’s the same thing, but, there it is.
Jan 25th, 2010 (4:38 pm)Jackson at # 47… that post should be entered into the hall of fame!
well done sir.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:08 pm)A “real” prof wouldn’t be caught using Dr. in their handle (lol).
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:13 pm)Ed also sits on Exxon board. This makes people wonder if GM really wants to move away from oil. Action speaks louder than words.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:34 pm)As you mention the rub is the match between the skill set and the task. The success as a CEO at one company at one time is likely randomly associated with success as a CEO at another company at another time. There are simply too many variables. Steve Jobs has had a ton of success but he bombed at NeXT. In this regard, Jobs is actually an exception because the vast majority of successful CEOs are never able to repeat a first success.
Success for technical professionals is more predictable because the variables are fewer.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:44 pm)I’m not a fan of Mulally’s after the degree of outsourcing he did with the Dreamliner at Boeing. At least not overall. You’d think given the amount of business Boeing gets from the government, they would keep a lid on the outsourcing of really crucial technologies. Apparently not. But it’s not like the American government cares about American jobs anyway. So why bother when they could cozy up to the Japanese govenment who does care about those sort of things? I apologize if that sounds a little harsh, but this project I’m working on right now is making me feel very bitter and depressed.
However, I think Mulally’s doing an amazing job at Ford. And I’m happy about that because because I believe the US needs two viable auto companies. We need Ford to succeed just as much as we need GM to succeed. At least, IMHO. He’s a great manager. And I wish him all the success in the world in reviving an important American company.
And, hopefully, the prospect of a future bailout will keep him from outsourcing any more of Ford’s engineering. After all, in a bankruptcy, which could still happen, their US and Canadian assets are probably the only ones the new Ford would be able to hold on to….
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:51 pm)Far be it from me to agree with you, but I do.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:51 pm)If I loan a friend $10, and she gives it back to me, she repaid the loan. It doesn’t matter if it was my money to begin with. She no longer has access to it, and I do. If GM returns some of the money the taxpayer loaned them, they no longer owe the taxpayer as much money. And they’ve repaid part of the loan. Regardless of the source of the money.
The point is that Whitacre is making a statement, that GM no longer needs access as much government funds. Personally, I think that’s very premature. And I hope he knows what he’s doing. But that doesn’t mean the money isn’t real. It’s going to be a lot harder to get a loan from the taxpayer in the future. He has to know that.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (5:56 pm)Luv ya too, Jim!
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:05 pm)Loboc, you republicans are all alike. lol
I’m one too, but my concern is he is a board member of ExxonMobile. The Volt and ExxonMobile are a conflict of interest in my book. Ya sure, ExxonMobile is supposedly working on other forms of energy. How much of their money are they spending on that? .000000001 percent? Just enough to advertise that they are?
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:07 pm)I completely agree with you on this. Just look at Jerry Yang and his failure on returning to yahoo. And Micheal Dell has been underwhelming to say the least on his return to Dell.
GM doesn’t need a visionary. They’re already improving their product line-up. And hopefully that will continue with each generation being better than the last. And they have the Volt, which has the potential to revolutionize the industry in five to ten years. At least, IMHO. What they need is someone who can shake up their corporate culture, and manage things effectively. Kind of like what Mulally did with Ford. I really hope Whiteacre’s that person.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:09 pm)NGMCO will go public this year. And as I see it. The Volt will be the major factor in the movement of GM stock. The Cruze is replacing the Cobalt. And a smaller car will be produced to compete with the Versa and Smart. The new GM truck line is doing well, but so are Ford trucks. The Camaro will continue to sell well. But the initial high-demand period is waning.
NGMCO stock should maintain it’s value or rise slightly as the release of the Volt gets closer. GM must remain consistent with public expectation regarding the Volt. No last minute curve balls.
For GM stock to rise. Other electric vehicles must be placed in the production line. The reason being that Ford and others will be matching the Volt hype with their own EV.
And lastly, GM must be honest with news and time lines. The last three years under Wagoner were at best bad drama.
=D~
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:12 pm)There’s one similarity, at least, between GM and ExxonMobile.
They both have an infamous past to live down.
Some of Mr. Whitacre’s experience may be very relevant indeed.
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:28 pm)There is one thing missing in this argument. For those of you not old enough to know, Japanese products were junk in the 50s, 60s, and early part of the 70s. The japanese specialized in Tin toys that were sold cheaply in the US. A Japanese car from that era was referred to as a Nagasaki nut bucket by many. They rusted out, were small and featureless, and were not dependable. Add to that the very expensive parts and you can see why American cars were the obvious choice in those days.
A similar thing may happen with China. Chinese things were considered junk 10-15 years ago. Things are changing now and they may are starting to produce world class products. Their cars could easily rival Toyota and GM in the next decade.
Something to think about, if the communist chinese are repressing their people and getting ready to take Taiwan and threatening to sink our carriers if we interfere, would it be smart to buy a Chinese car even if the quality was there and the price was less than the others? Are quality and price all that matter?
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:37 pm)What makes you think we consumers will have a choice in the matter?
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:39 pm)People are discussing the merits of buying American and some seem to be arguing that price and quality are the only issues. Someone recently claimed that it would be stupid to buy American for the sake of not buying an import. I am trying to throw out some things to think about.
And yes, at least in the auto market right now, you do have a choice.
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:50 pm)You know, you guys are missing a BIG part of the picture. A major reason that quality was an issue at all was the high cost of American UAW wages. If wages are 2 or 3 times what they are elsewhere you are darn right that quality will suffer. It HAS to in order to get costs low enough to compete. Fixed costs are now lower than they have been in years. Competitveness is also better.
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:51 pm)Sorry, but when I said “you guys” there seem to be a particularly large contingent of trolls today and that is who I was addressing.
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:54 pm)At this point, given the level of outsourcing, it’s a toss up. Even with the auto companies, they’re competing with each other for import licenses, and the right to operate in the Chinese market because that will give their stock the all important growth multiple. In exchange, they’re falling all over themselves to promise to export auto parts from China. And to transfer technology into China. As a result, Ford and GM both use Chinese components. And they’re building R&D centers there. And there’s nothing we consumers can do to stop it. Only the US government might be able to that. And they don’t want to “pick winners and losers.” Even if it’s the United States versus China. Or any other country for that matter. And, at this point, it might be too late even if the US government does decide to get involved.
I still want to support the US auto industry. But at this point, I feel like I’m fighting a losing battle. If they won’t fight to maintain their own long term competitive advantage, what can I do?
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:54 pm)I really like the idea of Ed filling the role of CEO.
He’s a guy with just downright plain common sense.
Consider this:
Exxon/Mobil can sell all the gasoline they can manufacture. No conflict there. Just as reserves of the “easy to get to” crude begin to diminish, (and extraction and overhead make the gasoline industry less and less profitable each year), then, keep in mind that Exxon/Mobil has lots and lots of natural gas reserves, which, if directed to displace coal fired electrical generation, then, our Volts would be recharged with that much of a better energy mix.
Leave coal to do its excellent job of holding up the topsoil.
(A joke from one of my best energy industry friends).
This tends to displace and ameliorate any concerns with obsolete “old hat” percieved conflicts of oil energy interest versus EV’s, which, clearly, need to be left in the past from now on. I do believe Exxon/Mobil sincerely wants what’s best for America.
Give this new exciting situation a fair chance to mature, and, I think that you will all see in the very near future that a new charitable open-mindedness (as the situation has changed) toward Exxon/Mobil is well placed, and, will ideed pay off as other American companies follow example, and also reassert their directions to looking after American transportation interests and for more new American jobs. All this, in working to keep more of our money here in America.
Ed will help us do this, and, I think Exxon/Mobil has this practical intent for lowered carbon energy (to help us displace coal) in mind as well.
Thanks for staying on, Mr. Whitacre.
Jan 25th, 2010 (6:59 pm)I hear you. At some point the battle is lost. 20+ years ago I insisted on buying only US electronics Then I went to at least buy “assembled in US” electronics. Things began to get harder and harder. Now, I have more or less given up looking in this industry. I recently replace all of my US assembled TVs with Samsungs…..
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:01 pm)I feel bad for Lyle. If anybody can make a difference, however, it will be Lyle.
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:05 pm)SMILE LauraM! Good things are coming.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:13 pm)Man, I sure hope that when GM does their IPO that China does not buy them up!
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:13 pm)The thing in the article that was bitter sweet was the comment that demand would outstrip supply until at least 2015.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:13 pm)Thats right. We have the American made Volt coming to market this year as a world class E-REV concept that brings the best of an EV with the range of a standard ICE. Add to that the cool driver interface and smart phone communications and we have a real US winner on our hands.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:18 pm)That’s what I meant! (g)
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:25 pm)I’m happy he’s taking the job but I must admit I’m a bit on guard when it comes to him being tied to Exxon.
I won’t be surprised if suddenly the Volt “doesn’t make financial sense” for GM and it’s numbers top out at 10,000 a year. Quite frankly the numbers DON’T make sense right now but Bob Lutz had a vision, and got this car this far before he lost the wheel @ GM.
I know the electrification of the automobile is coming, I just hope certain forces don’t slow it down to a crawl, say 2030
-1 me if you like, but just note that I’m not one of those conspiracy people. I just don’t like the optics. Kinda feels the same as if my doctor was the beneficiary on my Will…
+7
Jan 25th, 2010 (7:39 pm)Ah, this Ed guy. Did he not call Lyle and talk about the Volt. That is worth a couple of points in my book.
Good Luck Ed…
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:13 pm)8000 units in 2010 ~ SOLD!
50,000 units in 2011 ~ SOLD!
Oh where Oh where can my Volt be?
=D~
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:15 pm)Someone made a comment some time ago about the Prius blocking traffic because it can’t keep up on the highway. Since Cash For Clunkers , I’ve noticed more Prius vehicles on the road and made it a point to see who was driving them; and they were traveling at less than the speed limit and WERE blocking traffic. Instead of driving in the right lain where they should have been, they took up space in the center lain. And guess what? They weren’t old people driving them.
The Prius, IMHO, is not a quality vehicle if it can’t travel at highway speed. It is a hazard to other drivers. I may have begun the green trend in vehicles but it has a lot of short comings. Give me the Volt with its max speed of 100 mph any day!
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:22 pm)#73
Alas, it is hard to disagree. +1 Have you by any chance read any of the books by Chalmers Johnson, “Blowback”, “The Sorrows of Empire” and “Nemesis”, which analyze this phenomenon at length? They also relate directly to your insightful comment the other day about our military involvements around the world. Professor Johnson says that it may indeed be too late for the United States. I cling to the hope that he is too pessimistic, or saying it for effect to try to blast us out of our complacency. But some days it’s hard to keep the faith.
As with nuclearboy, we just bought a Samsung TV, which really kills me. But when it comes to cars, no way. We will buy a Chevy with the highest possible US content. We are also trying our best to resist buying imported gizmos that we don’t need. We are keeping our old US made stuff, including furniture, and not replacing it with imports wherever possible. When the whole house of cards finally collapses, I want to be able to at least say that I was as little of the problem and as much of the solution as I could be.
+3
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:29 pm)#85
Well I’m no Toyota fan, as you probably know, and I’m not going to buy a Prius in this life or the next. But I have been passed on the Interstate many times by Priuses going 80+ mph. I don’t think that we help our cause by overstating the case. In all fairness, it’s not the car, it’s the driver.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:29 pm)Keep up the faith. I am with you on this front.
I want to be on your list as being as little of the problem too. I just bought a new entertainment center for my Samsung. I bought the made in USA one. The delivery guy thought I was crazy as he informed me the ones from Vietnam are made much better.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:31 pm)And then there are those Prius owners who find their night lights go out an dark winding road out in the country, a very scary and dangerous experience; and Toyota only tells them to replace the headlight lamps. A very costly repair that on occasions happened again after the lamps were replaced. You can be sure that those people will never buy another Prius!
And then there are those instances where the Prius engine just stops dead while traveling at high speed on a busy highway.
This tells me that Toyota has a major design problem with the Hybrid Synergy Drive. It is a very complex electro-mechanical drive that is prone to problems.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:34 pm)syn⋅di⋅cal⋅ism [sin-di-kuh-liz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun
1. a form or development of trade unionism, originating in France, that aims at the possession of the means of production and distribution, and ultimately at the control of society, by federated bodies of industrial workers, and that seeks to realize its purposes through general strikes, terrorism, sabotage, etc.
2. an economic system in which workers own and manage industry.
Don’t understand where you are going with this. Doesn’t seem to apply here at all.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:34 pm)Tesla Model S w/ 240 miles range
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:35 pm)Ditto!
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:38 pm)I am always ready to find problems with Toyota but in this case, I think the Prius is actually pretty impressive. I would not buy one unless GM and Ford go under but thats not to say they are not very impressive. I related this story a few months ago about traveling through Western MD in the mountains. These hills used to make my Ford escort wagon slow down dramatically. I was powering along in the minivan full of family and camping gear going up a long stretch of mountain on Rt 70. I found a Prius next to me pulling the hill at 70 mph. I had the minivan working at that point. I noticed 4 people in the car and it was not slowing down. My opinion of the prius went up 100% at that point.
I think when you find the Prius farting around going less than the speed limit, what you really have is a driver watching the fuel mileage rating and trying to maximize it. Basically, they are trying to hypermile a little. The prius drivers are probably more prone to this than the usual suspects on the road.
IMO, the prius is OK, it is the drivers who are slow.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:39 pm)“So” must mean that you would be driving a current model GM vehicle now except that you are waiting for the Volt. That sounds like a sound decision.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:41 pm)We are on the same wavelength today. My post past yours. I just said the same thing (in more words). You can tell I work for the Govt.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:47 pm)That’s an aweful lot of hipermilers; every one I saw was traveling at less than the speed limit and those I was behind on the entrance ramp were not accellerating very fast. Maybe I should just go and test drive one for myself and see if my perception is correct or not. Then again maybe that they just consider themselves extra-special.
Happy trails to you ’til we meet again.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:49 pm)I agree with your point but unless my memory is failing me, Jobs is not a good example. I think if you look close he’s been successful at all the companies: Apple, NEXT, PIXAR, and Apple again. I believe he started NEXT and sold it for a profit, then concentrated on Pixar. I think NEXT tanked after he sold it. Pixar has done OK too. Regardless, I think his leadership experiences have matched his skill set pretty well but if you placed him at Walmart or Home Depot he’ld probably fail miserably.
Jan 25th, 2010 (8:56 pm)After a number of GM vehicles we bought a Prius, for the low fuel usage. I would have rather bought GM, however I wanted to get 50mpg. Please remember that ED! As far as I am concerned neither is superior and they have their own advantages. I will not reduce myself to bashing either.
As an anecdote, a friend of mine from china was surprised to find we wear cloths made in China, she says at home they all wear clothes made in the USA. She was genuinely surprised.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:49 pm)I confess – I don’t remember seeing any clothing made in China in the stores. They are made in all sorts of places – but not China.
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:57 pm)I wish I could believe that. I’ve been reading up on off-shoring, and the extent–it’s horrifying. I had no idea how far things have gone. Pfizer is moving their R&D to India and China. Pfizer! Given how many billion the NIH spends every year–if we can’t hold onto biotech R&D in the private sector, what can we hold on to? It’s useless. And then there’s IBM. And Intel. And I just spoke to a guy in rocket science, and they’re buying Russian engines for the commercial sector. Nothing is safe anymore. Nothing.
But thank you for trying to cheer me up. I’m seriously depressed at the moment. I’ll get over it though. I usually do.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (9:59 pm)The economics wont be there for many years, until the cost of batteries come down.. but the Volt will get an infinite mileage for many many people.. definitely beating the 50mpg that the Prius gets.
-3
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:02 pm)A new leader emerges for GM and Prius gets attacked, the very vehicle pushing battery-pack use hardest into the mainstream.
Priorities here really need to be evaluated.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:03 pm)Yeah. Give it a few years, and the US government will cash out, and GM will move the production and future R&D to China. They already have a larger auto market than we do. Of course, GM only gets to keep half of the profits. But it’s a growth story!
And eventually, a Chinese or Indian firm will reverse engineer the technology, and possibly even improve it. And they’ll put GM out of business. You know, like what happened with the Japanese and the electronics industry. But in the meantime GM’s stock will go up for a few years before the Chinese firm has a chance to take over.
Sorry. I’m in a really bad mood right now.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:03 pm)This is like “my daddy can beat yours”. Without real numbers – you could use anecdotes prove anything.
Searching on car quality – this is what I find. In first 90 days – Toyota models got the most number of awards – Mini was the worst.
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/22/best-quality-cars-lifestyle-vehicles-quality-rankings.html
I think one of the best ways to figure out long term quality would be to look at 3rd party extended warranty numbers. They should be basing their quotes on real numbers …
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:05 pm)Act of public service? Really now….
An oil executive, brought out of retirement, with no experience in the automotive industry, has now been named permanent Chairman and CEO of General Motors.
Oh this is a good one.
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:11 pm)Rx: Do something nice for someone else. It always makes me feel better (and it’s something you DO have control of). In a pinch, give blood! I’m one pint short of giving my 8th gallon.
Spring is coming.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:19 pm)I don’t know enough about Mr. Whitacre to criticize… I’m just hoping our dealership gets a phone call with a commitment of at least 20 units this year, and 20 units per month minimum in 2011.
That would make you guys happy.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:19 pm)Another great report from a semi-sceptic on the volt. See:
http://energyoutlook.blogspot.com/
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:20 pm)john,
Speaking of priorities – why would you focus on the small handful of Prius comments and ignore the other 98%?
I’ll say it again, the market has more than enough room for both the Prius and the Volt to be spectacularly successful. Why is that so distasteful to you?
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:32 pm)Thanks for the link. Good review and a few hints at good things to come.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
-6
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:36 pm)Repeating the same message I did about co-existing, yet making it sound like I didn’t.
Interesting spin.
Why not just state the priorities instead?
-5
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:41 pm)I’m looking for GOALS to be declared.
What is hoped to be achieved? When? Quantity? Price? Who? Where? Why?
Tell me about Volt, not the competition.
Priorities…
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:42 pm)I don’t think it’s too late. If our government was willing to do what’s necessary. But they’re not. For one thing, we could stop the Indian outsourcing companies cold if we denied them Hb1 and L1 visas. I’m not saying end the Hb1 program. We need to be able to hire skilled workers from other countries. (Although I would replace it with a green card program if possible.) But I would limit it to American companies where at least 50% of the workforce force is comprised of either American citizens or green card holders.
http://pcworld.about.com/od/softwareservices/H-1B-Visa-Cutbacks-May-Be-on-t.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/12/business/worldbusiness/12iht-visa.4.5257621.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=visa%20outsourcing&st=cse
Apple and Intel and IBM still derive a lot more revenue and profits from the US market than they do from the Chinese and Indian markets. Boeing gets the bulk of its revenue from defense projects. The drug companies get 70% of their profits from the US market. And we have a trade deficit in pharmaceuticals! If the US government put its collective foot down, they’d have to listen. But we’re not, and they don’t.
I really hoped that the financial crisis would wake the US up. Both the government, and the population. We need to start saving money instead of loading up the credit cards. But, from what I’ve seen, people aren’t scared yet. At least not enough to actually start saving. They still don’t see it. They think the economy can bounce back in time to bail us out. But if we don’t fix this, any recovery is temporary, and yet another bubble that will make things worse in the long run. At least IMHO.
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:44 pm)I’m sure there are a half dozen people who remember that I was the one all along talking about peaceful coexistence. If you’d like to pretend otherwise that’s ok too.
My priority? World peace would be nice, but I’d settle for a successful launch of the Volt. What’s yours?
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:45 pm)Plus if there is any substance to the idea we will have peaking oil production in a few years, and I personally think that is likely, then Whitacre would really have a good understanding of it’s potential impact. This is one reason I do not doubt his commitment to electrification.
The companies that have a leg up in these technologies will lead the industry in the future.
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:52 pm)I know many find government intervention distasteful but if we want to ensure a good manufacturing sector in this country we need to revamp and trade structures to put us on a level playing field with the rest of the world.
Tarrifs are not always a bad thing. Call it protectionist if you must, but the rest of the world does it, why can’t we.
If we don’t do something it’s just a race to the bottom for wages in this country. It started out just in manufacturing, but now with outsourcing in the white collar sector no one is safe.
-4
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:53 pm)Getting details. What does successful launch mean?
Remember, I’ve seen many launches over the last decade.
Without having any goals, how do you measure the outcome?
Jan 25th, 2010 (10:55 pm)I can’t give blood. I spent too much time in England in 1995. (Which is kind of disturbing when you think about it.) But it’s a good idea.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:00 pm)That’s why we as a people need to organize and force the government to do it. We need to hold our elected officials accountable regardless of which side of the isle they are on. We also need to hold the media accountable, if we had reporters that focused on actually issues rather than personality bullshit we might be able to better focus our elected leaders attentions to things that matter.
+5
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:01 pm)Geez, john, who died and left you King of Questions? Why is it for any of us to answer your questions? You read the same info we do. If it doesn’t meet your needs, I guess that you’ll need to work on your patience.
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:07 pm)I take road trips every couple of months. 240 miles range isn’t enough. Not unless it’s real world with quick charging stations readily available. Or battery swapping stations. And, honestly, I’m kind of nervous buying a car from a start-up.
Also, trust, me if Tesla gets big enough, they’ll do the exact same technology transfer thing that GM and Ford are currently doing. The only thing that can stop it is the US government.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:12 pm)There are always random acts of kindness available….
Be well,
Tagamet
Let’s Just Get The ***VOLTS’*** Wheels On The Road!!**********NPNS
+2
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:23 pm)We have a $250 billion dollar trade deficit per year with China. Or at least we did before the financial crisis. And it was growing. It went down to all of $200 billion with the financial crisis. And it’s going right back up.
That trade deficit resulted in a them owning $800 billion dollars worth of our debt. And the goods we’re buying from them are going up the value-added chain. We now have a trade deficit with them in higher technology products. That does not bode well for the future of innovation in this country. Made in China clothing is the least of our problems at this point, IMHO.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:29 pm)I see it all the time. Although they are apparently moving some clothing production to lower wage countries. I do see some clothes that are still made in the US, but it’s rare. And I don’t like American Apparel. I appreciate that they make their clothes here, and I’d love to support them, but style-wise their clothes don’t suit anyone over the age of 14, IMHO. I do see some clothes from France and Italy, but they’re really really expensive.
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:31 pm)About 3 years ago I was in China for a while installing some equipment. These were American designed & built with American components pieces of equipment. The ONLY reason we got this order, is because the customer had tried to reverse engineer the equipment themselves and failed, They were forced to buy from us. Within this corporation, the Americans were leary of putting this technology into their Chinese plant as it would compete with their other plants in the world. Kind of crazy, worried about competition w/the Chinese within your own organization.
(sorry, that wasn’t very uplifting)
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:33 pm)Did you see the documentary on the American Apparel store that tried to open in China?
+1
Jan 25th, 2010 (11:41 pm)I think what we really have left is our intellectual property, our education system, and our culture. (not counting national resources of course)
Intellectual property can be stolen (and is) easily. So our two remaining exports are our colleges, and our culture.
Until everyone plays fair (economically), and slave labor isn’t used in other countries, jobs will continue to shift overseas, until their standard of living surpasses ours. At that point it will be cheaper to build locally again.
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:11 am)We should make them play fare, it’s within out power to do so if we collectively choose to do so.
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:20 am)I checked out the book on Amazon, and since I believe in reading something before I deny it, I’ll read it. But upfront? I’m very very skeptical. It’s corporations looking for profits, and the growth of finance as a percentage of the American economy that’s destroying us. Not the military industrial complex. DOD research spending is the closest thing we have to an industrial policy. And it’s created numerous spin off industries. Commercial aviation. Computers. The Internet. Optoelectronics, Etc. It’s not the problem. It’s the unbalanced trade agreements that we signed to win over our allies that’s the problem. Offshoring is the problem.
Obviously, we’d be better off as a country if we focused more of our DOD spending on something else. Like a direct industrial policy. But since we can’t do that for various reasons, eliminating programs like Darpa is the last thing we should do. Absolutely, the sooner we withdraw our troops from Afghanistan and Iraq, the better off we’ll be. And I’m all for shutting down lots of oversea bases. But I’d be very careful with the government procurement contracts.
Basically, we were dominant economically as well as politically for a really long time. And so we forgot that we needed to compete. And we allowed a small section of the population to get an ever increasing percentage of our GDP growth. But its the outsourcing trend where our own companies compete to transfer our technology and jobs that’s really going to bleed this country dry. At least IMHO.
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:26 am)No. What happened? Did it flop? I would think that they’re one brand that could do reasonably well. Upscale clothes…
+1
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:39 am)Our colleges are expanding overseas. So much for that competitive advantage. Unless, of course, we stop them.
There are too many people in China and India to rely on standard of living equivalence. Even if they continue at 10% growth, which I doubt is possible, they have more than 50 years before their gdp per capita approaches ours.
If they “cheat,” we need to “cheat” too. We shouldn’t put up with perpetual trade deficits and job losses. If we continue to do so, we’re going to be the “developing country” with the associated standard of living. And that’s a huge come down. Their market, their rules. Our market, our rules. And the American market is still very important. The corporations will make concessions to preserve their access if they have to. We just have to charge access to our market. And if that makes consumption more expensive, so much the better.
-2
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:43 am)Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
Jan 26th, 2010 (1:19 am)They basically showed all the Chinese government red-tap that AA had to go through, and endless permits, etc. Essentially China didn’t want anything to do w/an American clothing store importing products into their country. However, eventually they were able to open the store. I dont think they showed this part (trying to remember), but from my experience in China, you have to grease some palms. The police are very corrupt, so I can only imagine it gets worse the higher you go.
This same documentary also showed a McDonalds opening up in China where people didnt know what a drive thru was. They would drive to the restaurant, park their car, then walk up to the window. .
+2
Jan 26th, 2010 (3:41 am)“GM good for America” – totally agree
+3
Jan 26th, 2010 (5:51 am)The receding din of the devout Prius faithful. What a joy that sound is. Replacing it is the sweeter sound of the broader advancement of the electrification of the automobile. That the Prius may soon only be one note in the symphony should not be so hard on the soul, unless one solely admires the Prius while observing the Insight, the Leaf, and the Volt syphon it’s market from 3 sides. Fear not, the Prius with a plug can grab another note or two. Electrification is coming and cannot be blogged away.
Jan 26th, 2010 (6:48 am)I have never driven one myself. I am just relaying an experience. I had always heard and assumed the cars were slow too.
-2
Jan 26th, 2010 (8:15 am)Believing that Prius is an obstacle clearly indicates the current market is not understood.
Pretending that the latest announcements to further improve non-hybrids is not any type of threat is evidence of not having learned from history.
-1
Jan 26th, 2010 (8:59 am)If Mr. Whitacre can come up with $70 billion dollars by June, he should be elected Chairman of the Universe, not General Motors.
Jan 26th, 2010 (11:19 am)#94
Right. Although I dunno about “current”, LOL. Our family vehicles are a 1995 Impala SS and a 2000 S-10. The Impala is doing about 5K miles/year now. It runs just fine, and I’m not about to get rid of it unless and until the above happens.
Jan 26th, 2010 (11:24 am)#98
I wonder where they find them? I’d like to buy some myself. Maybe they export them all to China where people appreciate our stuff, LOL.
+1
Jan 26th, 2010 (11:41 am)#129
That’s exactly what he’s saying.
“Blowback” was published in 2000, and predicted a major “blowback event” on U.S. soil as a result of our overseas basing and foreign policies. When 9-11 happened, Prof. Johnson became the darling of the talk show circuit for several news cycles, and the book became a huge bestseller.
In “The Sorrows of Empire”, he famously said that we have “hollowed out our manufacturing base as a quid-pro-quo for other countries allowing our imperial overseas bases on their soil.” BTW, he was a professor at UC Berkely for many years, specializing on U.S. – Japan relations.
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:41 pm)American Apparel clothing is all made in the USA. It’s part of their “against the mainstream” image. Unfortunately, it’s very difficult for an adult to find anything they can actually wear there. I’ve heard New Balance still makes some sneakers in the US, but I haven’t had any luck finding any.
Oakley also still makes stuff in the USA. In California actually. Primarily sunglasses, but they also sell some clothing. (Although I heard the shoes aren’t made in the US anymore. It’s a really good brand. It used to be an American company, but they were recently bought by an Italian company. But they still make it in the US. And, given the Euro, I doubt they’ll move manufacturing to Europe anytime soon. China maybe. But that hasn’t happened yet.
You can find other clothes that are made in the US though. There are some smaller brands that haven’t moved production yet. And there are some higher end brands that like to keep their manufacturing close to them. You just have to look. A lot. And you have to keep checking because companies are continuing to move production. If all else fails. you can buy clothes, and even shoes, at craft shows. The clothing there used to be too different for me, but they’ve started making more regular things. (I’m pretty conservative.)
+1
Jan 26th, 2010 (12:55 pm)I’ll read the book. But, from what I understand, it wasn’t a quid pro quo. It was the US building up other countries because we didn’t want them to become communist. And because we had this blind faith that we were so strong economically that the trade agreements would help us economically even if they were unbalanced. After all, we did have a trade surplus until the 70s. Our trade deficit was a tiny fraction of our GDP. It still is a relatively small percentage if you look at the numbers. And it wasn’t until relatively recently that we began exporting white collar jobs.
Jan 26th, 2010 (2:06 pm)#142
Alas, I am wearing my New Balance shoes as we speak, and they were made in China. Pretty top line walking shoes too. They do work well though.
I just took off my Oakley jacket and read the label. Made in Canada, which beat the s**t out of China, anyway. My glasses don’t say where they were made, but I’m hoping it really was CA. My older son used to work for Oakley, so we got the “friendly” price, or I probably would have been too cheap to buy the stuff, LOL. I have a few more Oakley things at home. I’ll check the labels and give you an update.
I had not heard of American Apparel. I will check it out for sure. Thanks for the tips.
-1
Jan 26th, 2010 (2:30 pm)Are you blurring the lines between man and machine? I belive you are being an obstacle. Constructive criticism is one thing but you are often on a different level.
-3
Jan 26th, 2010 (5:51 pm)I’m the one asking questions, which is constructive.
Others have been bashing, which provides no benefit.
And after providing 10 years hybrid support, why wouldn’t there be another level? Recognizing patterns comes easy after awhile. Seeing misguided focus and good intentions backfiring is something you then try to prevent… and feel no regret when those attempts are believed to be obstacles. It sure beats trying, rather than just evading questions.
Good luck. You’re going to need it. Study the history…
Jan 27th, 2010 (7:51 am)Laura M #22:
It isn’t just Toyota. It’s Kia, Hyundai, Scion, etc. Many of the smaller foreign automakers have been expanding market share at the expense of GM and Chrysler.