Big Three fine-tune aid pitch

[Bozita]

Source: Detroit News

Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Big Three fine-tune aid pitch
Executive pay cuts, better fuel economy high on list; UAW concessions are possible
David Shepardson / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- Detroit's Big Three automakers worked furiously behind the scenes Tuesday to craft beefed-up restructuring plans that outline more cost cuts and other tough measures to convince Congress to approve a $25 billion bailout.

The plans will detail efforts to slash expenses, cut executive pay and improve vehicle fuel-efficiency. They also could include new sacrifices from hourly union workers and holders of the automakers' more than $100 billion in combined corporate debt.

Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. told NPR on Tuesday that the company's board of directors is reviewing CEO Alan Mulally's compensation.

"We're talking to Alan about it," Ford Jr. said. "We are very sensitive to public opinion and that's something we're on top of."

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081126/AUTO01/811260378/&imw=Y

[Tempest]

1. One thing that would help

Is if they collectively handed in their resignations.

[saigon68]

11. They should bring the Prez of Citigroup Goldman Sachs AIG along

That by itself would guarantee success.

[sarcasmo]

2. Ford, sell the Lions, that would save a lot of money and maybe Mr. Illitch could buy them and put a

Good product on the field.

[tclambert]

12. His dad owns the Lions. Senior not Junior.

But I echo your sentiments. Bill, Sr.'s rebuilding plan for the Lions, now in its 51st year, doesn't seem to be going all that well.

[liberal N proud]

3. I bet the sacrifices from hourly union workers will be the lions share

of the efforts these thugs will propose.

I hope Congress sees through that and asks why the guy making $15 -$20 hour needs to cut when the guy making $27 Million/year still seem to be making a huge pile of cash.

[htuttle]

4. "...Plus, we'll throw in the undercoating package and extended warranty for half price!"

[Romulox]

5. The best way for Big3 to get a bailout: get a Saudi Prince as your primary shareholder. nt

[msongs]

6. sell GM to Toyota and Ford to Nissan. nt

[Romulox]

7. Unions are not welcome at either Toyota or Nissan. nt

[Phred42]

8. How about - It's a matter Of National Security?

and since these idiots have run their companies into the ground, they should be fired and maybe in jail

[Ian David]

9. Are they going to try and sell us the undercoating? n/t

[ksimons]

10. a tune-up, how appropriate

hate to say it, but whatever they come back with is going to be lip service. they'll say anything to get the money.

[tclambert]

13. They have been making the changes regarding better products, especially high mpg cars

and hybrids. The groups who work on those projects have been extremely busy, and the engineering consulting shops that basically sell innovation are growing. But the post-Katrina products don't hit the showrooms for another year or two. And BTW, the hybrids they are working on are far superior to the Prius. Toyota did it all wrong. The car engineers I know are absolutely disdainful of the Prius.