GM and its impact on FIRST

[Chris_Hibner]

Probably falling a bit too far off the original topic here, but the NYTimes published an interesting interactive map depicting where our various North American vehicles’ major parts are sourced from and where they are final assembled.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/06/19/automobiles/20090619-auto-plants-4.html

That’s a pretty cool interactive map.

One thing that I don’t understand about the media during this recession, is that all of the coverage centers around where the vehicles are “made” (i.e. assembled). That’s fine and dandy, but what about the real high-paying jobs? What about the statistics on where the vehicles are designed, engineered, planned, parts-purchased, marketed, etc.? Since this is an engineering-based forum, I just wanted to point out that this is never mentioned.

For the company that I used to work at (I’m not an engineer anymore, btw - but that might change in the near future), for every one blue-collar job at a plant, there were about 4 white-collar jobs. In other words, if for some reason supporting American workers enters you thought process, keep in mind that while you may be supporting a factory worker at a Toyota plant, you’re supporting a factory worker plus 3 engineers and designer at Ford (not to mention the share holders).

[waialua359]

After reading and hearing all of the concerns for GM, Delphi and others in the automotive industry…this is truly a tough post to respond to as far as mentorship, sponsorship, and corporate support as it ties to FIRST.
Buying a car that directly/indirectly supports the corporate entities that in turn supports FIRST is a touchy situation for some, as I would imagine.

People buy cars for their own personal reasons, and I would assume a big decision due to cost. For me, its the second largest purchase I’ve made next to a house. Its the same scenario here in Hawaii where everything is expensive and we are always encouraged by our State to buy Hawaii before anything and anywhere else.
Its pretty difficult to do for many as they buy things from the mainland USA instead when its a lot cheaper (including freight costs).

Ultimately, I personally feel that if GM is going to survive, it cant be because we are trying to save jobs and the US Car industry. It has to be a whole lot more if someones going to spend that much on something.

My .02.

[Chris_Hibner]

Ultimately, I personally feel that if GM is going to survive, it cant be because we are trying to save jobs and the US Car industry. It has to be a whole lot more if someones going to spend that much on something.

My .02.

You are completely right. I just want to clarify my previous post. In NO WAY am I endorsing buying American cars to save American workers. I was just pointing out that IF YOU base YOUR decisions on things like that, then just keep in mind that there are a lot more workers than just those in the factories.

[system]

That’s a pretty cool interactive map.

One thing that I don’t understand about the media during this recession, is that all of the coverage centers around where the vehicles are “made” (i.e. assembled). That’s fine and dandy, but what about the real high-paying jobs? What about the statistics on where the vehicles are designed, engineered, planned, parts-purchased, marketed, etc.? Since this is an engineering-based forum, I just wanted to point out that this is never mentioned.

For the company that I used to work at (I’m not an engineer anymore, btw - but that might change in the near future), for every one blue-collar job at a plant, there were about 4 white-collar jobs. In other words, if for some reason supporting American workers enters you thought process, keep in mind that while you may be supporting a factory worker at a Toyota plant, you’re supporting a factory worker plus 3 engineers and designer at Ford (not to mention the share holders).

I think that sort of thing frequently doesn’t enter into the discussion because of our culture’s ‘war’ on intellectualism. When it isn’t possible to discredit someone’s expertise or experience, we aim to instead discount it by making it seem like the people involved are different – usually by characterizing them as smug, superior or out of touch with the everyman.

I think there’s an impression that white-collar workers will have a less challenging time rebounding from losing their job and adapting to a new field than a blue-collar worker may. Consequently, if people consider that such white-collar workers make up 75% of those affected by the collapse of these companies, they may be less sympathetic to saving them and all that entails.