Comments on: The $73 an hour lie that will not die

By: my2bucks

my2bucks — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 04:24:29 +0000

Here is a great letter written by a Ford Dealer.
http://pennsylvaniaforchange.wordpress.com/2008/12/17/letter-from-a-ford-dealer/

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 01:46:42 +0000

It is so unfortunate that the truth is being smothered by the media.
I honestly hope that America will start realizing what really goes on in the American car companies which is far from what most radio and television reporters communicate!

By: Leonard

Leonard — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:59:45 +0000

And a lot of the transplant employees will have no pension and no retiree medical costs. 401K’s and “you’re own your own” for retiree medical. Completely unacceptable.

Let’s also not forget the hundreds of millions in tax payer incentives to the transplants, as well.

By: my2bucks

my2bucks — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:15:38 +0000

Absolutely correct. Plus they don’t have generations of pensions to pay to American retirees since the foreign automakers have only had plants here for a relatively short time.

By: Kate Ryan

Kate Ryan — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:00:40 +0000

Thanks for putting this out there. I have wanted to scream every time I hear this. Since the foreign automakers are relatively new in this country, they have no legacy costs to spread out over their hourly rates. Interesting that in their home countries, this isn’t even an issue because their governments fund health care and pensions.

By: my2bucks

my2bucks — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:52:03 +0000

I agree. It does seem like we had at least 1 car ad during each tv and radio break.

And I believe R&D went to new SUV’s and minivans not improving fuel economy.

By: Cats r Flyfishn

Cats r Flyfishn — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 14:08:59 +0000

Q: Do labor costs make up the majority of the cost of producing a vehicle?

A: No. Labor costs are about 10 percent of the costs of producing a vehicle. The other 90 percent includes research and development, parts, advertising, marketing and management overhead.

Interesting… I certainly can understand the advertising cost. Seems like every commercial break during prime time TV includes a car commercial. I hate these car commercials.