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Detroit's Pain Could Be South's Gain

The South is home to eight foreign auto plants and more are on the way

By Jim O'Neill, Newser User

Posted Nov 20, 2008 8:32 AM CST

(Newser) – Is Greer, SC, the new Motor City? With execs from the Big Three getting a frosty reception to their efforts to wrest $25 billion from the federal government to stay solvent, the home of BMW’s North American operations—as well as other Southern communities that are home to foreign car factories—could rise as Detroit slips, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Looser work rules, a generally non-union workforce, and more modern production facilities that make it easier to retool and downsize have allowed foreign automakers to more easily adjust to changing market conditions. "If the American car companies died, this is what would replace them," one auto industry consultant tells the Journal. Foreign makers currently operate eight plants in the South with more on the way.

Production team member Phillip Hicks installs a door on a Toyota Camry on the assembly line at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant in Georgetown, Ky. (AP Photo/ James Crisp)

Dee Boutharaph, left, and Roger Myers prepare to install a windshield on a Nissan Altima on the assembly line at the Nissan manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Russell, file)

Production team member Jeff Brangers works on the under carriage of a Toyota Solara convertible on the assembly line at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant in Georgetown, Ky. (AP Photo/ James Crisp)

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Detroit's Pain Could Be South's Gain

The South is home to eight foreign auto plants and more are on the way

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Detroit's Pain Could Be South's Gain

The South is home to eight foreign auto plants and more are on the way

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Toyota • Detroit • Hyundai • auto industry • financial crisis • Mercedes-Benz

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Saturn: GM's Biggest Mistake

Brand was an unsustainable distraction from the start

Why Asian Automakers Don't Want Detroit to Fail

Big Three bankruptcy would disrupt supply chain, further sour US economy

Ford Sales, Off 34%, Key Ugly US Autos Report

Nissan down 37%; Toyota sees 32% drop; GM fares better, but still 16% lower

Car Sales Jumped 14% Last Month

Chrysler, VW saw huge gains

US Automakers See Sales Increase in May

Ford, GM have best month of 2009

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Newser By Users

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What is Newser?