Ohio official: New GM-Moraine product 'remote' possibility
> Do you think there's a chance?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
DAYTON — General Motors Corp. is weighing an as-yet-unannounced vehicle that could be directed to Ohio — and perhaps Moraine — for production, Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said Tuesday Aug. 19.
Fisher said he and Gov. Ted Strickland met with GM decision-makers last week to try to persuade them to assign a new vehicle for production at GM's Moraine assembly plant, Fisher said after being taped for the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce cable television program "Business Connection."
In June, GM said high gas prices and slow sales have forced the automaker to schedule for closure the Moraine plant and three other North American plants by 2010 or earlier. Fisher emphasized Tuesday that GM officials have stood by that announcement in discussions with state officials.
But Fisher said also that GM has left open a possibility of a new assignment for the plant at Stroop Road and Kettering Boulevard.
"I think it's fair to say it's an uphill conversation," Fisher said. "They have not completely ruled out the possibility of a new product in Moraine."
Fisher said he could not speak in detail about one product in particular, other than to say a two-step process would be involved: Ohio must be selected as the state in which the product would be made, then Moraine must be selected as the production site.
"Ohio must win the competition for the new product," Fisher said.
In the taping of the chamber's "Business Connection" program, Fisher called that new product "a remote possibility" for Moraine.
"We have to be realistic," said Judy Dodge, a Montgomery County commissioner who was also interviewed for the chamber program. "We have to be very realistic."
Sharon Basel, a GM spokeswoman, declined to talk about any potential new GM products.
"The GM executives made no promises whatsoever," Fisher said of his and Strickland's recent conversation with them. "But they didn't say 'No.' And until they say 'No,' we're going to keep pressing."
Fisher also said the state was crafting a set of financial incentives for the automaker in case the company does find a new product for the Moraine plant. Basel said that no effort by the state to "partner" with GM would be considered a waste of time.
The Moraine plant makes mid-size SUVs like the Chevrolet TrailBlazer. When gas prices rose steadily in spring 2008, sales for those vehicles fell considerably. GM decision-makers have said they expect that trend to be permanent, and they have turned their focus to more fuel-efficient vehicles, such as the new Chevrolet Cruze, which will be made in GM's Lordstown plant in the Youngstown area.
Fisher and Strickland plan to be at the Lordstown plant Thursday for GM's official announcement of its investment in that plant. Fisher on Tuesday called the situation "the reality of a dynamic economy where there's give and take."
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2390 or tgnau@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Comments
By AkulA
August 20, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
I think redneckGMworkders needs to get an education. When you misspell your name you a scraping the bottom of the intelligence barrel. You need to master grammar before you take on economics. Now please be quiet, the grown ups are talking.
By HuberTucky
August 20, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
Barry, you sound like the mean-spirited right wing illegitimate spawn of that black-hearted painful hemorrhoid fella who gets giddy reading his same old hateful words on this blog, day after day after day.
By FelixinKett1
August 20, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
can we not be civil and just blame Bush and Cheney for all our problems? we have some of the greatest leaders in the country right here in Dayton…Rhine McLin and the Mercedes driving Rolex wearing leaders of Dayton Public Schools are towering intellects who can surely get GM to stick around. Don’t forget the editorial board of the Dayton Democrat News. How about paid sick time for those working at Arby’s?
By redneckGMworkders
August 20, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
You idiot redneck workers need to retrain or GET OUT OF DAYTON, your era is dead along with your unskilled $26 an hour shootin dem screws job. Get a grip, we are in a world economy to compete we must use NAFTA and other trade plans or we will fail. Manufacturing in this country is pretty much dead, like I said retrain get a REAL education or just go away, America will be better off with one less redneck and their redneck children lol.
By Paul
August 20, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
The Volt doesn’t have a chance unless they can get it back down under 30k. The estimates right now put it anywhere from 40k - 48k, nobody is going to buy that thing for nearly $50. And now that Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi are all working on similar designs Chevrolet’s exclusive edge will be short lived.
If they expect a revival from the Volt they need to get it on the road soon, and get the price under $30k.
By Moraine Assembly Spouse
August 20, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this
Thanks to all the people whose response has been positive. The MORON’S that were negative about this new product, I hope you have to go through something like this one day. You do not have to be so cold. The only thing I can think is the commentors must of failed the GM testing to get on at the plant. Get a life you jerks!
By Paul
August 20, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Its sad how many people think that pollution and inefficient use of non-renewable (they’re called that for a reason) doesn’t have an effect on our environment. Perhaps the out of control gas prices, and disappearing crude oil will open some people’s eyes. The “Green movement” isn’t a gimmick, and if not for the environment why not for your wallet. Living efficiently has a common side effect of saving you money.
By Old Scratch
August 20, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this
This came from what… a democrat? Did he mention that in a couple years that China wants to start exporting cars here to compete with Japan? Union dues supported Bill Clinton who signed NAFTA and GATT. In an election year what else is a lying politician going to tell the rubes? The US car makers are toast. Dayton also known as “Little Detroit” should ask the last shop steward out the door to turn off the lights.
By Tom
August 20, 2008 6:29 AM | Link to this
generous you’re a morron building vehicles and desinging are two different things. Plus it shows you never worked at Moraine, it’s hard work. Maybe you tried getting on there, and because of your work record wasn’t that great at a nonunion job, GM said HELL NO think if he got in the union what he’d be like. HA HA HA HA HA HA!
By generous motos
August 20, 2008 5:39 AM | Link to this
Hard work on an assembly line? cmon if you think thats hard work you better stay on welfare, because working for gm is the next best thing to being on welfare for lazy people. You guys have built junk! Why do you think people buy jap cars..because they last 3x longer than a gm car.then you get mad at people who drive them.I hope you guys keep your jobs, but you better wise up.no more junk, and no more $45,000 vehicles.
By scott
August 20, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this
All the people that complain about the Union and the workers at the plant have not got a clue and just want to jump on the bandwagon of other negativity.
Just ask all the people who come in to the plant to work with the same attitude as you and then have to quit because they can not take the work.
The assembly line is very hard work.
The only reason that GM would close the plant is because of politics with the UAW not because of the workforce.
By jon
August 20, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
The”Green”movement is a general term. Green is more than saving pandas and rainforest.Green is also about conserving resources. I am simply saying that as fuel costs rise,electric cars and fuel cell cars will gain more popularity once available.I dont like paying $4 gas.You don’t have to be support green to understand that. I wish more people had an open mind to understanding the “green” movement,but eventually economics will win out.Once I don’t have to buy gas I can afford to buy more GM’s LOL
By Barry
August 19, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
(con’t) maybe the green movement is like jogging. it doesn’t matter how much you jog and you diet. you are still going to die (everyone does). you may improve your quality of life, or you could die in a ditch with hurting knees. you have just as much effect on global warming or cooling or whatever it is doing this decade
that out of my system I hope the cities in the miami valley can get a clue and work together to come up with an attractive package to keep GM in Dayton
By Barry
August 19, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
before you environmentalists get all in a huff, let me explain. I think climate change is more like a roller coaster then a race car. we are on a ride, but we do not drive the car. all the recycling of cans and bottles and things, all the carbon credit scams, all this will have an impact (somewhere around .00000000001 degrees F in the next decade) I would respect you more if you were using the logic that earth has a limited amount of resources and we have to make those last as long as we can
By Tim Simon
August 19, 2008 9:53 PM | Link to this
The Dayton RTA and the ATU have the same problem with its members. Chronic absenteeism followed by employees arbitrating their termination because they feel they shouldn’t have to live up the agreement they made with their employer to show up to work and EARN a paycheck and EARN health coverage.
By Tim Simon
August 19, 2008 9:48 PM | Link to this
There is about as much of a chance of Moraine keeping its GM operation as there is of Evangelical Christians tolerating homosexuality. For those who need a concrete number, that’s somewhere around 0.000000000006%. GM may pay less per hour for employees at Moraine, but it costs them more than Toyota when accounting for the money spent on workers with poor attendance. Those workers then file for arbitration because they feel they don’t deserve to be fired for not showing up to work.
By Barry
August 19, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
the green movement is hokey, what with the shabby science and the “carbon credit” scams. that contempt aside, after looking at it, the volt is kinda cool looking. I do agree with the idea that gm will look at keeping a plant here in Dayton if the local governments can get a clue and play “lets make a deal” and put together an attractive package. there is a large infrastructure of automotive support industries in the area that would help support a retooled plant for small car manufacture.
By john
August 19, 2008 8:00 PM | Link to this
Gm will continue to operate in Moraine for several reasons. 1.) The Moraine Plant has great infrastructure 2.) They have gotten rid of high pay hourly workers(which may have been there underlying goal) 3.)Ohio/Dayton is desperate for jobs, goverments will take it the rear to keep them here 4.)There is a large “Green” movement here in the USA (except in the midwest where most people think it’s hokey)therefore electric and fuel cell cars will be in very high demand.
By TruthNotPain
August 19, 2008 7:54 PM | Link to this
painful do you work for the GOP or what? The reality is that GM has made a lot of bad decisions about developing cars b/c they were content to make inefficient SUVs. Now we’re paying the price for it. Don’t blame the unions!
Maybe if Ohio would work to support some small businesses or fix its embarrassing education funding young people and families would stay and grow and contribute to making Dayton the innovation center it has been for generations
By Wife of worker
August 19, 2008 7:52 PM | Link to this
Moraine is making vehicles at $4.00 less an hour than any other car maker in the US including toyota. That puts them in a great barganing position.
By Mark
August 19, 2008 7:29 PM | Link to this
I knew GM would never close the Moraine Plant permanently. It’s just not going to happen. Sorry all you GM employee haters who are bitter because you couldn’t get a job there. The Moraine plant has always been one of GM’s best plants, winning many quality awards and bending over backwards to remain competitive.
By painfultruth
August 19, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
There’s a better chance all the laid off GM employees will win the lottery than have the Moraine plant remain open. Thank your friendly unions for saddling all the domestic manufacturers with unrealistic costs! And Jimmie, you are 100% correct about Strickland. He stinks!
By painfultruth
August 19, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
Karon is living in fantasy. Steetcars are not a practical form of transportation, despite the politically correct opinion. Wait until you live within a block of a streetcar system and have to listen to the rumble and feel your house shake every time a train passes. Don’t believe this? Go visit Shaker Heights, Portland, L.A, Chicago, on and on. Get a GRIP! They may be cute and trendy, but not practical for what remains of Dayton!
By karon
August 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
Before GM makes a slam dunk out of Moraine. Please tell GM to please put back our streetcars for the city of Dayton. GM paid to have those streetcars taken up in the 1950! The city of Dayton slowly declined because of this fatal mistake. Also GM plant can stay productive and make streetcars for Columbus and Cincinnati. Great story in the NEW YORK Times on last thursday about Cincinnati and Columbus bringing back those streetcars!
By Dave
August 19, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
For those that aren’t following GM’s new electric car (called the Volt), to land this product at Moraine could save Dayton:
See www.gm-volt.com
By Phil Man
August 19, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
There’s a slim-chance that I will date Holly Madison too.
By boro parent
August 19, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
The truth is Moraine has the second highest absentee rate in North American Operations and the highest grievance amount, two thorns in GM side. When Moraine was running 68 jobs per hour and had new hires working at $10/$11 bucks per hour they were a good deal. Not any more. No product. It a shame the good employees will suffer because of the bad.
By Moraine Worker
August 19, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
First of all it is untrue that as of right now there are 14 retirees per 1 active hourly worker. That is what GM would like to make happen if they were to get us to agree to take on retired Delphi, and several other unions. Hopefully our leadership would fight against this for us. Yes it is true that GM keeps themselves in a better bargaining position if they keep IUE. Right now we are the most competetive plant they have as far as wages/benefits/legacy costs.
By Jimmie
August 19, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Don’t you just love politicians like Strickland. On one hand, he falls all over himself to try and bring jobs back to Moraine - a worthwhile effort but a long shot at best. Meanwhile, he supports forcing employers to pay for mandatory sick days - a provision that says to Ohio businesses - “Please go elsewhere”.
By wife of worker
August 19, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
One thing to remember, GM likes keeping the IUE. They can play the IUE against the UAW in barganning.
By Jim 5
August 19, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this
I think there is a slim chance. Hats off to the pols for trying to help. “Slim” because Moraine is an IUE plant. It is hard for GM to work with that union. They have 14 retirees for every active worker. That’s not a union — its a country club. Likely that Moraine is one of the problem children GM would like to get rid of. Slim chance.
By Rick
August 19, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Short term: yes, its always nice to see some work coming into Dayton.
Long term: well you’re a moron if you are thinking that any manufacturing jobs are staying here in any large scale quantity.
This is a good thing, but it needs to be something that holds us over while our laborers find ways to shift their job focus (moving to skilled labor, vocational education, going back to school, etc…)