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In another potential blow for the president's Ohio reelection campaign, Jeep, the rugged brand President Obama once said symbolized American freedom, is considering giving up on the United States and shifting production to China.......
Well it appears that the taxpayer bailed-out Chrysler is looking back and now considering cutting costs by shifting production of all Jeeps to China, which has a strong desire for Jeeps.
In a Bloomberg interview, Jeep's president said the automaker plans to restore Jeep production in China, suspended in 2009, and is considering making all Jeeps in China. "Fiat SpA, majority owner of Chrysler Group LLC, plans to return Jeep output to China and may eventually make all of its models in that country, according to the head of both automakers' operations in the region," reported the business wire service.
Agree. Exactly why the POTUS shouldn't make empty promises to the voters that we will bring manufacturing jobs back to US shores and blah blah blah. With Romney, it is a given that he comes from a business background and it is part of the business/economic equation based upon the unfortunate but sad reality of US economy. Ofcourse businesses focus on ROI and Returns to the stock/share holders as that is what anyone would expect on their investments. How can a company provide just that if our UNION workers (for the most part) lack work ethics with respect to QUALITY? Take the case of BMW which does not have a union in the US yet the quality of cars are still maintained just the same as other Japanese manufacturers that manufacture/assemble them in US. In reality, it is the economic situation that is forcing anyone(Republican/Democrat/Independents) to make such a trade decision.
Originally posted by sheepslayer247
This shows more for our economic situation than the political. If Obama was truly the root cause of the problem, then why wouldn't they just wait and see of Romney was elected?
They know that either way it doesn't matter. The economy cannot support itself much longer in it's current state and it's best to take their company to a place that has a better environment to prosper. Unfortunately, China has a lot to offer and since our politicians can't get their head out of their asses, our American jobs are going to the Chinese.
Originally posted by darkhorserider
reply to post by hp1229
Regardless of how this affects Obama, it would CRUSH Jeep! Jeep enthusiasts will NOT buy Chinese Jeeps. I have owned 4, and I currently own a 2011 Wrangler, and the quality in 2011 is nothing like it has been in the past. I won't buy a new jeep again, I'll stick to the 70s and 80s models. If they move production overseas, it will just reinforce that sentiment even more. All the jeep enthusiasts I know would feel the same way.
Ideally speaking yes it would make sense. But I have worked for union back when I used to attend college (80's). I was instructed by the union to stick to the quota and do not work or increase the output. At the same time, I have witnessed workers with the lowest technical skills working on the assembly line (Westinghouse) who couldn't care less what was expected. The only thing mattered was the union representative and ofcourse the time cards even though the management's quality expectations were up there. The result was rejected product from the retailers months after they were shipped off the assembly line.
Originally posted by sheepslayer247
reply to post by hp1229
I would not go as far as to blame the Unions for lack of quality or work ethics.
As an Executive Chef, I know that the quality of the food we produce and the work my people do is completely based on how I lead.
If I purchase less then acceptable products to build a meal, and if I do not lead by example by getting in the trenches with my people, it will affect the final product.
So I would blame the people at the top of Jeep that are making bad decisions that compromise the quality of the product. The Union people on the lines are just doing as they are told.
In a Bloomberg interview, Jeep's president said the automaker plans to restore Jeep production in China, suspended in 2009, and is considering making all Jeeps in China. "Fiat SpA, majority owner of Chrysler Group LLC, plans to return Jeep output to China and may eventually make all of its models in that country, according to the head of both automakers' operations in the region," reported the business wire service.
Coming hot on the heels of speculation that some Jeep production may be moved to China comes a bombshell from a Bloomberg report. Fiat is now considering moving Chrysler and Jeep production to Italy.
"To counter the severe slump in European sales, (Fiat CEO Sergio) Marchionne is considering building Chrysler models in Italy, including Jeeps, for export to North America. The Italian government is evaluating tax rebates on export goods to help Fiat. Marchionne may announce details of his plan as soon as Oct. 30, the people said."
Originally posted by Clisen33
So basically, take away jobs that build an all American car and then sell the said vehicle back to Americans?
Jeep not moving to China, Mr. Romney
In an e-mail to employees, the chief executive, Sergio Marchionne, said that Jeep’s commitment to the United States was unequivocal. “I feel obliged to unambiguously restate our position: Jeep production will not be moved from the United States to China,” he wrote. “It is inaccurate to suggest anything different.”
Romney was apparently responding to reports Thursday on right-leaning blogs that misinterpreted a recent Bloomberg News story earlier this week that said Chrysler, owned by Italian automaker Fiat SpA, is thinking of building Jeeps in China for sale in the Chinese market.
"
The truth is that Chrysler is not moving its Jeep production from America to China. As Chrysler said today, 'Jeep has no intention of shifting production of its Jeep models out of North America to China.' And what's more: President Obama has fought on behalf of U.S. auto workers by challenging unfair Chinese tariffs on U.S. auto exports to China, including Jeeps, while Romney would have let the American auto industry and a million jobs go under."
/ex]
www.detroitnews.com...
Former Chrysler President Hal Sperlich called the disagreement between the auto company and the former Massachusetts governor a distraction in a USA Today op-ed endorsing Romney.
Sperlich said Romney would create the most conducive economic environment for car companies to thrive.
"My former Chrysler boss, Lee Iacocca, and I have watched the last four years, and it hasn't been pretty with so many Americans out of work," he said. "Gov. Romney proposes a turnaround for America that will make America the place to do business, providing the jobs our people need. I know it's a cliché, but we can't afford four more years like the last four."