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Closing an Auto Plant: Toyota’s Side of the Story

N.Y. Times Letters to the Editor -- Toyota objects to the picture of the situation at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont, Calif., that Bob Herbert presents (“Workers Crushed by Toyota,” column, March 16).

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Submitted Mar 20, 2010 By: coughlin

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Author	Topic: Closing an Auto Plant: Toyota’s Side of the Story	Post a Reply Back to Topics

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BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:2,260 Points:575,335 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 12:06:21 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse It was a joint venture between Toyota and GM to produce the Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe. GM shut down the Pontiac brand, and Toyota didn't want to run the plant by itself. (Can't blame them--who in their right mind wants to run a plant in California when there are lower-tax right-to-work states?)
RocketmanC99 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,263 Points:441,155 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 12:03:22 PM Ignore RocketmanC99 Report Abuse Ok.
Mr.Dirt Champion Author Albany Posts:4,988 Points:1,784,415 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 12:02:09 PM Ignore Mr.Dirt Report Abuse they can care less about any thing in this country but keep the money coming profit first
MightyDude Champion Author Minnesota Posts:5,341 Points:1,673,370 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 12:01:38 PM Ignore MightyDude Report Abuse poor Toyota, I'm soooo sad :(
Sealer Champion Author Charleston Posts:5,653 Points:837,800 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:59:38 AM Ignore Sealer Report Abuse Why does Toyota get the blame for closing a plant after it's 50/50 partner, GM, pulled out?
NJColt Champion Author New Jersey Posts:7,845 Points:1,672,580 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:59:22 AM Ignore NJColt Report Abuse Close it overseas - KEEP AMERICAN JOBS!
Bert2010 Sophomore Author Columbus Posts:235 Points:105,565 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:59:19 AM Ignore Bert2010 Report Abuse jwduke1 is SO right!!!!!
BM4225 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:5,471 Points:1,176,360 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:58:48 AM Ignore BM4225 Report Abuse I guess it is cheaper to built somewhere else and ship the cars there, than build them there.
jwduke1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:11,320 Points:2,220,410 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:57:37 AM Ignore jwduke1 Report Abuse The only reason this is happening is because of the worthless UAW & the Obummer Administration!
BBHybrid Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:2,623 Points:528,455 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:55:24 AM Ignore BBHybrid Report Abuse close a foreign plant instead
methaneman All-Star Author Minnesota Posts:834 Points:795,810 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:55:07 AM Ignore methaneman Report Abuse I'll bet they could make a really good accelarator pedals there.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,083 Points:1,296,320 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:54:53 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse ttwiw wrote: >The plant closed for 2 reasons: >* GM didn't want to be associated with the Toyota >brand's safety issues GM made the closure decision well before the MSM got the idea to start dumping on Toyota. I'd suspect the "dump on Toyota" decision has a good bit in common with Toyota's decision that they would not run NUMMI alone and the UAW's response. Union brothers and sisters tend to hang out together. >* Toyota didn't want to be associated with Government >Motors They were for a while now, the joint venture was more than 25 years old.
nugney Rookie Author Atlanta Posts:85 Points:1,140,600 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:52:48 AM Ignore nugney Report Abuse I don't think Toyota has much right to object to how others react to the problem of their own doing.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,083 Points:1,296,320 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:49:01 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse Tnerbeel wrote: >So why doesn't Toyota turn this into an all Toyota plant? >They certainly have their own problems right now but are >better off without Obama Motors. Probably because they'd have to buy out GM's share of the plant. It was valued at a billion dollars a number of years ago.
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,733 Points:757,825 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:48:19 AM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse Toyota...get there fast and you don't need a brake!
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:8,809 Points:1,550,215 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:47:24 AM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse Hey Toyota, RUN, don't walk, as fast as you can from both California and any voluntary involement with Obama & Comrade Motors! It's a losing proposition either way.
nedthenanite Champion Author Mississippi Posts:4,055 Points:783,335 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:47:22 AM Ignore nedthenanite Report Abuse Hey Toyota, now that you're shedding that albatross in California, how about opening up that plant you built in Mississippi? It's just sitting there, doing nothing. Talk about a waste of money!
THEDodgeman Champion Author Denver Posts:3,063 Points:971,240 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:47:17 AM Ignore THEDodgeman Report Abuse LIES ,LIES AND MORE LIES.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:32,083 Points:1,296,320 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:46:50 AM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse fedex09 wrote: >Toyota dont care about american workers. Toyota bends over backward for the US workforce much more than an American company would do. When they got too many pickup trucks on hand, they sent their Texas workforce back to school and paid them for it.
Greg6901 All-Star Author Oakland Posts:576 Points:218,960 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:41:36 AM Ignore Greg6901 Report Abuse I live in the area and this just plan sux. So much for the economy. :(
Skipper52 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,546 Points:631,975 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:41:22 AM Ignore Skipper52 Report Abuse More useless politics....
impala2008 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:594 Points:214,030 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:40:15 AM Ignore impala2008 Report Abuse Toyota trying to get it's own back at the U.S
Tnerbeel Champion Author Houston Posts:3,747 Points:776,635 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:39:53 AM Ignore Tnerbeel Report Abuse So why doesn't Toyota turn this into an all Toyota plant? They certainly have their own problems right now but are better off without Obama Motors. [Edited by: Tnerbeel at 3/20/2010 11:40:10 AM EST]
Pucked Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:1,091 Points:210,780 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:39:48 AM Ignore Pucked Report Abuse Life is tough on all of us some times.
fedex09 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:605 Points:656,035 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:38:36 AM Ignore fedex09 Report Abuse Toyota dont care about american workers.
CptnCanada Champion Author Saskatoon Posts:2,753 Points:412,000 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:38:16 AM Ignore CptnCanada Report Abuse As we all are seeing right now Toyota is good at telling stories.
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,611 Points:657,505 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:34:39 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse Cry babies
Zakmeister All-Star Author Cleveland Posts:633 Points:209,145 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:33:04 AM Ignore Zakmeister Report Abuse Bad news for California.
cresovia Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,061 Points:668,140 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:30:19 AM Ignore cresovia Report Abuse The start of a downfall????
thirstyauto Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,154 Points:642,415 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:29:00 AM Ignore thirstyauto Report Abuse It seems to me that if you own a plant or whatever, you have the right to run it as you see fit. How many people like others telling them how to do their jobs???
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,615 Points:324,450 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:27:43 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse This business relationship between GM & Toyota was crafted in a day & time when the auto industry was in a different economic climate then it is today. The order of the day in the auto industry: Survival of the fittest. The only bad thing about the dissolution of this relationship is the loss of jobs that may result in the end.
dbatw Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,686 Points:341,165 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:27:33 AM Ignore dbatw Report Abuse as the public and press keep piling on Toyota, NUMMI will only be the beginning. Watch out, Georgetown, KY.
GoBlazers Champion Author Washington Posts:2,804 Points:400,210 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:26:57 AM Ignore GoBlazers Report Abuse Rebadged Toyotas were GM's only reliable vehicles.
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,936 Points:630,145 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:26:06 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Not good news for Toyota and the people that work there
rocket_ron Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,407 Points:1,039,890 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:24:09 AM Ignore rocket_ron Report Abuse Close Pontiac and loose the Vibe. Toyota can't keep the plant going only building the Matrix.
BNSF733 Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,487 Points:849,335 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:22:02 AM Ignore BNSF733 Report Abuse Not very good news..............
DieselKat Champion Author Tennessee Posts:1,715 Points:1,412,705 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:20:43 AM Ignore DieselKat Report Abuse Not good for auto workers.
goldilox88 Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,248 Points:623,605 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:19:17 AM Ignore goldilox88 Report Abuse Not great news.
PaylessKY Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,590 Points:665,355 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:18:32 AM Ignore PaylessKY Report Abuse I hope these and others find jobs soon.
BKool Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,013 Points:1,437,970 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:15:33 AM Ignore BKool Report Abuse The United States owes Japan over $600,000,000,000. Do you actually think Toyota has no recourse for being dragged in front of the compititian who now pose as Congress? The President's going to Asia to beg China and Japan to keep our nation afloat. If he fails, the dollar collapses, game over. I fear the grand standing chest beaters in Washington think the U.S. is not vulnerable. A fatal error in judgement. Toyota is just the tip of the economic tsunami about to hit California first and then wash over our debtor nation. The borrower is servant to the lender.
packards42 Champion Author Washington Posts:1,661 Points:303,355 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:15:00 AM Ignore packards42 Report Abuse Maybe the government can invest in Toyota and bail out the Fremont plant. at $5,000,000 per job saved. wait! we could give the workers 20% of that and they could retire; set for life.
arnerator Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,237 Points:654,960 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:14:58 AM Ignore arnerator Report Abuse Hate to see it...but it's their decision.
LocalSpyGuy Champion Author Tampa Posts:2,935 Points:613,370 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:12:24 AM Ignore LocalSpyGuy Report Abuse It's a business. Toyota should do whatever they think is in the best interest of Toyota, just like any other company in the U.S. or elsewhere.
MahopacJack Champion Author New York Posts:3,060 Points:720,275 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:08:21 AM Ignore MahopacJack Report Abuse YES, UMassLowell. Too bad it had to take a letter to the editor to get Toyota's side of the story. The New York Times should have sought it with their coverage of the printinted version.
no_monkey2002 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:3,783 Points:1,123,190 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:08:17 AM Ignore no_monkey2002 Report Abuse they can and will do what ever they want to do
Diesel_Ram Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,708 Points:554,975 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:07:09 AM Ignore Diesel_Ram Report Abuse If you read the story it makes perfect sense.
BWD Champion Author Charleston Posts:2,412 Points:1,617,885 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:06:47 AM Ignore BWD Report Abuse Just another day at the office.
UMassLowell Veteran Author Dayton Posts:425 Points:216,570 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:05:56 AM Ignore UMassLowell Report Abuse Does anyone really care what Toyota thinks?
grandmacbc Champion Author Buffalo Posts:1,733 Points:533,205 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 11:04:50 AM Ignore grandmacbc Report Abuse That's big business - and what American company hasn't done the same thing? Or worse yet moved it's plant out of the country???? If a company has a good product at a reasonable profit they stay. If not they close or move.
Eagle68 Sophomore Author Boston Posts:115 Points:1,167,165 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 9:45:36 AM Ignore Eagle68 Report Abuse Waaaah! Waaaah! Waaaah! Somebody's being mean to those nice Toyota people!
ttwiw Champion Author Austin Posts:1,984 Points:916,270 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 9:30:33 AM Ignore ttwiw Report Abuse The plant closed for 2 reasons: * GM didn't want to be associated with the Toyota brand's safety issues * Toyota didn't want to be associated with Government Motors
RedRam2005 Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,554 Points:602,575 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 20, 2010 9:28:54 AM Ignore RedRam2005 Report Abuse Why should Toyota be expected to keep a plant open when the other partner, Government Motors, stopped production? I think they were displaying good business sense to close a plant.