Deep cuts at Chrysler -- plus new last-minute attempt to go hybrid
The ailing U.S. carmaker Chrysler said Friday it will cut 25 percent of its white-collar work force, on top of 1,825 manufacturing job cuts announced Thursday.
The company is looking for voluntary departures starting immediately from its 18,500 white-collar work force. This is only the latest sign of what some experts now believe is the almost inevitable demise of one of the "Big Three" U.S. auto manufacturers. The smallest of the three, Chrysler has seen its United States sales fall 24 percent this year.
Meanwhile, Chrysler's Web site says it is pushing ahead with plans to develop new hybrid vehicles -- a bit late some might say. Chrysler has been the slowest U.S. car company to join the alternative fuel race. It announced plans this week to introduce three new vehicles: electric versions of its Town and Country minivan and Jeep Wrangler, as well as the Dodge EV, a rear-wheel-drive sports car with a body built by the European automaker Lotus.
David Adams, Times Staff Writer
*
Even IF they manage to pull that off, there aren't that many folks out there that are going to run-right out of slap their money on the barrel head. This is not a last ditch effort to save their companies. It is just more of the same 'back-scratching' we saw ten years ago. The big-three telling the government, "Oh sure we'll make hybrids, and for few billion more we might even make a nice 25mpg-SUV too!
Obama is right about one thing, we do need American-made hybrids. What Obama is wrong about is American automakers producing them. If Honda and Toyota took over Detroit, replacing Chevy and Ford, that would make up for all the job loses. The CEO's should be jailed. They refused to make fuel-efficient vehicles, and they cut jobs rather than profits. I hope they all end up like Lehman!
Posted by: ChrisP | October 27, 2008 at 09:00 AM
"Repo man's return a sign of the times", by Tom Zucco, June 22, 2008, edition of the St. Petersburg Times.
"Car repossession is one industry that's thriving as most others tank and drivers miss their payments."
Since fewer Americans can afford cars, maybe American auto makers should start making scooters and bicycles in addition to cars.
Posted by: Kimberly | October 29, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Chrysler to halt production of all hybrids, one month after going on sale:
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a17N0LE2z3pc&refer=home
Oh yeah, keep believing those Chrysler press releases!
Posted by: Tino | October 30, 2008 at 01:11 PM