Toyota continues to cuts production costs

[charrison]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Ferocious

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

and you care about Chysler why???

Just making a comparison of two similar engine plants with similar goals....I hope they both do well as they both provide very good jobs...

Oh come on, you chide Chysler all the time for being an American Union shop while praising the lower paid Toyota sell outs.

I dont chide chrsler or any of the big 3 for union shops. I chid the UAW for making such advances difficult. UAW is one the reasons that big 3 have a producitivy handicap. This producitivy handicap it letting toyota thrive. ANd yes toyota worked are paid comparable wages to uaw members and on average they are about 25% productive.

And just so you know the retooled crysler engine plant has dropped many of the stupid uaw work rules. Now a 7 man team will do what a 30 man team used to do.

hmm I thought I already enlightened you on this subject before?

Anyways, the UAW has been a non-issue for many years now regarding productivity.

GM operates 3 of the top 5 (including #1) most productive assembly plants in North America. But they have too many old ones. They either need to close them are make capital investments in them.

And most importantly they need to make products that people WANT!

In average toyota requires about 25% less manpower to assemle a car or build transmission or engine. I would not call this a non isssue. If you dont think UAW is responsable for at least part of the producity difference you are delusional.

Typical of the Republican OP, blame the peon workers, not the Execs that continued to not out any money back into the Company for new production facilities and continued to make and push gas guzzling SUV's only the rich and rich-wannabees dumb enough to buy them.

At no point have i claimed that the big 3 problem only because of unions. I have only stated unions are part of their problems. The chrsler engine plant i spoke, the local union dropped their stupid work rules and classification rules because they knew if they had to compete with toyota. The local UAW union is quite aware of what is going to happen to their jobs if they dont remain competitive.

The manage of the big 3 has also had problems but I dont give them a pass either.

 

[lyssword]

err.. aren't most of japanese car companies that sell to U.S emply americans in their factories here on USA soil? (nissan, toyota, honda)

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: lyssword
err.. aren't most of japanese car companies that sell to U.S emply americans in their factories here on USA soil? (nissan, toyota, honda)

They are, but they are also driving pay down to walmart levels. Do none of you get it yet? The essence has been lost.

All anyone is going to remember in 20 years, is that we let the snake in, and whoa with us.

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: maddogchen

Originally posted by: CitizenKain

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: maddogchen
Go Toyota! How long before they take over GM's spot as #1 in the world?

Anyone like you, who cheers on a foreign company, should be shot on the spot. It's not your future, as you are probably a spoiled little rich kid, so, right, why should you care about our american products?

Maybe if american products were worth buying people would cheer them? Until then, yay for Subaru!

Yep. GM cars I've driven have been horrible. They're the ones you usually get when you rent a car while on vacation. What bland and boring interiors. Too much understeer and unsteady brakes. I've had a mini-van sliding door almost come off the car in what I think was a Pontiac. I can never root for Ford after my first car: the ford Tempo. What a fvcking piece of ******! how does a car stall going downhill????? or can't even go over 70+mph after a few years? The only American car company I like is Chrysler.

edit: ooooh look at this: New 2007 Camry, they've lowered the cost and given more standard features

The CE gets an impressive list of standard features including air conditioning with a pollen filter, power windows with driver's auto-down, power door locks with an anti-lockout feature, cruise control, dual color-keyed power outside mirrors, halogen headlamps with an automatic on/off feature, optitron meters, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, tire pressure monitor system and a six-speaker 160-watt digital AM/FM/CD audio system with an auxiliary audio jack. It also comes with 16-inch wheels, a vehicle immobilizer and four-wheel disc brakes.

All this standard equipment adds up to excellent value with a base MSRP of $18,270, a decrease of $175 or 0.9 percent, for four-cylinder manual models, while the four-cylinder automatic models will carry an MSRP of $19,320, an increase of $45 or 0.2 percent.

On average I spend more on maintenance to run the 2 'quality' German cars used by my family than I do on my higher mileage Chrysler product. Go figure. And for long distance I take the Chrysler product because we feel more confident it will not let us down.

I have recently been traveling a lot and the least liked car that we rented was the Camry. Infact both my colleague & I specifically asked the rental co for 'no camry please' on our next trip. I've never been too impressed with GM cars but the last trip they gave me a Pontiac Grand Prix. Did about 1000 miles on it and I was genuinely surprised how easy and comfortable it was to drive - even at high speeds.

 

[nergee]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: lyssword
err.. aren't most of japanese car companies that sell to U.S emply americans in their factories here on USA soil? (nissan, toyota, honda)

"They are, but they are also driving pay down to walmart levels. Do none of you get it yet? The essence has been lost.
All anyone is going to remember in 20 years, is that we let the snake in, and whoa with us."



Do you have a link showing what the Japanese pay auto workers in the U.S.? I'd like to know what the pay actually is.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: nergee

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: lyssword
err.. aren't most of japanese car companies that sell to U.S emply americans in their factories here on USA soil? (nissan, toyota, honda)

"They are, but they are also driving pay down to walmart levels. Do none of you get it yet? The essence has been lost.
All anyone is going to remember in 20 years, is that we let the snake in, and whoa with us."

Do you have a link showing what the Japanese pay auto workers in the U.S.?

I'd like to know what the pay actually is.

$15hr and employees pay quite a bit for health care. That takes that $15hr down a lot.

Enjoy

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: nergee

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: lyssword
err.. aren't most of japanese car companies that sell to U.S emply americans in their factories here on USA soil? (nissan, toyota, honda)

"They are, but they are also driving pay down to walmart levels. Do none of you get it yet? The essence has been lost.
All anyone is going to remember in 20 years, is that we let the snake in, and whoa with us."

Do you have a link showing what the Japanese pay auto workers in the U.S.?

I'd like to know what the pay actually is.

$15hr and employees pay quite a bit for health care. That takes that $15hr down a lot.

Enjoy

Not quite true there Dave. Go to the Toyota Plant in Georgetown, kY. Great pay and some of the best medical coverage at the lowest prices of anyone around. Hard working people but very well paid. With programs that give extra bonuses if your ideas are used to save money and other lean manufacturing technicques, Toyota is able to produce cars at a cheaper price all the while paying very good pay/benefits.

I know several maintenance people at Toyota that make over $100k per year (GREAT pay in Kentucky or lots of places for that matter).

The only downside to Toyota over the past few years is there is a larger than normal number of temporary services used for extended periods of time. A continuing trend like that will make me change my opinion of Toyota.

Honda has similar habits of Toyota.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: nergee

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: lyssword
err.. aren't most of japanese car companies that sell to U.S emply americans in their factories here on USA soil? (nissan, toyota, honda)

"They are, but they are also driving pay down to walmart levels. Do none of you get it yet? The essence has been lost.
All anyone is going to remember in 20 years, is that we let the snake in, and whoa with us."

Do you have a link showing what the Japanese pay auto workers in the U.S.?

I'd like to know what the pay actually is.

$15hr and employees pay quite a bit for health care. That takes that $15hr down a lot.

Enjoy

Not quite true there Dave. Go to the Toyota Plant in Georgetown, kY. Great pay and some of the best medical coverage at the lowest prices of anyone around. Hard working people but very well paid. With programs that give extra bonuses if your ideas are used to save money and other lean manufacturing technicques, Toyota is able to produce cars at a cheaper price all the while paying very good pay/benefits.

I know several maintenance people at Toyota that make over $100k per year (GREAT pay in Kentucky or lots of places for that matter).

The only downside to Toyota over the past few years is there is a larger than normal number of temporary services used for extended periods of time. A continuing trend like that will make me change my opinion of Toyota.

Honda has similar habits of Toyota.

Thanks on the Kentucky feedback. I was going by the Alabama facility.

 

[nergee]

Dave & Engineer...thanks for the replies.

OT question for Engineer...have you done any automation work for the
Toyota Georgetown facility?

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: nergee
Dave & Engineer...thanks for the replies.

OT question for Engineer...have you done any automation work for the
Toyota Georgetown facility?

nergee,

No. I work for an in-house tool/machine building plant. My plant builds equipment only for our own production plants (US, Mexico and Canada only. We don't typically build for international units of the company but it's nice when we do as a free trip abroad is nice 😉 ). Our company don't actually make anything for Georgetown's Toyota but we do supply the Corolla in Canada and some of the trucks, IIRC.

Dave,

Are you talking about the new Sonata plant in Alabama? That plant is the most automated plant in the world. I would assume that almost any true physical work is done by robots in that plant. I'm not sure about the Mercedes plant in Alabama or other companies there (but we do supply both Hyundai and Mercedes with parts).

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: nergee
Dave & Engineer...thanks for the replies.

OT question for Engineer...have you done any automation work for the
Toyota Georgetown facility?

nergee,

No. I work for an in-house tool/machine building plant. My plant builds equipment only for our own production plants (US, Mexico and Canada only. We don't typically build for international units of the company but it's nice when we do as a free trip abroad is nice 😉 ). Our company don't actually make anything for Georgetown's Toyota but we do supply the Corolla in Canada and some of the trucks, IIRC.

Dave,

Are you talking about the new Sonata plant in Alabama? That plant is the most automated plant in the world. I would assume that almost any true physical work is done by robots in that plant. I'm not sure about the Mercedes plant in Alabama or other companies there (but we do supply both Hyundai and Mercedes with parts).

Yes, that is the one.

 

[nergee]

Hyundai in Alabama doesn't seem that bad in terms of pay & benefits......

Hyundai Alabama Jobs

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: nergee
Hyundai in Alabama doesn't seem that bad in terms of pay & benefits......

Hyundai Alabama Jobs

From the site...

HMMA is currently seeking Maintenance Team Members to support the Plant Engineering Department and Die Maintenance Team Members to support the Stamping Department. Wages for Maintenance Team Members begin at $19.65/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $25.36/hour. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and pharmaceutical insurance; 14 paid holidays; 10 vacation days; 401(K) savings plan; vehicle discounts; company-provided Team wear; and a drug-free workplace.


Positions are available for Production Team Members in the following areas:Stamping/Body | Paint | General Assembly | Engine.
Wages for Production Team Members begin at $14.79/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $22.50/hour.

Actually, those wages are very good, IMO, for Alabama. Take those same wages to Michigan (many UAW platnts) and you won't do so well, but those are very good wages in Alabama and I'm happy to see companies like Hyundai moving manufacturing INTO the US instead of out of. 🙂

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor
I have recently been traveling a lot and the least liked car that we rented was the Camry. Infact both my colleague & I specifically asked the rental co for 'no camry please' on our next trip. I've never been too impressed with GM cars but the last trip they gave me a Pontiac Grand Prix. Did about 1000 miles on it and I was genuinely surprised how easy and comfortable it was to drive - even at high speeds.

Hey, if ya don't have to worry about the long-term maintenance and the depreciation, why not? Go hog wild and drive whatever you want when you're renting.

 

[AnyMal]

NPR article comparing GM and Toytota.

 

[charrison]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: nergee
Hyundai in Alabama doesn't seem that bad in terms of pay & benefits......

Hyundai Alabama Jobs

From the site...

HMMA is currently seeking Maintenance Team Members to support the Plant Engineering Department and Die Maintenance Team Members to support the Stamping Department. Wages for Maintenance Team Members begin at $19.65/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $25.36/hour. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and pharmaceutical insurance; 14 paid holidays; 10 vacation days; 401(K) savings plan; vehicle discounts; company-provided Team wear; and a drug-free workplace.


Positions are available for Production Team Members in the following areas:Stamping/Body | Paint | General Assembly | Engine.
Wages for Production Team Members begin at $14.79/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $22.50/hour.

Actually, those wages are very good, IMO, for Alabama. Take those same wages to Michigan (many UAW platnts) and you won't do so well, but those are very good wages in Alabama and I'm happy to see companies like Hyundai moving manufacturing INTO the US instead of out of. 🙂

I also recall hearing that toyota and honda workers got a profit sharing bonus of $5K-$10k this year,

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: charrison

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: nergee
Hyundai in Alabama doesn't seem that bad in terms of pay & benefits......

Hyundai Alabama Jobs

From the site...

HMMA is currently seeking Maintenance Team Members to support the Plant Engineering Department and Die Maintenance Team Members to support the Stamping Department. Wages for Maintenance Team Members begin at $19.65/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $25.36/hour. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and pharmaceutical insurance; 14 paid holidays; 10 vacation days; 401(K) savings plan; vehicle discounts; company-provided Team wear; and a drug-free workplace.


Positions are available for Production Team Members in the following areas:Stamping/Body | Paint | General Assembly | Engine.
Wages for Production Team Members begin at $14.79/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $22.50/hour.

Actually, those wages are very good, IMO, for Alabama. Take those same wages to Michigan (many UAW platnts) and you won't do so well, but those are very good wages in Alabama and I'm happy to see companies like Hyundai moving manufacturing INTO the US instead of out of. 🙂

I also recall hearing that toyota and honda workers got a profit sharing bonus of $5K-$10k this year,

AFAIK, that is true. I do know that if you suggest something that saves time or money in the building process, you get a bonus for that. Not sure if there is a limit but the maintenance/skilled trade folks at Toyota really rake in the bonus money from suggestions that save.

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: WhipperSnapper

Originally posted by: GroundedSailor
I have recently been traveling a lot and the least liked car that we rented was the Camry. Infact both my colleague & I specifically asked the rental co for 'no camry please' on our next trip. I've never been too impressed with GM cars but the last trip they gave me a Pontiac Grand Prix. Did about 1000 miles on it and I was genuinely surprised how easy and comfortable it was to drive - even at high speeds.

Hey, if ya don't have to worry about the long-term maintenance and the depreciation, why not? Go hog wild and drive whatever you want when you're renting.

True. But I tend to drive my own cars the same way as I drive a rental car. I'm not going to change my habits just because it's rented. Plus this trip I had the wife come along so even if I was in a wild mood she knows how to keep me in check 😀

To me a car is more than just a means to go ofrom A to B. The driving experience must be enjoyable - and the Camry just didn't cut it.

 

[BaliBabyDoc]

Originally posted by: Aimster
Is it safe to say unions destroyed GM/FORD?

I don't know much about unions so that's why I'm asking.

It's safe to say bad products killed GM/Ford . . . granted the UAW will be going down the drain with their former employers.

For good measure, the absence of nationalized healthcare (or state's with universal healthcare) helped them along.

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: nergee
Hyundai in Alabama doesn't seem that bad in terms of pay & benefits......

Hyundai Alabama Jobs

From the site...

HMMA is currently seeking Maintenance Team Members to support the Plant Engineering Department and Die Maintenance Team Members to support the Stamping Department. Wages for Maintenance Team Members begin at $19.65/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $25.36/hour. Benefits include medical, dental, vision and pharmaceutical insurance; 14 paid holidays; 10 vacation days; 401(K) savings plan; vehicle discounts; company-provided Team wear; and a drug-free workplace.


Positions are available for Production Team Members in the following areas:Stamping/Body | Paint | General Assembly | Engine.
Wages for Production Team Members begin at $14.79/hour and progress over a 24-month period to $22.50/hour.

Actually, those wages are very good, IMO, for Alabama. Take those same wages to Michigan (many UAW platnts) and you won't do so well, but those are very good wages in Alabama and I'm happy to see companies like Hyundai moving manufacturing INTO the US instead of out of. 🙂

I'm glad too for the jobs that move into the US but the profits are moving out. Thats the downside of foreign ownership.