posted May 23, 2009
I found it sad that the local UAW officials selected Bob Corker to be their scapegoat for the (potential – let's pray it is not the case) closing of the Spring Hill Saturn plant (where the Vue is made).
Senator Corker answered the UAW’s accusations as mere politics by the UAW.
After a little research at Consumer Reports, perhaps I can help enlighten the UAW officials to the real calamity of Saturn (if not all of the GM vehicles). A comparison of older-model Saturn vehicles to those of Honda vehicles demonstrates quite accurately what I think most Americans know as fact. A ’00 and ’04 Aura (manufactured in Kansas) has a “worse than average rating” for reliability. The value of those Saturn automobiles today are (on average) $3,773 and $6,717. The ’00 and ’04 Accord has a “much better than average” rating for reliability. The value of those Hondas automobiles today are (on average) $4,610 and $9,215.
Blame should be placed where it is deserved. Americans purchased better-made vehicle that maintained a higher degree of their value and reliability. Sales of the “Big Three” continued to decline where imports continued to increase. Now during a recession poor management, planning and costing shows its disastrous effects.
To blame Sen. Corker for the closing of the Saturn plant in Spring Hill is disingenuous at best.
Tom McNeill
Signal Mountain
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I find it sad that there are people who claim to research the Internet for facts about a product, and then just believe whatever they want or what is convenient. And they are still free to spout whatever they want in "opinion columns."
The Saturn Vue was moved to a GM plant in Mexico after the 2007 model year. Those workers at Spring Hill make the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse, which has won many awards for Quality and Satisfaction. The Vue is now designed by German engineering, Opel, and as proof, just go to www.opel.de. It is called an Opel Antara in Europe.
As for blaming Senator Corker for the political games he plays, he lured Volkswagen to Chattanooga with taxpayers' money, but what he's doing for the workers in Middle Tennessee will be devastating. It is known that for every auto worker, you will need six others employed to support that one. It is called the "butcher, baker, candlestick maker" effect. That goes from restaurants, doctors, police, fire, shops, repair facilities, etc., etc., etc.
If and when Spring Hill shuts down, those 3,000 workers will in effect cost the jobs of nearly 18,000 people in the community.
George Estrada
Franklin, Tn.
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Mr. McNeill compared the resale values and reliability factors of a 2000 and 2004 Aura made in Kansas to a Honda Accord manufactured in 2000 and 2004. The opinion writing also stated that the Saturn Vue is made at the Spring Hill facility.
I would like to just add a few corrections to Mr. McNeill’s statements. The Spring Hill facility presently produces the Chevy Traverse,
which is a well-designed, reliable and a well-liked vehicle. My daughter bought one and loves it. The Aura was not produced in Fairfax, Kan/, until 2006. Actually the Saturn Aura was a Concept Vehicle at the 2005 North American Auto Show. The Fairfax, Kan., facility builds the Malibu and Aura. The Buick Lacrosse is to be manufactured there also. The Aura and Malibu have received many awards for their products, which demonstrates the ability of the workforce.
Are there reliability or/and quality issues? There were many in the past, but the GM vehicles now are comparable to any on the road if not better. The U.S.-based manufacturers [Ford, Chrysler] have very good products that compete on every level. I’ve owned domestic and foreign brands and I will say for certain that I haven’t seen any differences in reliability and quality and that GM has the best interior design.
Is it fair to blame Senator Corker if GM closes Saturn of Spring Hill? I’d say no, but Senator Corker made some demands that weren’t thought carefully through. Demanding massive wage cuts of GM’s workforce would have created great pains on GM’s workforce and in turn caused a backlash on the autoworkers employed by the foreign transplants. It is common knowledge that the Southern Automotive Plants pay their employee comparable to the wages of domestic automotive worker to keep unions at bay. Wages have been reduce at GM, Ford and Chrysler and you are beginning to see a reduction in wages at Toyota, Honda, Kia and others because of it. Anyone who has worked in a manufacturing facility knows it is not easy and safe work. Employees of GM, Ford and Chrysler are the best trained in North America and given the opportunity, they build the best.
It will be a mistake for GM to close the Saturn plant for it is new, has a great workforce, it is in a great state and with VW building a new plant near Chattanooga, a GM presence in the South can’t hurt.
Richard Ott
Lansing, Mich.
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