So, I replaced the upper control arm bushings in my 99' S-10

[snooper2]

Had to use standard and metric bolks talking front end apart- hub-etc.,

Finally get upper control arm off and while looking at it notice a sticker on the inside...





Made in Canada- I guess GM couldn't find an American company to provide this piece of steel eh?

[Warpy]

1. Do you know why things got outsourced to Canada?

GM doesn't have to pay for healthcare for the Canadian workers, that's why.

[Oregone]

5. The cost of CAW labor is more per hour than the cost of UAW labor

(health care figured in)

Fun fact.

[Winterblues]

8. How can you figure in Health Care costs when it is the people's taxes that pay for it?

I don't believe you. I can not imagine the costs of labor being higher in Canada. There is no Health Care costs in their labor. Did you also figure in the difference in value between the Canadian dollar and the American? Also how about Workman's Comp? Did you figure that cost in as well?

[Oregone]

9. Fine, don't believe me.

At par (when a lot of comparisons were being made), their labor costs $70-$80 dollars an hour. With an 80 cent exchange rate its a minimum of $56 dollars an hour. You can find more info at http://business.theglobeandmail.com/

And health care plans still have premiums. That figure includes health care, extended coverage, pensions, wages, and all other legacy costs.

Could it just be that the CAW is more aggressive than the UAW? Maybe they have more room to work?

Here is a recent article:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wrautos19/BNStory/Business/

Ottawa demands lower auto worker costs
To tap federal funds, GM, Chrysler must slash labour costs to U.S. levels – which means equalling Japanese competitors

"Some analysts have estimated Canadian workers could see wages and benefits cuts of $15 to $20 an hour.

These cuts are possible if the Detroit-based companies are forced to bring compensation in line with Japanese manufacturers. At a par dollar, Canadian unionized workers earn the equivalent of $67 (U.S.) in wages and benefits, but that drops to $53.60 (U.S.) when the loonie is trading at 80 cents (U.S.), according to the CAW.

American workers earn an average of about $58 an hour in wages and benefits, which is set to decline because the companies and the United Auto Workers agreed to a two-tier system with lower compensation for new workers.

Workers at Toyota's Kentucky plant earned about $49 an hour in wages and benefits, but the average may be even lower because several Japanese plants are located in low-wage states in the Deep South."

Just to let you know, that all figures in exchange. When I moved here 6 months ago the dollar was par, so its all fluid between contract concessions and exchange. But to summarize, their labor is not cheaper (often) and it would make no sense "outsourcing" for the sole sake of saving money. Canadian made cars are often sold in, well, Canada.

[flamin lib]

2. GM, Ford and Chrysler have all outsourced to Canada and

Mexico. Ford drive trains are made in Canada and all the electronics/wiring harnesses are made in Mexico. Detroit has become an assembly point, not so much a manufacturing point.

Still, it's better than having NOTHING put together here . . .

[Oregone]

6. Outsourced?

Look, the plants have been in Canada for decades and the cost of labor is in fact more. I don't think outsource is the particular term that is applicable with their Canadian operations. It is advantageous for them to produce here, merely because they don't have to pay import duties on domestically produced autos (this helps them gain and retain market share in Canada).

Yes, outsourced is appropriate term for Mexico. When you are shipping production to a place where the standard of living is low, in order to save money, the term outsource is appropriate. Why would the US outsource to a country with a higher standard of living?

[RB TexLa]

10. To some here, only Americans are worthy of having jobs.

[Statistical]

19. So what is the difference between

Ford = put things together in Detriot
Toyota = put things together in TN or AL?

[RB TexLa]

3. Why do you hate UAW? Why are you not buying a new truck? People like you are destroying

labor. Put COUNTRY FIRST!



:sarcasm:

[Oregone]

4. A lot of Canadian steel manufactured products are from American steel

The movement of materials is very fluid between the border. Sometimes it crosses 3 to 4 times or more before a finished product is produced.

[snooper2]

14. Why can't we have Americans processing the steel?

Instead of shipping it across the border, formed, then sold for more to GM?

[ProgressiveProfessor]

7. Then you really don't want to look at Harley Davidsons motorcycles

[XOKCowboy]

11. Shhhh Harley riders like to think their bikes are All American

Of course thanks to those foreign shocks, brakes, tires, etc. Harleys are better motorcycles than they used to be. They don't drip oil anymore, just seep a little.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

13. Don't forget wheels and electronics

[formercia]

12. Mine are rotting away too

I have a 99 S-10 and the frame is going as well. It has less than 40K miles, the body is cherry, but the frame looks like someone soaked it in acid. My father-in-law had the same problem. His failed inspection, even though the body was in great shape, the frame and steering gear was rotting away.
I guess GM wanted to make sure their trucks have a finite life span, regardless of mileage.

[Mopar151]

16. And so do Toyotas

Toyota has been buying back thousands of (IIRC) Tacoma pickups with potentially bad frames. Having a longer view, however, they are overpaying on the buybacks (125% of wholsale, no mileage deduct) to keep the customers.

[snooper2]

17. Have a link for that?

First I have heard and have been looking at new Tacoma's for some time

[Romulox]

18. ...

http://www.google.com/search?q=toyota+tacoma+recall&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[melm00se]

15. they did it in Canada

for cost.

the exchange rate in 1999 was pretty hefty, $1 US was worth in the $1.50CND range for most of the year.