[DkknightX]

Originally Posted by Number 3

40 years? Maybe not that long. That, at least for me is dabatable. I look at the real slide as 82 when there were 4 A-bodies, 5 J-bodies and 2 F-bodies all sharing exact or similar sheetmetal. Then in 85, you had the downsizing of the Toronado, Eldorado and Riviera to nearly N-body size and shape. Yes, there were some precursors to that, but that was the begining of the product slide. Keep in mind in the late 70's, GM still had a very credible mid-size car portfolio. IMO

It's tough to understand unless you've lived in Michigan. Having a job at GM, Ford or Chrysler is looked at the top tier. It would be like playing for a Major league team and then they may be at risk so you decide you'll just jump down to AAA ball. You don't just go look for another job because things look risky and tenuous. Even with the hack to our pensions, elimination of health care post 65 there isn't really a better place to work in our state. Going to a supplier has always looked at as a subserviant job. You would now have two bosses basically, your company and one of the OEMs. Yes there is a little bit of movement BETWEEN OEMs, but it doesn't happen often. So looking out for yourself just doesn't apply. You still have some pension so jumping to a company with little or no pension is a choice for the kids that hired in after 2001. They have no defined pension or benefits. So for them to move is likely. Just haven't hired too many that age lately.

Your point is well taken, it just doesn't apply when you can't slide over to an equal job. You wouldn't go take less pay and benefits just in case you could lose your job. And in Michigan, the job market has been much worse than the rest of the country for many years now, so any real opportunities required relocation.



That would be the same Clarkson that couldn't say enough good things about the CTS-V when they came over and drove the CTS-V, ZR-1 and the Challenger. And oh, in case you havn't noticed, he is always bashing anything American. I find him amusing most of the time, but need to keep a grain of salt handy. LOL

And I am really curious as to what you base the Gen 5 sheetmetal not being up to snuff. The gap and flushness of the panels is so far superior to a Gen 4 it just isn't even close.

Not the fit of the paneling. It looks much cleaner and sleeker than the Gen 4, but I'll tell you when my mother backed into my door when it was wide open, it didn't bend like twisted metal. I could actually see what appeared to be fiberglass particles mixed in with the metal. It was actually pretty amazing to watch. If that was my Gen 5 , it feels like it would just fold up like a tin can, in theory mind you. Thank you for replying #3. You really are a stand-up guy and know a lot about your field. I mean that. No sarcasm.