Nine parts makers plead guilty to price-fixing scheme

[seabeckind]

3. I remember a time

when manufacturers, especially auto manuf, controlled their own parts supply. They controlled the design, production, and warehousing.

Lots of jobs doing those functions. American jobs.

Then the auto big shot managers shed those divisions.

Decided to go with low bidder. And of course made those newly shed parts divisions compete for the "contract". Of course they had to compete with foreign interests...ones that had a much cheaper labor force, didn't work real hard for high quality, saved lots of money...that they invested in the money business instead of the auto business.

The parts division shedding works for a while until the capability for alternatives has disappeared.

Then the low bidder is the only bidder.

Duh.