Optima Batteries...real good Americans.Huh?

[duece212 5,000+ posts]

Sounds good to me //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif
Do you think they have al queda in mexico?

el queda?

 

[97gp 5,000+ posts]

el queso?

 

[duece212 5,000+ posts]

el queso esta viejo y podrido

 

[SRim23 5,000+ posts]

are you going to have this same argument when ford starts manufacturing in mexico? i believe its set to happen pretty soon if i recall. unless something has changed, a few months ago i read it was a done deal.

oh, and please stop typing on your computer. i highly doubt it was made in the USA haha

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

are you going to have this same argument when ford starts manufacturing in mexico? i believe its set to happen pretty soon if i recall. unless something has changed, a few months ago i read it was a done deal.
oh, and please stop typing on your computer. i highly doubt it was made in the USA haha

You are so misinformed. Final assembly on the Fusion and Focus is done in Mexico. The main reason is because Ford sells those cars in South America. 65% of those cars are still made with American components.

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

Ford spending $550M to switch Michigan Assembly from trucks to small cars/EV
by John Neff on May 6th 2009 at 10:31AM

Ford has found a way to turn a lemon into lemonade. Its Michigan Truck Plant that formerly built the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator will be building something else entirely in the future: small cars and electric vehicles. Ford announced today it's investing $550 million in the plant to create a modern, efficient and flexible facility where the next-generation, North American version of the global Focus will be built, along with an all-electric version of the car. The next Focus will begin production here as soon as next year, while the EV version debuts in 2011. Ford's getting some help from state and local governments in the form of tax credits to switch the plant's purpose, but many are based on job retention targets that should mean all 3,200 people who work there now will continue to do so.

The plant, which will now be called just Michigan Assembly Plant, shall soon be joined by two more plants that are switching from producing trucks and SUVs to small cars. Cuautitlan Assembly in Mexico has been chosen to build the new North American version of the Fiesta subcompact and Louisville Assembly, once the producer of Super Duty trucks, will be given another vehicle to build based on the global Focus platform.

[source: Ford]

Ford is not moving all their manufacturing overseas. In a global market, you have to do some manufacturing overseas, but your statement of Ford moving their manufacturing to Mexico is false.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Many tools are but they do sell cheaper models exclusive at Kmart. Mostly the rolling tool boxes and mowers and snowblowers.
Factory work is not only physically demanding, but mentally demanding. You do the same thing over and over and over again. You can't just take a break when you feel like it and go on ca.com. You work until the whistle blows. You can't even stop to take a piss. After a while of this repetitive movement, your body breaks down, you develop arthritis and carpel tunnel but you must keep working through the pain. You can't stop and you can't slow down. Not too mention the heat, noise etc. That is challenging mentally, especially when you know you are doing this at least 8 hours a day, 5-7 days a week for 30 years. No most of them don't have a formal education, but they have more mental toughness than a lot of college grads. Not everyone can do that job so isn't the whole point of acquiring these "skills" to separate yourself?

I figured as much. However, it doesn't take that much intellect to screw in a bolt.

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

I figured as much. However, it doesn't take that much intellect to screw in a bolt.

So the only way to have a skill is to have intellect? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif The point of the conversation was too have skills that make them valuable. There are plenty of intellects who would not make it in a factory.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

So the only way to have a skill is to have intellect? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif The point of the conversation was too have skills that make them valuable. There are plenty of intellects who would not make it in a factory.

In a manner of speaking. It seems as if (and I am including my father in this one, as he does/did factory labor until he became disabled from it) factory workers typically do what they are told. More knowledge workers are presented issues and come up with solutions and how to execute them. That is how they remain valuable. Those with the skill to come up with creative solutions. The ability to withstand mental and physical stress isn't a skill IMO.

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

In a manner of speaking. It seems as if (and I am including my father in this one, as he does/did factory labor until he became disabled from it) factory workers typically do what they are told. More knowledge workers are presented issues and come up with solutions and how to execute them. That is how they remain valuable. Those with the skill to come up with creative solutions. The ability to withstand mental and physical stress isn't a skill IMO.

It is still something that a percentage of other people cannot do. Manufacturing is pretty clear cut. if the line breaks down you fix it and continue working. You don't call a conference, gather around a table, and discuss solutions. You fix the problem and continue. Why is mental toughness not a skill? Is it a trait? It has to be something because I know plenty of intellects who would not have the mental toughness nor physical endurance to spend their careers in a factory.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

It is still something that a percentage of other people cannot do. Manufacturing is pretty clear cut. if the line breaks down you fix it and continue working. You don't call a conference, gather around a table, and discuss solutions. You fix the problem and continue. Why is mental toughness not a skill? Is it a trait? It has to be something because I know plenty of intellects who would not have the mental toughness nor physical endurance to spend their careers in a factory.

I would call it a trait. You can't really teach mental toughness. I am not saying it's not intrinsically valueable. It's easy to measure how valuable I am by productivity. It's more difficult to measure factory workers as they are homogenous.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

There is also something to be said about the American factory worker. They are far more productive than their foreign counterparts. Hispanics work for a while and quit. Americans will stay at a job 30 years screwing in bolts.

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

I would call it a trait. You can't really teach mental toughness. I am not saying it's not intrinsically valueable. It's easy to measure how valuable I am by productivity. It's more difficult to measure factory workers as they are homogenous.

What do you mean you can't measure a factory worker? Their productivity is all in their quotas.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

What do you mean you can't measure a factory worker? Their productivity is all in their quotas.

Individually? Or as a group. I was under the impression that the line didn't stop. I was always curious what happens if the bolt didn't screw in within the allotted time.

 

[Lugnutz 10+ year member]

Individually? Or as a group. I was under the impression that the line didn't stop. I was always curious what happens if the bolt didn't screw in within the allotted time.

You get fired. My dad towards the end worked at a parts plant for Ford so he had a quota. If you cannot keep up with the line then you are gone. It's not as simple as just sitting around waiting, screw in one bolt, than wait. My dad in the begining worled at Wixom in the 70's doing the radiators on the F150's. he had to pick up the radiator and shroud without the assistance of any machines or lifts, set in the truck and line it up, bolt it in, hook up the hoses, and as soon as he was done, he had to grab the next radiator. Not even time to wipe the sweat off your forehead.