GM Could Face Shortage Of Malibus Due to Strike

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Wall Street Journal

By JOHN D. STOLL and TERRY KOSDROSKY

General Motors Corp.'s ailing North American operation received a fresh blow Monday when thousands of workers went on strike over local work issues at a Kansas plant that produces the Chevrolet Malibu, one of the auto maker's hottest models.

The walkout is the latest salvo in an escalating dispute between the auto maker and the United Auto Workers. Last month, the UAW went on strike at plant in Michigan that was turning out highly profitable, seven-passenger "crossover" vehicles, including the Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia.

A strike at a supplier, American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., has also crippled GM's ability to build large pickup trucks and sports-utility vehicles.


AP Photo/Orlin Wagner
Members of the local UAW strike outside the GM Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas City, Kan., on Monday.

GM last week reported a $3.25 billion loss in the first quarter and said the strike at American Axle reduced earnings in its North American operations by an estimated $800 million.


Read more: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121000276240467803.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

[Sherman A1]

1. One would think

that GM's management might take time to retrieve their head from up their A** and resolve these issues and get the folks back to work, so they have something to sell. But, they are not known for being the brightest crayons in the box.

[NCDem60]

2. With a $3.25 billion loss in the first quarter

they might be better of not building anything for awhile.

[madrchsod]

3. jesus h christ..... gm/chevy finally builds a car

that is second only to the honda accord and they still fight with the unions...yes they are better than the toyota camrey...

[CRF450]

5. True dat, very fine cars.

[mdmc]

7. agreed

I bet they have plenty of bUMMERS.

[virtualobserver]

4. first a shortage of rice, and now malibus

[Fenris]

6. They need to clean these labor issues up and fast.

This could torpedo GM's shot at using the Malibu as their turnaround vehicle.

[onehandle]

8. Good. Their ads comparing those crappy cars to Accords and Camrys are a joke.

If you buy one, you're a victim of advertising.

[TommyO]

9. And you might be blind to the progress that GM and Ford have made.

[onehandle]

12. Every few years like clockwork, GM carts out a "just as good as Japanese" vehicle.

Every time they fall on their face.

Tenth time's a charm?

Hondas and Toyotas are made in the USA now. They're American cars, just better.

[CRF450]

10. Have you even looked at a new Malibu up close?

I cant speak for reliability since its newly redesigned, but the build quality (esp the interior) is outstanding!

[high density]

11. Hottest?

I've yet to see the latest Malibu anywhere but in TV ads and on a dealer lot.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Check out the comments in the KC paper

Get back to work you union scum! You have high paying jobs, that take no brains. Now shut the hell up, put away the cocaine, and get back to work you lazy S.O.B.'s.

*
Posted by: Unions, the ruin of America

[Heywood J]

14. Fairfax, KS is where my car was assembled ten years ago.

Those people know how to make a fine car - I sent them a thank-you letter for their work. It's what GM gives them to work with that's the issue. Constantly ridden hard and put away wet, and it still gets 31MPG over my 75MPH commute, without an hour in the shop.

This should be incentive for GM to step in and instruct the plant management to give in and settle the strike in order to get production running again, but the company has become too insulated from the shop floor. If your workers aren't happy, you don't make money.