Asian Automakers "Perceived" to be Winning

Honda gets closer to picking site for plant (Detroit Free Press)

There's also an article in today's WSJ about Honda's growth plans. It also talks about more job cuts announced by GM in the UK. The WSJ (probably channeling a stock analyst) says there is a “perception among consumers that the momentum is with the Japanese.” Oh really? It's often said “perception is reality”, but in this case the perception is true. The “Asian” manufacturers (global companies, really) are growing and adding jobs while the “American” global automakers are hurting and shrinking.

That's not just perceived, it's true.

There's a related WSJ article about UAW folks in Lordstown (click here for free version) OH considering the buyout offers from GM.

250 workers have already accepted the offer, while some are staying, placing their bets that their high-paying jobs (or at least some of them) will still be around.

“Some are betting that GM will bounce back, and they'll be glad they kept their jobs. David Green, 36, has worked at the Lordstown plant for 11 years, making him eligible for a $140,000 buyout. He considered leaving the auto maker, where his father, mother, uncle, father-in-law and wife have all worked. But he and his wife, who now works part-time as an elementary-school teacher's aide, eventually decided the money would be gobbled up by taxes and other expenses, like health-care bills.

Mr. Green, who has two young daughters, makes $27 an hour in a group that builds 450 rear car doors a day. “I think GM will be around, it will just be smaller,” he says. “Toyota won't own everything, right?””