Hyundai, Alabama to make investment announcement

[The Northerner]

DETROIT (Reuters) – Hyundai Motor Co and the state of Alabama will announce on Monday "additional investment in the existing infrastructure" at its auto assembly plant near Montgomery, the company said on Sunday.

A Hyundai spokesman, Robert Burns, declined to give specifics of the announcement that will be made at the Alabama capitol building in Montgomery, the state capital.

The announcement comes as Hyundai's U.S. sales are booming. The Korean company is the fastest growing major automaker in the U.S. market. Its sales rose 31 percent in the first four months of 2011 for a model lineup laden with fuel-efficient small cars as consumers seek vehicles that can help overcome gasoline prices that have risen above $4 per gallon over much of the United States.

Hyundai's U.S. chief executive, John Krafcik, earlier this year said the automaker's U.S. sales will be constrained by limits to its current production, but has not commented on any plans to expand the company's U.S. production.

Sources told Reuters that Hyundai in recent months has spoken at least informally with at least three U.S. states including Alabama about plans for a second plant in the U.S. Southeast. Officials in South Carolina and Mississippi expressed interest in luring the Korean automaker to place new production in those states.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110515/us_nm/us_hyundai_alabama

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

1. Can't make them fast enough...

I feel like an idiot for not having looked at the Sonata when I bought my Honda Accord.

[Initech]

2. The Sonata is a very nice car.

I looked at the hybrid model but it doesn't have a trunk. So I'm going with the Ford Fusion instead.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

17. It really wasn't on my radar until I bought my Hyundai Accent

When I cash-for-clunkered my girlfriends old Ford Bronco when I found myself seeing this car at the dealers that was much more nicely equipped than my Accord for slightly less money.

[Initech]

23. I'm seriously considering the hybrid model.

It's between that and the Ford Fusion Hybrid for me.

[ecstatic]

45. I leased one and I'm happy

Saved a lot of money and it looks very nice.

[elifino]

3. Best car I have ever owned

They also are bring a hybrid to the US market. Looks like it will be a winner.

http://www.google.com/search?q=hyundai+sonata+hybrid+review&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[tammywammy]

4. More cars made in America.

Nice to see a manufacturing investment.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

5. but not by the "right" Americans

You just know somebody will bring that up,

[tammywammy]

6. Of course, this is DU I'd expect nothing less.

;)

[Union Scribe]

29. ...than supporting union labor? I'd fucking hope so.

[FLAprogressive]

30. omg, plus one million!!!

[Brickbat]

33. Marry me.

[Union Scribe]

56. I snore.

You wouldn't want me :D

[tammywammy]

54. I support the return of manufacturing to the US

This is a major automotive manufacturer opening a plant here with jobs here.

I support unions. I also support increased manufacturing in the United States.

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. Self Delete... Hell Self-Delete with an apology. n/t

[Generic Other]

7. The state needs the jobs

They have a lot of re-building to do.

[FLAprogressive]

8. Who cares, buy union-made cars from American companies. Not scab labor cars from foreign companies.

[dixiegrrrrl]

9. Are you saying the car plant here in Ala is scab labor?

[FLAprogressive]

10. Absolutely. They take advantage of benefits organized labor fought for without actually joining....

Hyundai (and other foreign car companies) only treat workers somewhat decently because of the "threat" of unionization.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

11. Yeah, like having the UAW negotiate an enormous b-scale making 50% less

See: Orion Township, soon to be home to the lowest paid autoworkers in America.

[FLAprogressive]

12. It was either that or no jobs. But not surprised to see union-bashing on DU.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

13. They don't want what the UAW is selling,

If the UAW couldn't unionize a plant in fucking Ohio in thirty years, significantly staffed by ex-UAW members, maybe there is a little more to it.

[FLAprogressive]

14. Or the workers are just being misled and lied to by propaganda from the foreign automakers.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

16. What do you think they are? children?

Some people would just rather have the job security of a stable employer than a union holding their place on the furlough list. I don't really have a problem with the UAW as an outsider, but I can see why the man on the floor might not find them terribly relevant.

[dixiegrrrrl]

18. Ala. is a right to work state.

Very non union. High unemployment rate, and pay scale is about 46% less than West Coast.
So is cost of living, or at least WAS cost of living till recently.
down here, making 25 K a year is considered good money.
I am not in favor of right to work, but that is the reality here, compared to no jobs.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

19. No argument from me,

The foreign transplants bringing skilled industries to the south is the best thing that has ever happened to the region,

[FLAprogressive]

28. Nope, it isn't. It's all part of the Great Southern Jobs Scam.

http://southernstudies.org/2005/08/toyota-reveals-limits-of-great.html

[dixiegrrrrl]

32. Thank you for the information and esp. that wonderful site!

"Nissan and Honda have encountered difficulties getting new plants up to full production in recent years in Mississippi and Alabama due to an untrained - and often illiterate - workforce.
In Alabama, trainers had to use "pictorials" to teach some illiterate workers how to use high-tech plant equipment."

People from around here tend to give me nasty looks when I mention how bad the schools are.
but tis true.

[Shagbark Hickory]

38. What does this have to do with anything?

[Freddie Stubbs]

37. 'Scab' is a term to describe strikebreakers. Which union is on strike?

[Shagbark Hickory]

39. ^^^ +! ^^^

[Snotcicles]

41. Collective Bargaining Freeloaders, is that better? nt

[FLAprogressive]

53. +1

[Brickbat]

42. Many of us in unions use "scab" to describe those choosing to do the same work for less protection

because they have not bargained collectively. But I suspect you knew that.

[Kingofalldems]

46. +1

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[SidDithers]

52. +1...nt

Sid

[Rage for Order]

21. Are there any jobs people in Alabama should be allowed to do then?

Outside of government employees, I would imagine union employees are few and far between. What jobs, if any, should non-union labor be allowed to do in your opinion?

[Shagbark Hickory]

36. No.

:rofl:

[mitchtv]

20. I'll stick with my Fords

FUCK THE NON UNION STATES/COMPANIES. right to work my foot

[FLAprogressive]

22. +1,000,000

[Initech]

24. I'm buying a Ford for my next car.

Love the 2012 Focus and the Fusion Hybrid, having a hard time deciding.

[taught_me_patience]

25. Ford Focus is made in mexico

Would you rather buy an "american" company in name only, made in Mexico or a "foreign" company but made in America? I'd take the made in america!

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Dont_Bogart_the_Pretzel]

31. Deleted message... some people can't take news like that.

USA USA FORD USE USA

HA HA















BTW: I'm A Ford owner and I know where mine was built. It's built on Earth.

[Brickbat]

34. The Ford Focus is union-made in the USA. The Fusion is made in Mexico.

[taught_me_patience]

35. Sorry... meant fusion.

The point of my message still remains the same, though. I'd rather buy a "foreign" car made in the USA.

[Initech]

43. I'm definitely aware the Fusion is made in Mexico.

I really need a hybrid though and there aren't too many hybrids made by GM or Ford, and Chrysler makes none. I could always go with a Chevy Volt but it's a bit out of my price range.

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Shagbark Hickory]

40. That's nice but what does your preference in automobiles have to do with the topic?

[mitchtv]

44. it is, a negative response to the

nice little hyundai/Ala post. especially after the endorsments and anti union posts that came with it

[oldlib]

47. Hyundia Elantra

In 2009 I bought a Hyundia Elantra. I had gone to a Chevrolet dealer and was shown the Elantra. It has been a surprisingly strong and durable vehicle. I bought it for my wife and for reliability during long trips. I am always astounded, when I drive the car, as to how stable and comfortable it is to drive. I would recommend the Elantra to everyone.

[Atman]

48. My wife drives a 2006 Elantra...

We bought it new, and everyone thought we had a new Saab 93. It's the hatchback version. I love the car. I would rather trade it in for the same model year, higher trim package (sunroof, etc) than get one of the new ones (although the new one is sweet. But the '06 is an awesome vehicle. Last of it's kind, with a real driver's cockpit instead of that big center-console thing all the cars have now).

[oldlib]

50. They are a delight.

[oldlib]

57. I should add

that the car is not easily recognizable. I have difficulty finding our Elantra in a parking lot. I believe it is because car makers follow each other in their designs.

[Atman]

59. I think part of Hyundai's strategy was to steal other car designs.

The old Elantra 5-door, as I said, looks just like a Saab 93. The Sonata didn't become a big hit until they made it look just like a Honda Accord. Then they redesigned the Elantra to look like a Toyota Corolla, and it took off. They have a "Touring" model that looks like a Matrix, and the Vera Cruz is nearly identical to the Lexus R350. It wasn't until the new Sonata and Elantra that they created their own unique designs, and they're beautiful. They are basically copying the old Toyota strategy of making themselves familiar, reliable, reasonably-priced. Hopefully they'll stop there with the Toyota comparisons.

[comtec]

51. these cars will sell here anyway

better they be made here, than in Korea.
Will I personally buy one new? certainly not.
Am I glad to see ANY kind of manufacturing return to the US? OH GOD YES!

Do I think this will seriously hurt the unions? no, not really. like I said the cars will be made somewhere, at least being made here, we get the tax revenue and the local economy gets money.

is it ideal? no of course not. but you're probably ignoring the money desperately needed. Union money is better of course, but something better something than nothing.

Before you attack me, I have been unemployed for almost a year. The unions are of no help to me, and have done nothing to help me.

YOUR inability to understand this economy if your problem. It must be so nice to be employed and living in that ivory tower of your's.

but the rest of us live in reality, and the real world.

you're welcome to join us any time, but I doubt you will.

[JCMach1]

55. The irony is that Hyundai in Korea is unionized!

[xchrom]

58. +1

[oldlib]

60. I don't like buying cars.

I bought my first one in 1951, the first new one in 1965, and through the years I only made money on one of them. I was in the USAF, stationed at March Field, near Riverside, CA. I dated a girl in San Bernardino, and walking back to the base one evening, I saw a 1932 Model A, Ford Roaster for sale for $75. I bought it but I couldn't drive it on base, and parked it near the front entry. It had mechanical brakes and needed sealed beam headlights. The car was a delight, and we made several trips to Southern California beaches. Months after buying it, I was on an aircraft, on the flight line one day, when someone called up to asked if I owned the roadster near the front gate. He said he would give me $100 for it and I immediately responded, "Sold."