alphainventions

This just in……

Ford announces a $1 BILLION Q3 profit, right after the CAW voted to make concessions to help out the company.  Here is a company that made $1Billion in one quarter of the year, can’t help out the consumers with leaky windows and then gets the CAW to cut back.

Now, this is even better than the Nazi history in Ford.  Instead of using slave labour, like it did in WW II, it just shafts the consumer with poorly built products, doesn’t do recalls on potentially dangerous manufacturing errors and then to top it off, gets the CAW to cut back on its demands.

Talk about cojones…. the executives must all be bowlegged with their sets.  And, they wonder why workers and consumers get pissed off and move on.

Hey, Toyota, I questioned you joining the CAW in the last blog.  You really want to join this kind of outfit and get involved in this type of business.

Hope not.

alphainventions

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us

alphainventions

I see where Ford and the CAW have come to an agreement and concessions were made.  At least the union woke up and smelled the coffee but aren’t happy about the rollbacks – but then who is?

But what bothers me is the up to $100,000 settlements for those being laid off and the vehicle vouchers.  Who the hell pays for that?  Probably the consumer who will have to pay the bill through charges to the vehicles they buy – vehicles which have leaky windows, blowing spark plugs and burning speed controls.

Why are we rewarding these guys with so much money when they can’t build a decent vehicle?  And, don’t even help those consumers shafted with vehicles like that mentioned in my last blog.

And Toyota, I hear is thinking of joining the CAW.  Wake up guys.  You will have to start paying dues and look what happened to the CAW workers in St. Thomas – no work.  Yeah, they are getting big packages but at the cost to the consumer who not only pays for these packages but also pays to repair poorly built vehicles.  You want to be part of that crowd?

At least at Toyota you are doing the right thing.  Just think – join the union and get the big deductions off your new salary.  I saw one group join a union and they made less per week due to the union dues and their company lost the contract to another company who gave all the old workers a 50 cent raise right off the bat. Hmmmm.  Oh, did I mention the new company was non-union?

And, if you join the CAW, will all those CAW workers who are now laid off get an advantage at your plant and claim seniority and get your job?  Just a thought.  I saw guys at GM losing their job at one plant and claiming seniority and moving to another plant and some poor guy got dumped.

So Toyota, you can join the CAW, which are losing members and jobs and help pay the union executives their large salaries and benefits and build sub-standard vehicles or, keep working at Toyota and produce vehicles with some pride in workmanship and know you still have a job. 

Your choice.

alphainventions

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us

alphainventions

I haven’t really been spending much time on this blog.  Why?  I guess the realization that Ford continues its Nazi type thinking and the chances of Ford doing anything for the consumer is next to nil so I spend my time more productively elsewhere – like scratching that itch on my butt.  Kind of like the CAW/UAW workers that put our F150 together with the faulty window – their minds must have been elsewhere.

Anyways, I received the following letter which only shows there are others out there suffering the same crap from Ford.  You’ll notice the fact the wipers don’t work in the rain - kind of a safety issue in my book but I guess not much in Ford’s mind.  I guess at Ford – “Safety isn’t No. 1″.

Well, here is the letter and I have dropped the person’s name for their own safety – don’t need some Ford guy getting upset at this woman and maybe offering to repair her damages.  Yeah, right.

alphainventions

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us

In the business section of today’s Toronto Star, I read very disappointing news. After years of screwing the auto industry with overzealous labour demands and eventually costing the Canadian taxpayer millions and in a world of reducing labour force, the CAW is trying to get Toyota workers to come over to the dark side.

Lets face it – the CAW paying membership is being reduced on a steady basis as plants close, shifts are reduced and production moved out of Canada and, in order to support the lifestyle they have gotten used to, they are trying to get Toyota workers to get on board a union.  Hey, if it wasn’t for the taxpayer bailout, the union auto industry would be sucking lemons right now.  Your non-union plant has been doing great.

They say it is because Toyota has scheduled extra production, reduced some paid holidays and increased daily production. Wake up Toyota worker – this is what the UAW has agreed to in the US to get production rolling and the CAWhas also make concessions.

In order to protect your company, these things had to be done but it seems that the CAW wants to bring you guys down to the lowest common dominator.  I’d tell you stories but I think it is common knowledge – union = protection of worst worker. 

It was a union plant that built my F150 with the leaky window and this so-called voice of the people, the CAW didn’t help me, even though it was one of their guys who made the mistake.  So much for responsibility and accountability.  Their guy made the mistake but they tell me it’s Ford’s problem.  Each pass the buck and nothing gets done.

So, Toyota it is up to you.  You’ve got good workers and maybe they need something to help out.  But, you Toyota worker have a responsibility as well to put out a quality product and work towards making sure you are competitive. 

Unless of course, you want to join the CAW/UAW union method of sucking on the taxpayer’s tit for help.  Nothing like union welfare.

Ford has announced another recall on their infamous speed control switches.  Reported at MSN Autos, the following was stated:

“All new recalls are from model years 1992 to 2003, and, it should be noted, no fires have been reported. The measure is a preventive one to stem “possible ongoing customer lack of confidence in vehicles with the switch,” a Ford representative said.) The Texas Instrument-made switches may leak, overheat, smoke and burn. “

You’ll note that no fires have been reported and a “possible ongoing customer lack of confidence” has led to this latest recall.  So much for those of us who suffered thousands of dollars of repairs to our vehicles due to a leaky front window and the fact that the failing electronics could cause an accident.  Guess if a few Fords burn up you get action. 

All I know is that I’m telling everyone I know about my problems and I intend to buy Toyota for my next truck.  At least they are honest and do the recalls on all their problems and don’t pick and choose like Ford.  After learning about Ford’s work during WW II and how they supported the Nazis, why on earth would I support a company like that.  I kind of wonder why the CAW and UAW support a company with that history.  Lot of union boys got killed fighting against Ford vehicles.

Recently, Lexus and Toyota ordered a recall on 55,000 floor mats.  Seems that if the owner of the vehicle does not properly hook up the supplied door mats or, adds another floor mat to the driver’s side, there is a possibility they will slide forward and lodge under the accelerator, thus causing the vehicle to accelerate uncontrollably.

Now, two points here are important.  One is that Toyota is doing this recall at no cost to the public, and the problem was not caused by Toyota but by owners who either took the mats off the provided safety hooks or, added a second mat which was not properly hooked.

And we should note the following from Consumer’s Report:

“Although this recall affected Toyota and Lexus vehicles, improper mat usage can pose risks in any vehicle. When installing factory or aftermarket mats, follow the directions. If your vehicle has them, utilize the mat anchors; they provide a real safety benefit of keeping the mats secure and out of the way of the pedals. And do not stack a new mat on the old one. The combined height of the two mats or a loose upper mat may interfere with pedal operation.”

Yes folks, Toyota realises there is a POTENTIAL problem caused by the owners and is making alterations to minimize this owner initiated problem.  A problem that can occur in any vehicle.

Now Ford, on the other hand, builds F150 trucks with a leaky front window that can fry the electronics and potentially cause a vehicle to go out of control.  Do they say anything?  No, they keep repairing the electronics and don’t even notify the owners of this problem, let alone have a recall.

ETHICS!!!

Toyota takes the high road and minimizes the risk to the owner while Ford hides the problem and doesn’t even come clean with the owners and repair the damage – window, electronics, nada.

But then, what do you expect from a company that not only built machinery for the Allies but also helped out the Nazis in Germany with Ford plants and then sued the American government for bomb damage to their Nazi plants.

And we still support Ford by buying a product that could be built wrong but Ford won’t do anything about it.  Maybe if there was a death or two that results in law suits.  Seems their ethic level only responds to lawyers.  Both at the same low level.

alphainventions

In today’s Toronto Star, in the business section, the title reads: “Once-dominant GM left eating dust”. They also mention that Ford is no longer in the top 5  North American automakers.  They noted that GM,Ford and Chrysler still dominate the truck market, as would be expected.  But, I think people have found out how shallow Ford is, at least in terms of backing up their product.  They still refuse to discuss the fact they built F150’s with leaky front windows that cost us consumers thousands.

And the end result?  In the last decade Ford,GM and Chrysler have dropped from 80% of the market share to around 60%.  This is in the truck/SUV and mini-van market.  I think people found out that in Ford, Quality isn’t number 1 nor are they now built Ford Tough.

In trucks, Ford has dropped from 16% market share to 12.75.  Toyota – holds at 14.4%, up from 8.8%.  It apears that their honesty and recalls are having the right affect.  People want quality and understand nothing is perfect.  But, a company that tries to make things right – you’re going to buy from them instead of a company like Ford who makes money selling you products to repair your F150 with the built in leaky window.  And they don’t even warn you about it.

The consumer is talking Ford – maybe instead of counting your executive bonuses and billionaire welfare, you should be listening to those who pay your wages – the consumer.

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us

alphainventions

alphainventions

In the August 5th Toronto Star (the one who knows the Ford problem but won’t say) there is a headline “Ford holding lead as GM sputters”. They show that the Ford sales in July were + 47.4% while GM is – 41.9%.

Now, I was not a supporter of the welfare payment to the auto industry and executives and must admit that at least Ford didn’t beg for government money. No, they have a more effective strategy.

They build vehicles with quality issues (save money?) and then make money in repairing these vehicles they build with the built in errors. They don’t inform the consumer that the vehicle has a fault that will cost the owner thousands of dollars and put their lives at risk – no, that is too ethical.

Remember we are talking a company that supported the Nazi’s in WW2 and used slave labour and then sued the U.S. government for damaging their Third Reich auto plants. Real Americans!!!!  Hmmm. 

So, you can go out and support a company that shafts the consumer, has had Nazi leanings in their internal politics, sold vehicles to the Nazis and sues their own government or, you can support welfare executives at the other big two.  Since we lent them the money, I’d be more inclined to support them to ensure they don’t fault on the loans – not sure if they are as unethical as Ford has proven to be.

Me, I’d be more apt to buy a Toyota.  Yeah, they had a war with us but at least they are honourable and will stand by their vehicle with recalls when necessary.  Ford – shafts you, Toyota helps you.  No brainer here unless your one of the suckers born every minute.

And the CAW – they are working for a company whose owner was pro-Nazi and was anti-semitic and sells vehicles with built-in quality control issues. What does that make their politics?

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us

alphainventions

alphainventions

In the Toronto Star (the one who won’t print the truth about the F150) today, there was a small article titled: GM to accept ‘lemon’ claims”. Seems that our ailing GM will accept future product liability claims, which will allow it to move on with its financial packages.

Now, I know there was some pressure for them to do so but, here we have an auto manufacturer on the ropes and they are going to protect the consumer from lemons. Unlike Ford, who won’t do a thing about the leaky windows (except not notify owners and make them pay for repairs to burnt out electronics). Myself, I am tending towards a Toyota truck (at least they are honest on recalls) but I have to give GM kudos for doing this. At least one manufacturer is seeing the downside to shafting the consumer. At some point in time, those in support of Ford will see how bigoted Ford is towards those of us stuck with a Ford lemon. Thank god old Henry isn’t around, otherwise he’d have me picked up and shoved into one of his forced labour mills, like in WW II Germany.

But I must admit I had my chuckle last week when Ford put out an ad in the the less than ethical Toronto Star. The ad shows a lot of 0 percent items for the latest Ford and states: “THIS SPRING, KEEP YOUR MONEY”. Based on mine and the experience of others, yes you might save money up front but you can expect to pay through the nose on fixing things like leaky windows and burnt out electronics, as well as blown spark plugs and leaky rear windows. Thank god they will let you save money this spring so you can support them in the fall with the bills.

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us

alphainventions

alphainventions

I read an article in the Toronto Star today regarding them not accepting an award from the John Howard Society.  For those of you who don’t know, the John Howard Society tries to reintegrate criminals back into society by giving them a support network.  The offered their “Crime and Punishment” award to the Star for an investigative piece they did.  The Star refused because they might have to investigate the John Howard Society.  If you’ve read my blog, you can see why I wonder about the double standard they seem to ignore.  Just goes to show that money conquers all ethics.

Below is my letter to the editor:

“Winning isn’t everything at Star”, so stated Kathy English.  So is investigative reporting, based on what I have observed.  In not accepting an award from a very worthwhile organization, The John Howard Society, the Star team stated: “We obviously can’t be accepting awards from groups we might end up covering”.  If you knew my background you would probably be surprised to see me defending The John Howard Society. 

Based on your statement, I wonder why you accept advertising from various companies unless, you don’t investigate advertisers and focus your investigative reporting on those without a financial interest in your paper. 

For instance, you are aware of Ford building F150’s with a leaky front window and not telling the consumer.  As a result, the consumer is faced with thousands of dollars of repairs that could have been avoided if Ford’s ethics were a little higher.  If you knew that the police were aware of certain information and didn’t act, you’d be on them like white on rice.  Oh, I forgot, you did a story on Jane Doe. Hmmm, but then the police aren’t advertisers.

Below English’s column was a piece by Governor General Michaelle Jean on “Journalism’s vital role in society”.  I recommend your team read it.  She reflected on “the example set by those journalists who pursued the truth, often risking their lives to do so”, and noted, “information in the service of truth won over inaction every time.”  I guess you don’t believe in this in regards to advertisers like Ford. 

Sorry, but your team is obviously biased.  Too bad, that award would have looked nice up on your wall, along with the advertising copy.

alphainventions

http://condron.us/index.php?i=6
condron.us