Devoted to the auto industry – builders to enthusiasts

For the second time in two weeks, the country's auto industry is facing a strike.

While negotiations continued Monday, the United Auto Workers (UAW) set a Wednesday morning deadline to agree on a new contract or 49,000 hourly workers for Chrysler could strike.

What the pending strike means for the auto industry at large is hard to know. But what is known is that tactics used both the company management and the UAW is growing old.

The Union does or says something and it may be a ploy for something else. The company reports its point of view, but it may really be a negotiation strategy.

Who goes first doesn't matter. Both sides spin their tales to the press knowing exactly what they're doing. And the media reports it.

For years, I've periodically heard friends and the parents of friends give their the strong opinions about the best cars to buy. The opinions are often tied into their strong opinions about the auto industry, and the United Auto Workers.

One common theme I don't understand, "Only Buy American."

Auto industry strikes are nothing new. But with the ever-increasing number of quality automobile available in the United States, one can't help wonder if even the diehard buyers of American-only cars might be getting fed up.

Anyone look at the cars manufactured by Hyundai, Suzuki and Kia, lately?

Resource links:

http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/10/news/companies/chrysler_uaw/index.htm?postversion=2007101012

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071010/UPDATE/710100458

http://www.knowmoremedia.com/2007/09/uaw_launches_national_strike_a.html

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