| GM to Start Importing Chinese-Built Cars to U.S. | |
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| May 13, 2009 19:40 |   |
 | By JOSH MITCHELL http://online.wsj.com/ General Motors Corp. plans to start importing Chinese-built vehicles into the U.S. in 2011, according to an outline the auto maker submitted to the U.S. government. GM currently makes vehicles in China for sale in Asia. But the Detroit company plans for the first time to ship some of them to the U.S. to save on manufacturing costs. GM told Congress that the company plans to ship 17,335 Chinese-built vehicles to the U.S. in 2011. That figure would jump to more than 38,000 in 2012 and more than 53,000 in 2013, the document states. Imports from other countries, including South Korea, Japan and Mexico, also would increase. The plan is part of a broader cost-cutting strategy at GM, which has said it intends to eliminate 21,000 U.S. manufacturing jobs. The plans are being devised under the guidance of President Barack Obama's auto-industry task force as part of GM's restructuring. GM's intention to import more cars is being strongly opposed by the United Auto Workers union, which argues that the company, surviving on more than $15 billion in U.S. loans, shouldn't use taxpayer money to subsidize U.S. job losses. A GM spokesman declined to comment Wednesday, saying that talks with the union are ongoing. Industrial robots assemble a car at the Shanghai General Motors factory in Shanghai, China.  |
Last edited by MARRIE: May 13, 2009 19:42 | |
| May 13, 2009 20:13 | #1 |
| Everyone in the States may have to be working and living in China by then......MARRIE This is a 1/2 serious and 1/2 joking comment. Chinese investors are already considering real estate in California, Florida and in between. |
| May 14, 2009 19:55 | #2 |
| The salary of union worker is 25 times as much as that of shanghai workers. It sounds reasonable as bargaining chips with Union. However, Importing cars is an extremely destructive scheme to US... that's why, i guess, there is no comment...I just don't understand what's wrong with US who seems have little sense of nationalism on protection of national economy...probably it's an immigrant land not a one nation country? |
| May 15, 2009 12:39 | #3 |
| Comes to protectionism, the US is the leading country in the world. But it is only political. The bottom line of capitalism is that you can do anything you like to maximize the stockholder´s profit. No need to think about your country nor the people. No need to think. That´s why the whole world lies in mud now. However, the reality of the prices is not cheap. Cars with suitable equipment to be allowed to use in the US - or EU - are much more than cars build to asian markets. Sorry, the last sentence was Finglish... Carlos |
| May 16, 2009 13:47 | #4 |
| Carlos, actually 1/3 of US cars are manufactured outside US, which is no big deal. except labor costs, US auto makers still have dominant advantages over others from market and technology perspectives. long time ago, US voluntarily offerred key technology and market shares in small size cars to JP. I think it's time to bring lost ground back if it sets up more plants in East Asia because GM does have brands with high prestige like Buik, Chevy, etc. In North America, i find most people including my Chinese friends prefer driving US cars, small size or big size because it gives sense of safety and runs well in bad road conditions like heavy snow. |
Last edited by MARRIE: May 16, 2009 14:04 |
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