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Bailed-Out GM to Take More Jobs Overseas

Cars sold here, built elsewhere to double amid taxpayer support

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 8, 2009 6:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – General Motors is set to boost its overseas operations, nearly doubling the number of cars it builds outside the US but sells here—even though billions of government dollars are supporting the firm and its restructuring plans, the Washington Post reports. This puts the Obama administration in a tight position: Does it push GM to keep jobs in the US, thus increasing labor costs, or does it allow the firm to send jobs abroad—a potential political nightmare?

The dilemma “raises fundamental questions about the purpose of bailing out these big companies,” says former labor secretary Robert Reich. “If GM is going to do more of its production overseas, then why exactly are we saving GM?” The percentage of cars sold domestically and built in Mexico, China, and South Korea is set to rise from 15% to 23% by 2014, according to a company report shown to lawmakers.

In this April 21, 2009 file photo, General Motors world headquarters is shown in Detroit.
In this April 21, 2009 file photo, General Motors world headquarters is shown in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
An auto transport worker loads a General Motors Buick Lucerne for transport at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly in Hamtramck, Mich. But will he lose his job to a foreign worker?
An auto transport worker loads a General Motors Buick Lucerne for transport at the Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly in Hamtramck, Mich. But will he lose his job to a foreign worker?   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
General Motors President and CEO Fritz Henderson addresses the companies viability plan in Detroit, in this April 27, 2009 file photo.
General Motors President and CEO Fritz Henderson addresses the companies viability plan in Detroit, in this April 27, 2009 file photo.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
In this May 5, 2009 file photo, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson, right, walks into a meeting room after speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.
In this May 5, 2009 file photo, General Motors CEO Fritz Henderson, right, walks into a meeting room after speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, file)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
Robert_Dada
May 8, 2009 7:41 AM CDT
Gee it had absolutely nothing to do with short sighted senior leadership refusing to address the needs for greater fuel efficiency, quality standards and next generation technology did it. It was short sighted executive management that painted themselves into this corner. "Gee let's big real big SUV's cuz gas is cheap and we can advertise to dumb Americans on how much they need to own one". Ass clowns.
AllisonMW
May 8, 2009 3:11 AM CDT
Well, isn't that something...I don't know much about unions (never worked in a company that belonged to one), but I'm starting to wonder if they do more harm than good...
ClingingToHope
May 8, 2009 2:47 AM CDT
No one makes the right moves 100% of the time, except Chairman Barry of course (LOL). But if my boss came to me and said, "We need to downsize. Would you take a pay cut to keep your job?" I would say, yes in these times. United (whatever) Workers don't do that. That's why manufacturing jobs go overseas.

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