Auto Industry problems

There has been a lot of finger pointing in the auto industry so I think it is time put in my 2 cents. First I believe that the unions and retiree benefits became a financial burden that the industry could not handle. Many assembly line workers were making in excess of $60 an hour including benefits. I am not against unions but there has to be a line in the sand where the company cannot afford what the unions are asking for, I know a lot of the time the companies are crying wolf but this was not the case of the auto industry. Also the health benefits for the retirees were killing them and this is the case in many areas where the retiree’s health benefits are covered by the company. The older retired are an expensive part of our health careTo many cars designs were directed by what the executives liked and not what the public wanted. Yes it worked for Ford and the Mustang but very little success since then. The advent of cup holders started the decline of the industry. After the Chrysler minivan to many interiors were designed around the cup holder. Cars of today are designed around the fridge, cell phone and cup holder Bluetooth and DVD. We need to recall the reason is to move us from place to place in relative comfort. The Nissan cube is available for under 10K after rebates and that is exactly what it does is move people from place to place. They call it a mobile device and that is what it is it will be interesting to see how it sells. The last nail in the coffin of the auto industry was quality and warranty repairs. The major items such as drive train they improved on, many used cars are in excess of 150K but all the accessories killed them. I remember the early 90 alternator from GM some wouldn’t make it around the block.The answer I don’t have but I do think they are on the right track the only problem I have is waiting to replace executives, in some cases next spring, when the boat starts to sink and the Captain caused it you don’t wait until it sinks to replace him to do it now in hopes of saving the boat.