Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Topic: Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd (Read 1834 times) previous topic - next topic

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

November 17, 2005, 08:27:43 AM

In case this hasn't already been posted somewhere on this board, here it is...

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15569680&BRD=1699&PAG=461&dept_id=566374&rfi=8

"The early 1970s ushered in the Torino and the late 1970s saw the LTD II, the Cougar and the XR7.

Other than the Econoline, the Thunderbird was produced the longest, from 1980 to 1997, according to statistics from Ford.

The last Ford Thunderbird -- another candy-apple red model -- came off the line in Lorain on Sept. 4, 1997. The occasion was ceremoniously marked by putting a banner across the back bumper of the car that said, ''That's All Folks.''"

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #1 – November 17, 2005, 09:27:52 AM

That sucks......Is it me or do they always seem to do this just in time for the holiday season?

More good news here: http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/10/19_wilpen 15senw_ford/

People wonder why the U.S automakers are losing groud. I don't think it helps that you can hardly talk to anyone who builds American cars anymore.......Seems there are more autoworkers employed by import car manufacturers in the U.S. then by the "American car manufacturers"

More reading: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101101325.html

The 2008 Mercury Cougar: Made in China, Assembled in Mexico

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #2 – November 17, 2005, 10:19:09 AM

If the Rouge plant wasn't sacred, nothing is with Ford. The Lorain plant was once a very powerful (and profitable) cog in the machine. Times change, priorities change, even the manufacturing process has changed significantly. It makes more sense for Ford to update newer plants than older ones.

The saddest part about Lorain closing is that it was one of 3 plants in the Cleveland area from the heyday of muscle cars and, really, good times for the automotive industry in general. Ford had a tremendous loyalty and commitment to Cleveland. My, how that has changed. Ford really stuck it to Cleveland HARD. What a shame.

I have always loved the fact that our cars were made at the legendary Lorain plant. And that most of the suspension and drivetrain components were made here in Ohio. Our cars are more 'Ohio' than most of what's being built here in the state now (Accord, Liberty, etc.). Being a native Ohioan, pride in your state is very important, and our cars have never let my pride down. We can truly stand tall that our cars were THE BEST from the era. The doors can close but that fact can never be taken away.

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #3 – November 17, 2005, 10:54:45 AM

If you read the whole article, looks like Lorain and the UAW kinda stuck it to themselves...

Quote

Controversies between Ford, the city of Lorain, Vermilion Schools and the UAW Local 425 go back to 1995, but Ford officials have never publicly said the shuttering of the plant is anything other than improving efficiency among its plants and reducing operating costs.

In 1995, Ford halted construction on an $256 million paint shop when former Lorain Chief Building Inspector Jack Murphy imposed $300,000 in fines on Ford for beginning to operate it without having all of its permits in place.

The paint shop then was disconnected and was moved to the assembly plant in Louisville where many of the Lorain workers transferred.

Also in 1995, Vermilion Schools sued Ford over the amount of the value the company had placed on personal and property taxes when it had received a tax abatement for an expansion. Ford later reached a settlement with Vermilion schools.

UAW Local 425 also insisted on working under the traditional operating agreement, despite the company and international union requesting the workforce conform to a modern operating agreement similar to Ohio Assembly's Unit II that allowed more flexibility among its workforce.

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #4 – November 17, 2005, 11:46:36 AM

Quote

UAW Local 425 also insisted...

I hate the UAW. It can be argued that they are the reason GM is getting ready to go down the toilet as well. They're more hurt than help.

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #5 – November 17, 2005, 07:24:35 PM

Quote

I hate the UAW. It can be argued that they are the reason GM is getting ready to go down the toilet as well. They're more hurt than help.

Here's another opinion on that.... I got it from the UAW website and it states it may not necessarily be the view of the UAW.....I'll let you decide.
http://www.uaw.org/atissue/atstory.cfm?atId=127

Also this one from Forbes Magazine:
http://www.forbes.com/newsletter/2005/11/14/gm-bankruptcy-lehmann-in_rl_1114soapbox_inl.html

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #6 – November 17, 2005, 08:17:11 PM

...And even more bad news for GM:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10075026/

While I can't see GM declaring bankruptcy any time soon (as in, within two or three years), I certainly wouldn't rule it out either. GM is is some serious financial trouble, and several recent decisions have made it even worse:

1) GM cancelled or delayed development on all mainstream vehicles in order to put resources into the replacement for the big trucks and SUV's. While this may have seemed like a good idea at the time (after all, trucks were GM's moneymakers) it has proven to be very poorly timed - just when gas goes over three bucks a gallon GM puts all its eggs into the full size SUV/truck basket. Yes, gas has come back down a bit for now, but the memory of those prices will be in consumer's minds for years to come. Full size truck sales are down across the board, simply because people don't like $100 fill-ups. Meanwhile, just as the market starts to shift back toward mainstream 4-door sedans, GM has nothing noteworthy to offer.

2) GM just paid $2 BILLION to get out of buying Fiat. I dont know how GM ever got roped into a deal like that, but $2 Billion is $2 Billion. Gone. Not spent on development. Not spent on advertising. Not spent on wages, health care, or other benefits. Just... gone.

3) GM has been held hostage by the UAW for decades. This alone may not have been too bad, but to combine that with free trade zones that encourage foreign manufacturers to sell cheap cars here does nothing to promote the domestic product. The Honda Accord is so much better than the Chevy Impala because Honda can afford to build the superior car and sell it relatively cheap. And yes, I'm aware that some Hondas and Toyotas are built in USA, but those companies make more than enough money on the cars that are built in third world factories with employees that are paid pennies compared to American workers, so they can afford to give up a bit of margin in favour of increased market share. Then they convert US dollars into puppiesanese Yen and laugh all the way to the bank.

So what is the cure? Do we impose duties on cars built in poor countries to make American plants more competitive? Sure, if you want to see the price of cars in general go up (believe me, you wouldn't be able to buy a Mustang for $25k if you couldn't buy a WRX or EVO for about the same).

Do you try to convince people to "Buy American"? Pretty hard to do, when better products are available for less money.

No, I think the only thing that will save the US auto industry is for the UAW to finally give in and allow for some concessions. I don't give a shiznit how long you've worked there, or how long your daddy has worked there, there is no way you deserve $30/hr for standing in an assembly line. And if you want a pension, invest in a private pension plan. Don''t expect your employer to take care of you to the grave. Until the US auto industry can have costs in the same league as the imports, the US auto industry will not be able to compete with the imports.

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #7 – November 18, 2005, 01:08:57 AM

I was 10 when Iacocca and Crew rolled out the Caravan and K-cars that saved Chrysler. To those of you who know more about that situation than I do, I ask; Compared to how bad off Chrysler was in the first part of the 80's how does GM fare? The same? Worse? Better?

It's time for another revolution in the car world. U.S. automakers have consistently done just that. The pickup truck, the van, the minivan, assembly lines.......
Problem is once they do it they wait for the competition to play catch-up however the competition plays that game so well they surpass the original design forcing the U.S. automakers to play the game and they are not as good at it.

Chrysler's minivans became archaic compared to other companies offerings years ago. With the help of their new found German influence they have learned to adapt and are putting out good products that people are willing to buy (a V6 Charger is on the list as one of the wife's prospective cars--once we decide we will then trade her current car in)

America's icon, the pickup, is being emulated by foreign competition as well. Anybody actually looked into the Nissan Titan? They start at bare bones for 23K fully loaded for 30K. 305 HP -- 379 TQ in a 23K truck for the 2006 model year is impressive. Not to mention 4 wheel ABS and an automatic transmission with 5 gears. Pricing out the bottom Ford F-150 with comparable optoins to the base Titan put me at 28K. That got me the 4.6 SOHC(240 HP -- 300 TQ) a 4 speed auto, oh and TWO wheel drive....

Somebody's gotta come up with a great idea and then STAY AHEAD OF THE PACK!

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #8 – November 18, 2005, 01:40:46 AM

The problem is, what kind of fresh ideas are left to be created?

"lets take a car, thats comfortable, and find a way to give it the utility of a truck" been there, done that, failed, and subaru's whatever its called is horrible looking, i dont know why they bothered

"lets make some that can carry as many people as an SUV, but is smaller than an SUV, and doesnt look like an SUV" there you have the Magnum

there isnt shiznit out thats a fresh idea, or anything new, its taking something existing, and adding to it. its sad when people look to the past, at failed designs to get inspiration for new cars

im waiting for ford to end mercury and make a new line called Edsel

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #9 – November 18, 2005, 08:27:17 AM

Quote from: Tbird232ci

im waiting for ford to end mercury and make a new line called Edsel

Mercury's already gone in Canada, and has been gone for several years. You could still buy the Grand Marquis I think, but you had to buy it at a Ford dealer, not an L-M dealer, and I'm not even sure you can still get one now the Marauder's dead...

Lorain Plant to Close on Dec. 23rd

Reply #10 – November 18, 2005, 09:22:22 AM

having worked as a contractor in a GM union shop, a huge part of the problem for the US automakers are (and pick your order)

1: weak management that refuses to try to improve efficiency models and a habit of promoting the noisiest and/or "most minority" personel, while those that work hard are ignored

2: a union that refuses to look at the current economic times and models and realize that you can't get FULL god like benefits and 27 dollars an hour to drive a fork truck around for 5 hours and sit for 3. this will NOT fly, and they are negotiating the automakers into bankrupcy.