GM And Tariffs

A writer for the Washington Post declares that nothing can be done to hold up General Motors and other American industries. This is hogwash. Certainly tariffs can be put on all foreign made foreign corporation vehicles. That would include the vehicles made here by foreign firms.

I am sick and tired of hearing that the "displaced workers" in other words the laid off, can be retrained while they collect unemployment. Nothing is wrong with them receiving unemployment, but not all can be retrained for other lines of work. Their aptitude is assembly line work. Sometimes you cannot take a fish out of water and expect it to swim! In other words, these poor souls are STUCK IN THE MUD! What could get them out is only another job of the same skills, which is most likely a very poor paying job compared to what they were paid at GM. It is a sorry day for America.

GM And The UAW (Delphi)

It seems as though GM is in dire need. But is this the case? Delphi (GM's largest supplier) declared Bankruptcy before the laws on Bankruptcy became more stringent. This takes much pressure off of Delphi.

Now, GM is liable for the pensions that Delphi's UAW retired workers were entitled to if Delphi ran into trouble. Well Delphi has run into trouble. But Delphi's workers do not like the fact that their wages are being cut 62%. This could be the Ace in the Hole for GM. They could offer higher wages to Delphi workers in lieu of GM being held accountable for the pensions on retirees.

I think this would be good for everyone all around. If GM were to become liable for these pensions, it is possible GM would be in for it's bumpiest road ever in ten decades.

Edsel Ford (Part 4)

An admirable asset of Edsel Ford was his patient, quiet, enduring decency that you did not find in persons in corporations of his size. Edsel had a character that was admired by the people who were worth admiring. There are no bones about it, Edsel was an excellent administrator, second to none, and probably would have been an excellent President of Ford Motor (he was) had Henry never meddled. And he was not the type to sucker punch as so many of his adversaries (including his father, Henry) pulled on him. As stated he took all of this in stride, until it finally made him ill (more on this later).

Could Edsel have countered his adversaries punches? He did. But this wasn't good enough for them. They were relentless and could not see the absolute fair play and decency of Edsel. They were too ignorant to see how TOUGH EDSEL WAS!

Edsel Ford was a grand man with grand ideas that if carried out, would have equalled Henry Ford's genius accomplishments.

GM And Edmunds

The hot new car from GM is from Pontiac. It is a 2-seater roadster called the Solstice. This is a Bob Lutz inspired project. (Bob Lutz has more gasoline in his veins than a service station and has worked for all of the American car companies, with this being his second stint at GM. He is Vice Chairman and 73 years young).

When checking Edmunds, one will notice the 6.7 rating it received from the editors, while looking at the nine reviews from customers of the actual production car, it receives a 9.7. An anomaly is that although the Solstice only receives a 6.7 it is an Editor's Pick as a car they would want. Low standards?!

One more thing. Everything Edmunds cuts down about the Solstice, the nine customer reviewers state they LOVE! The one thing both agree on is the limited trunk space.

So there you have it. I'm saving my money!

Edsel Ford (Part 3)

As I said before, Edsel wasn't allowed to go to college, but because he was so highly intelligent (probably brilliant) he turned into one of Detroit's greatest executives. Competitors even knew and said this.

One example of Henry's odd and mean ways toward Edsel, comes in this story. The Model T was long in the tooth and had been for some time. Edsel and his allies had it planned that at lunch, Edsel would bring up the subject (something that was taboo) and his executive friends would chime in afterwards, sticking up for Edsel and his cause.

Edsel did just that at lunch. He mentioned to his father that it might be time to change cars from the Model T to an all new model car. Henry stood up and said, "You shut up Edsel!" and stormed from the room. Not one of Edsel's executive friends said a word. This was the type of fear Henry instilled in everyone. Even Edsel, Henry's own son, had a trepidation around his father. It was very sad for the supposed head of Ford Motor Company, President Edsel Ford.

Edsel had character unlike his father. He was well bred and aristocratic. Being this way, he did not have the fight in him, as did his father. Instead he was obedient, to a fault. Not to say Edsel did everything his father's way, he did not, but his father felt the company belonged to him, so he had everything to say, and no one else had anything to say. For Edsel, being grown up would become a tragedy from Shakespeare.

Lincoln * Another Quick Joke

Abraham Lincoln (who did not really have any religious affiliation most of his life, although he lived like a "Christian") was asked one day what his religion was. He answered, " I knew a farmer in the old days who said, 'When I do good I feel good, when I do bad I feel bad'", and then Lincoln added, "And that's my religion."

This is not the Christian way as Jesus is the saving Grace for us, but Lincoln is nonetheless hilarious.

Fail Safe

I know I am writing about GM an awful lot, but bear with me. There is too much news to ignore this.

If all else does not work, then the U.S. policy makers will have to resort to automotive tariffs. It is one thing to have a healthy global marketplace. It is another to have your own corporations flounder while the foreign competition thrives in your markets.

These automotive tariffs would be put on all automobiles whose manufacturer is based in a foreign land (e.g. Honda is derived from Japan). The amount of tariff put on any one automobile would be in direct relation to the quantity of that auto that is sold in the U.S. Of course GM and Ford would not be subject to these tariffs, as they are the American auto industries that need bolstering.

It would behoove the U.S. not to do this, for a calamity may be on the horizon!

GM Again

I am going to forego the continuation of the last post to bring more timely information about GM to the forefront.

I think it is well known that GM sells to fleet buyers. In a magazine I was perusing in the late 1980's, it was stated that this certain fleet buyer was getting 250,000 miles from their six cylinder Impalas. This is quite ironic considering the fact that GM was making "junk" at that time.

But I would like to address another issue. It is a fact that bean counting is an important factor in any business, especially public ones. But it doesn't forgive management for not giving every last resource to the products they make. When making automobiles engineering and manufacturing must take precedence. Everything matters when making these pieces of machinery that are no less than 10,000 pieces.

I think it would be unforgiveable for the engineers to hand out their plans for an auto over to manufacturing, only to have the designs compromised. And this would not be manufacturings fault. It is upper managements fault, for all decisions come from above.

Am I saying GM does this? NO, not anymore. But I think the complacency of management of the past in this corporation did. GM is now feeling the hangover from this and not many car consumers are giving GM THE CHANCE TO PROVE THEY ARE COMPETITIVE AND ARE MAKING FINE AUTOMOBILES TODAY AND NOW!

It is inevitable that GM would give large discounts again in the face of losing market share. It may cost now, but each one percent of automotive market share is equal to two billion dollars. This is something that this car company just cannot give up, even if it means much lower profit margins. It's called buying time. GM's products are equal or ahead of all, but as I said, it's hard to live down a bad reputation, and extremely hard to rebuild a good one.

How does a company try to win back a customer or win a new customer? Any way it can! First build the best possible product. GM is. Let customers know. GM is doing so. If all else fails, the first measure of getting people back in the showroom (and keeping market share) in a short period of time, is through the pocket book! Then when the automotive customer sees that GM's devotion to manufacturing an outstanding vehicle is there, then and only then will the automotive consumer return sans rebates and special offers.

There are very few American product manufacturers left. Automobiles is the "last vestage of hope" for the U.S. Yes, look at the competition, but do not forget GM, and you will not be dissappointed.

That is all.

Pastel

This excellent piece of work by Ylli is of course, Derek Jeter. It is an example of Ylli's exemplary work in pastels. I had mentioned them as an aside when I put the picture of Lincoln up (right below).

To see Ylli's wonderful works (there are 100's) on eBay just use the searchword Ylli.

Lincoln's Patient Suffering

This fine piece of artwork was done by the artist Ylli. Use this searchword (Ylli) to find all of this masters artwork on eBay.

Ylli not only does Charcoal (this piece of Abe is in Charcoal) but he does oils, acrylics, and pastels, the latter being an outstanding and much more rare medium to use. Artists do not work with pastels as often, as they would rather spend time with oils. Most of Ylli's portrait prints are done in pastel.

Edsel Ford (Part 2)

Understanding Edsel is difficult, one - because he never really let his emotions out and two - because there isn't enough literature out there about this wonderful man.

But as I do with Abraham Lincoln, I will lay out the facts and then try to generate my thoughts, feelings, and what I think Edsel Ford was like.

When Edsel Ford was a boy, this was the happy time of his life. His father set up a mechanics shop for Edsel to work in, and this is where he learned mechanics. In school he would scribble on paper the different designs that were in his head and thought of. (He also was an excellent student).

When Edsel turned 18 years of age, he naturally wanted to go to college. Henry stopped that. Henry Ford was not an advocate of formal education. This hurt Edsel immensely, but although he argued his point, in the end he gave in to his father's wishes (something that would recur his entire life).

You will notice as I go along that there will not be any negative writing of Edsel. That's not because I like it that way (though it is nice) but because nothing negative is in the history of Edsel, either in writing or interviews with peers.

(More To Come)

Lincoln * A Quick Joke

Lincoln was asked how he felt being President of the United States. Lincoln replied, "It's kind of like the man who is tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail. The man stated, 'If it weren't for the honor of the thing, I'd much rather walk!' "

GM * Just A Cogent Thought

I was wondering why so many Japanese autos have been sold with the seven year warranty.

The only reason is because something could go wrong, go wrong, go wrong, you get the idea. I guess the haloed Japanese automobiles can have flaws.

Everyone of the four new GM vehicles I bought did not go out the door with the seven year warranty; I knew it was a waste of money!

A. Lincoln 2

I will be jumping around with Lincoln because there is just too much to tell, and many times I forget something from his life that I should have included.

There are 16,000+ books on Lincoln and I think probably every one of them is trying to figure him out. I think that one of the reasons that Lincoln is so popular is not only what incredible success he had as a patient president, but also the fact that no one can figure him out.

I must say that the best any book could receive for its efforts on Lincoln, would be very good. Yes this is all. The reason, there are no hard facts on every time of Lincoln's life. Lincoln's "Speeches and Writings" is the closest anyone will be able to delve into the mind of Lincoln. Or if one is lucky enough to run across something he said from a reliable source.

Personally my favorite summary of what Lincoln was like in the White House comes from Harriet Beecher Stowe. I can't quote it, for I haven't the book in front of me, but at a later date I certainly will.

My personal favorite quote of Lincoln's:
"...and yet the human instrumentalities working just as they do are of the best adaptation to effect His purpose..."
This came from one of his personal writings, and was found after he was dead.

Lincoln if anything was a genius. I do not think that anyone else in the secular world even remotely achieved what he did (and with so little). On second thought he probably could be considered for Sainthood, although he became Christian late in life (more on this later).

What I will do, is not try to figure him out, but display the facts (that I know and will learn) about him. This will give the man the true measure of character without any theatrics.

GM And 1980

In nineteen-eighty it was the new dawn for the Rising Sun. Just the year before gas prices went up and many car consumers (and probably the majority were commuters) were looking for better gas mileage from their car. This entailed buying what would be the only game in town, which were the Japanese automobiles.

Simultaneously it was noticed that the Japanese makes were superior in quality to their American counterparts. This was definitely the case with the small makes, but as far as the bigger make American autos, this was dubious. Front wheel drive also became the rage and Detroit was caught off guard for these three items (gas mileage, quality in small cars, and FWD).

GM went from 50% of the market share in the U.S., to 37% in 1985. This was a catastrophy. Resources were not being used right in manufacture of autos. The old Sloan method would have to be put out to pasture or would it?

(More To Come)

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Thanksgiving was made an official holiday by Abraham Lincoln during the terrible Civil War. This has always been known to be most ironic. Lincoln stated something to the effect that we must be thankful to the Almighty for our bounty. Think of how much more we should be thankful to the Almighty at this time.

Edsel Ford (Part 1 Of Many)

Edsel Ford the man is my greatest hero. Here is a man who all his life wanted to satisfy his father (Henry) and received not the least bit of praise from him.

Who is Edsel Ford? He is the only son of Henry Ford, the man who made the Model T and was not only a genius, but an ignoramus. Henry Ford if anything is an enigma. But I do not care to go into his life. Edsel is the one I am writing about. He was a devoted husband and father. He knew the car business as well as any. And he made some of the most extraordinary automobiles of his time. Today these autos are classics! If you are familiar with the '34 Ford, you know Edsel.

Edsel not only knew the mechanics of a car, but the styling. He could not necessarily put the pencil to paper or hands to the clay, but the designs were in his head, and E.T. Gregorie did the rest. He also was an excellent administrator. In other words, he was the purest form of your "gasoline in the veins" auto man and manufacturer. But alas he lived in the shadow of his father (to this day he does) and lived a life with real Machevelian (sic) danger.

What else did Edsel do? Well he was the glue of Ford in the '30's and made "Willit Run" run.

(This will be continued at a further date).

A. Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln was a man not a myth or mystical figure that could perform miracles. That he was a man makes him more amazing. If you consider what this towering genius of a man accomplished in just a few years you can see that this is quite the opposite of his peers who had long political careers.

Lincoln was born in eighteen-o-nine in very humble surroundings. This quite humble, but hopeful genius, was not well known throughout most of his life. It was the Dred Scott (a slave) case in eighteen-fifty-four that impelled Lincoln to action. And even though he debated Stephen Douglass (the last "s" was later removed) the extremely well known senator from Illinois in eighteen-fifty-eight, it was not until eighteen-sixty when he made his famous Cooper Union Address (to unprecedented rousing applause) that he became known in The East. This stapled or forged his reknown stature in the United States.

As is known, he became President of the U.S. in eighteen-sixty-one.

(Continued At A Later Date)

Some of GM's Roots

William Crapo Durant had the right idea when he put together a conglomerate of different car companies, making General Motors in 1910. Though he really didn't have the business mind, he started a new way of selling cars.

In the late nineteens or early nineteen-twenty's Alfred Sloan took over. In effect, this would change General Motors for good. Sloan had the idea to sell cars from the low end all the way to the affluent.

Chevy would be everyman's car. Once this "everyman" stepped up, he could buy a Pontiac. From there a Buick, an Oldsmobile, and finally the Flagship Cadillac.

This business model was an excellent one. It worked for the times and for sixty years. But the end of this business model being useful ended with the onslaught of foreign makes in nineteen-eighty.

(Continued At A Later Date)