Chrysler Workers Deliberately Sabotage Ram Production – Quality Issues?
Tim Esterdahl | Mar 06, 2013 | Comments 81
In what could be the most surprising news of the year, it seems Chrysler-Fiat employees are deliberately sabotaging production on the 2013 Ram 1500 pickup over “poor morale.”
Warren Truck Assembly workers have reportedly sabotaged the 2013 Ram 1500 production to spite management over shift schedule changes.
Sadly, this story is true and, probably the most shocking aspect of it is, the UAW isn’t involved. It seems the Warren Truck Assembly plant recently switched the employees shift schedules around according to Autoblog.com. The new shift plan calls for four, 10-hour days for workers with some working evenings and weekends. The workers apparently weren’t happy with this “flexible” work schedule and decided to protest without UAW support.
As part of their protest, they decided to intentionally sabotage the Ram 1500 production. The Detroit News said, “only 16 of the 58 trucks built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant during the model’s first hour passed final inspection. While quality eventually improved over the course of the day, just over half of the units built on Thursday were approved for shipment. Even with workers ordered to stay late to fix their mistakes, some 1,078 units remained outside the facility with defects.”
What makes this even more shocking is that the UAW supports Chrysler and thinks the new schedule could actually create more jobs.
The UAW told the Detroit News:
“The international union, including myself and staff from the UAW-Chrysler Department, met with workers from Chrysler’s Warren Stamping Plant at a town hall meeting recently to explain (the alternative work schedule) first approved by UAW Chrysler members in 2003,” said Holiefield, head of the union’s Chrysler Department, in an email to The Detroit News on Wednesday.
“The Flexible Operating Pattern has been effective at several other plants and has created thousands of jobs in communities surrounding these plants,” he added. “(I)t’s proven to be successful, allowing the company to operate at maximum capacity to meet customer demand, and in the process, creating jobs, and in general, employees understand the reasons for the schedule.”
Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson said that Chrysler is “aware of their complaints, and we understand that change is difficult.”
Apparently, the protests pissed Chrysler off and they have recently suspended without pay one of the protesters.
Seems like if the workers REALLY understood the plan, they wouldn’t intentionally sabotage the Ram truck production. But, hey what do we know.
Are things so bad for Chrysler-Fiat that their own workers don’t even like them? And what is up with Chrysler workers being in the news? Remember not that long ago an arbitor gave the Chrysler employees that smoked pot and drank on their lunch break their jobs back.
This news comes at a bad time for Chrysler-Fiat as they try to shake decades worth of quality issues, drum up business with their new Ram 1500 and are trying to convince new buyers that diesel in the way to go (see: Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel, Ram 1500 diesel and just announced Jeep Wrangler diesel).
Our fearless leader Jason has the following insight: Toyota has a much better relationship with workers, lower labor costs, and Toyota workers would NEVER, ever, ever, EVER dream of turning out a defective truck to send a message to management. Every 2013 Ram-Fiat buyer had better ask for a big discount, as they could be buying a lemon. What’s more, Ford and GM are going to face similar problems once the moratorium on UAW strikes is over.
Initially, I planned on going on a rant about Chrysler quality and leadership issues. However, I think this story speaks for itself. Sound off your thoughts below.
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Filed Under: Auto News
Ram Trucks workers: drunk, high and disgruntled–Damn!
I work at Dodge truck. So let me put this in the proper prospective. 1. The 2013 launch hasnt left the launch pad. It has been bad from the get go and doesnt seem to be getting any better. Trucks are lined up every week for repair..why? you name it from wrong or bad wiring harnesses from the supplier to computer software glithes. These conditions are clearly out of the guy on the lines control. People should have all the facts before bringing judgement. Chrysler went bankrupt not from the worker but from management neglect and guess what they havent change instead of correcting the problems they put quantity before quality..bottom line keep the line running.
2. Why is it that we want to bash the common worker for having a drink at lunch but ok our execs to have to a drink at lunch and get a tax write off to boot. Oh and lets not talk about the wet bar they have in their closet offices.
Bill,
Good points, thanks for the comment.
-Tim
Line workers operate heavy machinery (in a manner of speaking). Most, if not all, execs do not. There’s a reason they put those warning labels on the Bud bottles.
Bill,
Good post, please talk more about what you are seeing.
I agree management of most companies pull out too much but, in total, money spent on management is pennies compared to the thousands of workers times the yearly employee cost.
Still, your point is well founded. If you are seeing real issues about the ram production your comments are worth more then what we hear from others sources and I thank you.
So,,,,,,,, would you by a Ram truck?
I ordered a RAM 1500 6 cyl on 8 March. Got notified that the truck was built on 23 Mar and was in “final inspection”. It is now 19 May and the truck is STILL in “final inspection”. Let’s see, if it took 2 weeks to build the truck and it did not pass final inspection, they could have now rebuilt it 4 times from scratch.
The answers I got from RAM have not made sense: “We make sure that our trucks undergo the most rigorous inspections before releasing them”. “There may be other vehicles in front of yours that are blocking the way.” It would make much more sense to have said “Our workers are intentionally failing vehicles to protest a change in worker shift policy.”
Beginning to think that purchasing a RAM may have been a bad idea.
That’s annoying for sure but, it’s the way things work. Products announcements and bookings are always long before the thing is built. Being the first solder to the wall comes with some risk.
I am giving the New Ram 1500 V6 8 speed a long look. Not sure I like coils on the back end and 25MPG, with a tail wind going down hill maybe. It’s still a 5500 pound truck. The 1/2 ton truck is slowly being morphed into something other then a truck. I may just be forced to move up to a 3/4 ton and accept the costs which come with it.
If you take delivery soon please up date us on the new transmission.
No wait, this is beter:
Ram Truck Workers: drunk, high and disgruntled, Damn the Ram!
Wow! What a way of losing business. Now they build slower and lose jobs at the same time. Way to go Ram!
[…] may want to change your mind about a Ram: Chrysler Workers Deliberately Sabotage Ram Production | Tundra Headquarters Blog __________________ MIDNIGHT RIDER THIS TRUCK CAN TAKE A HIT AND KEEP ON […]
don’t ever say NEVER or EVER, it can happen just like any workplace, Toyota might not be any different since you don’t know for 100% sure.
I don’t see why a 4 day 10 hour days would be bad. You get an extra day off work so that for most would be great having a 3 day weekend. I wish more places would go this route. You are already there so why not work and save the gas and time and hastle of driving into work the 5th day?
I say fire all of them and hire new. I bet starting pay is over 20 bucks per hour, most of us don’t make that – I’ll take it!
MK,
It’s change and change is hard for many people. I agree with you though, 2 more hours a day = one more day off. Sounds like a deal!
-Tim
Tim,
I’ll assume they were working 8’s. I have have been working four tens for years, and it’s the greatest thing since canned beer.
Most of our work force works 12’s. That is they work three on, four off. Then four on, three off. They only work 7 days out every two weeks.
As the band “Loverboy” said back in the 80’s. “Everybody’s working for the weekend.”
I assume 8 as well.
Tim
chrysler breaks it up into groups-A,B, and C
A= Mon.-Thur. 6:00a.m.-4:30p.m.
B= Wed.-Sat. 6:00p.m.-4:30a.m.
C= Mon.-Tue. 6:00p.m.-4:30a.m. and Fri.-Sat.6:00a.m.-4:30p.m.
They also start at $15.9? with less benifits after two years. And by the way they were hiring the last half of 2012! Still might be, look on line if you want it so bad, and it sounds so good, but so you know, all new hires are group C! Only ones with a 4 day weekend have alot of years in! Also my sister has a Toyota Tundra, the frame rotted ALL the way thruogh!!! What a fine truck,HA,HA,HA!
S.F. I guess with a 75% failure rate is okay with you?
MK,
I once did 4 10s. I hated it and it was one of the reasons I left the job.
Some like it but, it makes for a long day. Up at 5AM to work by 7AM 1hour in breaks leave at 6PM often home at 7PM. Make dinner and by the time you are done the day is over and you have not had a chance to do any thing.
I was not able to adapt to it so the extra day off was not worth it.
I think to say that Ford and GM will have similar problems is too much of a generalization of UAW workers. It all has to do with the relationship of mgmt to the floor workers. Ford’s rise in quality shows that workers at Ford are dedicated to putting out a good product. Poor product = low sales = layoffs, and they know that. It’s best not to assume what workers will do, and just because they are UAW does not mean they aren’t devoted to their product.
I work with a-holes just like that. Thinking they are justified to cost the company thousands when something they dont like happens. Its not the unions just the sorry a-holes amongst them that they protect.
Jason,
FYI- I edited your comment for language. Not a big deal, we just try to keep it clean – part of what separates us from other sites.
Tim
Looks like you missed one during your editing.
Whoops! Thanks.
-Tim
This sounds like a load of crap.
What did they sabotage? This is not good PR for anyone.
Unless we get real details this was not worth posting.
Having said that, I would much prefer buying a truck/car from a well paid person from a right to work state. Toyota is on the mark build the Tundra in TX.
As one who does not have a pension/healthcare/paid vacation, I can’t afford to give what I have to UAW workers. I can’t pay benefits to others when I don’t have those things myself. I doubt UAW workers are loosing any sleep about what I don’t have.
The UAW is in a world of hurt.
Larry,
The workers made sure to not build the trucks to spec. It is detailed in Chrysler’s own internal documents per the news story. Neither the UAW nor Chrysler denies it.
Tim
I don’t know Tim, I am not reading what is not up to spec.
The way they are built, this just does not add up. Wheels are torqued by preset impact tools which do all the lugs at the same time.
What I want to know is did they not tighten the bolts which mount the trans to the motor. It just weak information.
“According to The Detroit News, only 16 of the 58 trucks built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant during the model’s first hour passed final inspection.”
This doesn’t say much.
I am no fan of the UAW but something here is being left out and I have my doubts they would do this. Even UAW workers would understand that this kind of thing is a ticket to unemployment. I have a feeling we are talking about minor stuff here.
Just what is not passing final inspection?
No oil pump installed in the engine,,,,,, main/connecting rod bearing cap bolts not being torqued what?
And,,,,,,, if final inspection catches this that tell me something which is positive.
I would also tend to agree that no matter what, Toyota builds a better product UAW or not.
BUY AMERICAN!
Toyota built in Texas/California
Subaru built in Indiana
BMW built in South Carolina
many more
Ford — Ram
assembly in Mexico and all over the world
Most people don’t even know what Made in USA tells us any more.
Larry,
Those are good points that I really can’t argue. Frankly, I don’t know enough about the manufacturing process to point out anything.
Tim
Wow!! Was shocked to hear this news as i once was a ram 1500 owner just 2 years ago. And since then i feel so much better now selling it and getting into a 2012 toyota tundra. Didnt those workers realize that there sons or daughters or friends could be driveing there product. Now having a toyota i see the dedication that the workers put into the trucks they make. I would personally like to thank those workers and everyone involed at toyota for makeing the best truck for us toyota guys!!!!
Brian,
If those building the Ram have done something significant on the negative side, they just don’t get it. Detroit these days is a waste land. What was once a powerful city driven by industry built by management and workers alike is now falling apart.
Workers should just leave the UAW behind and move on. At this point the unions are more about the salaries of the management then the workers they should represent. The UAW management is giving it’s workers a bad name.
We missed a big chance to let the big names go under back in the 80s and in the last go around of 2008,2009. Bankruptcy is the tool of rebirth but people can’t deal with short term pain.
Toyota is in a very positive position.
I have not driven the Nissan trucks but, I have a friend who is a superintendent for a very large construction company and they now lease Titans. They left F150 and F250 behind. If Nissan does not screw up Ford has lost the business for good. Here in Utah, the Tundra and Tacoma trucks are all over the place.
Just when Ram seemed to be making some positive moves the company and some employees seem to have screwed up.
16 out of 58 is about 75% failure rate. Article also states UAW agrees with Chrysler’s new work schedule. To me the failure rate is directly the workers fault. That’s way too high no matter why their QA flagged the truck for. It’s still a failure.
“Even with workers ordered to stay late to fix their mistakes, some 1,078 units remained outside the facility with defects.”
While I do not know exactly what happened to those employees responsible for the “sabotage”, there needs to be harsher consequences for thsoe employees involved. It’s quite clear that these “mistakes” were not the result of momentary lapses of focus. There were the direct result of certain employees’ dissatisfaction with the change in work schedules. Sabotage is a serious offense, particularly when it involves potential public safety concerns.
I’ve said it before, unions are bad for business and bad for the economy. They are one of the nurseries of communism.
“nurseries of communism”, that’s a good one.
While I am all for people having the right to have someone else bargain for them, things are a bit out of whack. I don’t know how we could make this work when the government grants unions the power to create monopolies for labor. Right to work seems like a reasonable step. Join a union and be represented by Jimmy Hoffa if you like or work with management yourself. Both should be fine and it seems to be working in TX an TN.
From what I read Toyota workers in TX are doing ok.
While I would not join a union myself, I can understand other might want too and if they go out on strike I would also go out in sympathy. While the UAW people are walking around with signs looking stupid, I will be on the beach in Mexico (near where the Ram production will be increasing). Now in this day and age of the US falling out of the worlds labor market am I to believe that the management of the UAW would encourage their own workers to drink poison by sabotaging truck production. While a small number of low quality people might, I personally believe most UAW workers would want to build me a quality truck.
I am just buying into this story. Could it be a problem of a new line which is having start up pains along with a small number of workers adding a bit more fuel to the fire?
This story would not prevent me from buying a RAM if the truck fit my needs.
If I could get the same spec truck from Toyota, Ram, GM, Ford with all being equal,,,,,,,
It’s Toyota made in Texas and the UAW has really noting to do with my decision!
“While I am all for people having the right to have someone else bargain for them…”
Why should someone have a “right” to have someone else support their ability to hold down a job? In the (dare I say) “real” world (of honorable employment – i.e. not working for the family business or in government), this is how I see it:
1) A prospective employee determines for which type of job they may be qualified and capable of being productive, based on education, skills, and abilities;
2)The prospective employee then submits their resume and/or application to the employer (or the employer’s agent – e.g., placement firm);
3) The prospective employee most likely is interviewed by relevant individuals for the position;
4) If the prospective employer decides to extend a job offer, the offer will spell out the terms of employment, including salary/hourly rate and other benefits.
5) Following review, the prospective employee either accepts the offer or not. If the prospective employee is not entirely happy with the offer, he/she may choose to ‘discuss’ added/alternative compensation/benefits.
6) The prospective employee contacts the prospective employer and requests a meeting to ‘negotiate’ compensation/benefits. (With rare exceptions) the prospective employer asks the prospective employee “what planet are you living on?” and hangs up the phone. (Now, I am very familiar with executive-level employment contracts, and I acknowledge that compensation/benefit negotiations occur at senior levels of management. You’d be amazed what the CEO of my firm gets for perqs.)
7) The prospective employee whines to his buddies at the local bar, and tries to decide what ‘Occupy’ movement they will embrace.
8) Communist dictator gets elected for a second term in the White House.
9) Those that embrace the Protestant work-ethic are robbed of their wealth (via taxes) by President Robin Hood, which is re-distributed to those individuals who feel ‘entitled’ to sit on their lazy bums and be supported by the nanny state.
-Respectfully submitted by one of the 53%.
And, if I may add:
10) If current employee screws up, current employer shows said current employee the door.
BriBri,
My only concern with your description (well thought out by the way), is that the reason said employee would join an occupy movement is laid out in your steps. Most everyone I know is great with employees getting fair wages, what they don’t like is the enormous CEO pay/benefits. As I read your #10, I just wanted to add (*if current employee is CEO, expect a large golden parachute).
I think that is part of the justification of unions and someone representing the employees. At the very least, unions help employees earn more in relation to CEOs. While, it is agreeably still far out of whack, at least there is some increase in pay when the company does well. Quite often, the employees are the forgotten heart beat of many organizations.
Frankly, I do wonder what would have Detroit really looked like without unions (I grew up there BTW). I can see a world with the really well-to-do’s and the really poor workers. That is the right to bargain that unions are clinging to. Now, do I think unions have a limit on their usefulness, you bet. And maybe that time has come.
-Tim
“At the very least, unions help employees earn more in relation to CEOs.”
Again, this is the ‘entitlement’ mindset that is ruining this country. If an employee wants the CEO’s pay, then they should seek to better themselves so that someday they have a shot at the C-suite.
“While, it is agreeably still far out of whack, at least there is some increase in pay when the company does well.”
Many companies offer bonuses, ESOPs, and other profit-sharing plans. If that is what a person wants, then they should seek employment with a company that offers that. Again, one is not ‘entitled’ to have that.
“Quite often, the employees are the forgotten heart beat of many organizations.”
Actually, I disagree. In most companies, salaries/benefits are the single largest (expense) line-item on the income statement. So, employees are certainly not a forgotten element of a firm’s operations. In fact, most, especially public, companies (i.e. those that answer to stockholders) management ‘human resources’ so that no single employee is forgotten about. Gone are the days when an employee could just fade away into some back office or cubicle, collecting a decent salary, contributing little productivity to the firm. That employee would be first on the layoff list.
Further, thanks to ‘affirmative action’-type efforts, gone are the days of the large bifurcation of “well-to-dos” and “poor workers”. Nowadays, poor workers are the product of (primarily) the welfare state. It creates little incentive for someone to want to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and either further their education (in a field in which they could make a contribution to the betterment of society – i.e. do not major in philosophy), go to a job if they already have one, or seek employment (or an apprenticeship) in a trade (BTW…My father-in-law was a glassblower. He dropped out of high-school, but eventually got his GED. He never went to college. But, he survived on the Protestant work-ethic, worked until he died, raised a family on a modest salary, and didn’t feel he was entitled to anything better.).
I supposed my point is that we all start out with our own ‘lots in life’. Where we choose to go from there should be based on hard work and determination, not handed to us on an entitlement platter. We should strive to ‘reap what we sow’, not steal the harvest from someone else’s field (BTW…Don’t try that on my land – my gun is bigger than yours.).
BriBri,
First off, I love these conversations. I was a poly-sci student in college and spent a lot of time studying the Industrial revolution, Karl Marx and John Locke.
I would argue that the entitlement debate has ruined this country like you say. Except, I think it has done far more damage to corporate America. There is such a sense of entitlement to Ivy League schools enrollment, job offering due to “who you know, not what you know” and entitlement to large and obscure benefit packages. The truth is that everyone is guilty of entitlement from the lowly shop worker pushing a broom to the CEO sitting 40 stories above the ground.
I really found this statement interesting: “Many companies offer bonuses, ESOPs, and other profit-sharing plans. If that is what a person wants, then they should seek employment with a company that offers that. Again, one is not ‘entitled’ to have that.” In the big picture, Marx and Locke would agree with you that these types of benefits are awesome. They would also applaud the UAW with being a pioneer in creating these type benefits and applaud the common man for asking for more benefits. If anything you’re statement simply applauds the work the UAW is doing each and every day.
While yes, “Gone are the days when an employee could just fade away into some back office or cubicle, collecting a decent salary, contributing little productivity to the firm.” The sentiment is still that after years and years of service, you get the proverbial gold watch to mark your service. My point is that if CEOs leave with golden parachutes, companies can do better than a watch. This is especially true when we live in a time where pensions are failing, social security is a question mark and individual IRA plans are just now rebounding. I don’t see it as an entitlement issue, I see it being more of a fairness issue. What makes the CEO sooo much better that they get the equivalent of a million times better compensation. Why are they better people than us?
Interesting, CEOs really do look at us like lesser people. It was fascinating to watch the GM, Ford and Chrysler CEOs sneer and avoid contact with any journalist or reporter not worth their time. However, other companies like Toyota and Honda were much, much more approachable. This leads me to think entitlement is a U.S. issue and has infected all people.
You might want to re-examine your argument a bit about a Communist president and this line, “Nowadays, poor workers are the product of (primarily) the welfare state.” That isn’t what Marx had in mind. I, personally, know quite a few poor workers and trust me, they have your father’s work ethic yet the medical system has caused them to be in overwhelming debt or unable to work. While, I don’t really want to get into a health care debate (this is a truck blog – ha!), there is often a larger issue in play than simply calling poor people lazy.
And yes, I completely agree with your last point about “lots in life.” I do find it interesting that we have this notion that this idea has gone away. I, frankly, don’t think it has. Myself and pretty much everyone I know has worked to improve their “station” in life. From the poor workers I know in Nebraska, the out of work families who rely on food bank assistance to the millionaires in my family. They are all striving to do the best they can.
Good conversation!
-Tim
“You might want to re-examine your argument a bit about a Communist president and this line, “Nowadays, poor workers are the product of (primarily) the welfare state.””
Tim…Thanks for the feedback and continuing what I agree is a good discussion. In my comment about “poor workers”, I use the word “poor” to mean “not good”, in terms of quality. Not to mean “poor” in terms of lack of financial resources. However, I would also argue that the type of people we are talking about are “poor in spirit”, perhaps being held back by their pessimistic outlook of the country’s state of affairs. Or, it could mean that they are just plain lazy. 😉
Also, I acknowledge that there is some perception of ‘corruption’ when talking about CEO compensation. However, CEOs got to where they are because they are better that the common worker. To answer your question: “What makes the CEO sooo much better that they get the equivalent of a million times better compensation. Why are they better people than us?”, I would say that that is the product of the free-market, capitalistic society that Marxists despise. When you start talking about “fairness”, you begin trodding down that liberal, socialist/communist dark path to ruin. As I like to say, there is no such thing as a win-win situation. There is always a winner and a loser.
Ah… I’ll give you the point on the poor definition. Unfortunately, human nature tells out that out of a thousand people there will be a percentage that are simply unwilling to put in the time/effort to succeed.
It is also interesting to me how we judge “better.” I worked in retail for years and meet many a CEO. I thought quite often they were “snobbish” as a whole. When, I went to work at an office and meet several CEOs of the largest firms in Denver, I still felt they were “snobbish.” Often, I had to resist the urge to “bitch slap” some of them. 🙂
I guess what I am saying is that in my family I have millionaires and hard-working families living just above the poverty line. I’m happy living in the middle and I wish more of the wealthy and poor would too. It’s not having what you want, it is wanting what you have.
-Tim
Tim…
“Unfortunately, human nature tells out that out of a thousand people there will be a percentage that are simply unwilling to put in the time/effort to succeed.”
Currently, stable at 47%.
“It’s not having what you want, it is wanting what you have.”
Amen to that! Although….I have a pain in my neck, but I do not want it.
It is not 47%, LOL!
-Tim
I know, I know. I just can’t get that 47% controversy out of my head. Bad move on Romney’s part. The 47% concept has been misapplied by so many. I thought I would just add to the fray. 🙂
Bribri,
I just keep it real simple. I have a fiberglass top which works fine. One of the boats is setup with a deck and is self bailing for big rapids and I can put the tent up on that if I need to sleep on the boat. Some sections of river are over grown and it’s good to have the option to tie off and sleep on the boat. Same with the truck, a simple truck which is setup to work in remote places and provide shelter when needed. None of that towing around monster camp trailers for me.
Some times a storm can make a mess of these dirt roads and a 40 mile drive out will coat everything in mud. These are not the places for leather sofa type trucks.
Much of this type of stuff is why I don’t like what is happening to the truck market. Some of us really need simple trucks. I drive out some really bad roads which are 40 miles long. For me these are not the places for luxury trucks. This is the job of the good old fashion work truck. Long bed, no carpet, floor matts so it can be hose out.
We have gone off thread on this one, at least I have.
BriBri,
Very well stated. I might add that the process you outline is how I have always found employment.
I still feel a person has the right to have and agent bargain for them as long as it’s in a free market.
actors
athletes
etc
many have another negotiate for them and that’s ok with me but,,,,,, and this is a big one. It must be in a free market and that is what the NLRB has destroyed.
With the creation of modern labor movements the NLRB has created a problem in that there is no free market component. The unions for mostly unskilled labor now have the power to shut down a company in that they are a monopoly. I do take issue with this.
When people hit me up as being anti Union my response is this, “how about we get rid of all the union management and get all compensation in the hands of the worker by making the minimum wage 30 dollars per hour for everyone in America.”. Some are smart enough to know it would result in inflation which would undermine their position. Most are not smart enough and would say great.
Sooner or later they will all find out they gained nothing. The only way to prosper in this system is to get your share while someone else gets less. “CLOSED SHOP UNIONS” Show your card to get work. No card no work. No new cards are available.
A MONOPOLY FOR LABOR and that is the core problem.
But,,,,, even those who have a card and are on the gravy train will still have enough pride to want to build a good truck.
Those building Tundra trucks in TX will want to build a good truck if they join a union or not.
Larry, thank you for bringing up the NLRB. It definitely is a wrench in the gears of free-market employment issues.
If (it hasn’t happened yet) someone hit me up as being ‘anti-union’, I would simply say “I am not anti-union, but I am pro-free-market.” I try not to be in a position of being ‘anti-‘ anything. I want to support thing/causes/ideals that I like, not try to destroy things/causes/ideals that I do not like. Here are some examples:
> I am a gun-owner. Therefore, I buy guns when I want to. If you do not like guns, then you do not have to buy any. The liberal anti-gun crowd, on the other hand, because they do not like guns, they do not want anyone else to own one.
> I am a hunter (and fly fisherman). I (legally) kill animals and I eat them. If you are a vegetarian, then good for you. I do not care. The liberal, crazy, hippie vegans, on the other hand, because they do not like killing animals or eating meat, they do not want anyone else to kill animals and eat meat.
> I am pro-capitalism, and I embrace the Protestant work-ethic. I want to better myself through education, strive to better myself in my chosen profession (without stepping on those I surpass), so that I can honorably provide for my wife and daughter (who, unfortunately, are not the poster-children for frugality). I want to earn what I get – not be handed anything undeservedly. Socialists/communists (and many, if not most, union workers) live by the Marxist mandate of “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need”.
I am all for the revitalization of Detroit (and other centers of manufacturing in the USA). In a way, I feel that the union is an intimidation factor for many companies (auto manufacturers included) for setting up shop there. I would love to only “Buy American” (meaning the USA – as Mexico and Canada are technically “American”), and I do seek out U.S. made products when they are available (I bought a Texas-built Tundra last year.). However, there needs to be a major attitude/mindset reversion to the pre-globalization, pre-welfare state era, if we are to see any significant improvement in this country.
And, this has everything to do with the nature of this particular article (to avoid any question of me going too off-topic).
“And, this has everything to do with the nature of this particular article (to avoid any question of me going too off-topic).”
LOL!
-Tim
Bri,
We seem to see things the same way. Must be because we are both fly fisherman.
The big reason I own a truck is to haul my drift boat to the Green river. I live out of the back of the truck before I start floating down river (that’s the reason the Tundra short bed does not work for me) . I also haul my white water dory to the Grand Canyon every chance I get.
On a final note,,,,,,,,, I wonder if Marx and Keynes might be somewhere thinking to themselves, “no, no you have it all wrong, I didn’t mean you should go that far”
L
Marx is still saying we got it all wrong. His Communist Manifesto was NEVER fully put into place.
-Tim
“We seem to see things the same way. Must be because we are both fly fisherman.”
I say ‘Amen” to that. But I have a confession…I am heading up to Cape Bretton Island (Nova Scotia, Canada) for salmon in October. While I am not necessarily “buying American” in that regard, the fishing up there is fantastic. However, I have started going down to the Susquehanna (outside Harrisburg, PA) for smallmouth bass. I’ll be seeking out some good trout streams in Maine this spring. Hopefully, I’ll eventually get out to those awesome western trout waters I always read about. I’m just counting down the days to retirement when I can quit my job and hobo it as a fly fisherman. Is there any better life?
“Marx is still saying we got it all wrong. His Communist Manifesto was NEVER fully put into place.”
Tim…As a political-science major (although, one could argue that politics has become more ‘art’ than ‘science’), you would know that socialism/communism has never been a successful political/economic system for any country that has adopted it. Although, I hear that Dennis Rodman has boarded that train.
BriBri,
Yes, Rodman is our next great Kissinger. 🙂
Actually, looking at the Marx’s true ideals, his idea of socialism has never been fully implemented. The Soviet Union and Germany came close, but they still never took on all of his ideals. Stalin actually did more harm to Marxism than anybody. The truth is simple, there has never been a Marxist state.
-Tim
I am a lucky capitalist who got to retire at 45. I have spent the last 15 years building boats and fly fishing all the western rivers. If that’s part of your plan I hope you get to have as much fun as I have and start as soon as possible. It’s not fancy, I sleep in the back of the truck, on the boat, on the river bank at least 60 days each season.
I was once a PA fly fisherman but moved west over 30 years ago.
2 places to take your truck and boat are the Colorado river through Grand Canyon and the Salmon river in Idaho but, the permits are getting tough to get.
Having to live off my investments has made me cheap and it’s the main reason I keep my 19 year old T100. The thought of taking money out of my reservers to buy a 35000 dollar truck and funding a UAW members retirement, well,,,,,,, they have to figure that part out for themselves and I don’t think the UAW management is going to get them there.
If only the Tundra came in a 4WD standard cab long bed version, I would buy one —– and I would make sure everyone knew it was MADE IN TEXAS!
I like the idea of the new RAM 1500 standard cab long bed, V6, 8 speed trans. I hope their build quality gets worked out because that’s the kind of truck I need.
Larry….Do you use a tent in your pickup bed? I am scoping out some water in some wilderness, logging areas in Maine, and while the back seat of my truck (I have the 2012 double-cab, standard bed) might be sufficiently roomy, I am entertaining the thought of throwing one of my go-to solo tents in my pickup bed so that I can sleep off-the-ground. I am also looking into some of the so-called, specially-made pickup truck bed tents. But I have only ‘roughed it’ on the ground thus far.
Apologies for picking your brain, and throwing this thread off-topic.
Hey Tim….Maybe start a pickup truck bed accessories blog/thread.
BriBri,
Sometimes, I dislike how our site is setup in that it limits some of the back and forth with picking brains. And this would be one of those times. If I wrote about the tent bed, I would have to write individual articles about each one and that can take quite a bit of time with some low return on investment for us. Not saying I won’t. I just have to find the time!
Other times I love our site, because you can get real truck news here and specific stories about the Tundra. The forum-type sites, you have to sift through people’s threads and poor writing to get information. They have there place, but they don’t always deliver truck news.
-Tim
That’s why this is the ‘headquarters’ for all things Tundra!
IF Chrysler lost the case with firing employees caught RED HANDED drinking and smoking dope on lunch break, who returned to their work on the production floor… (a danger to fellow workers, product quality, and blatantly breaking OSHA regs)…
Sabotaging vehicles on the line might not be a “terminable offense”…
Such a sad statement about the state of affairs and the future of the US in the global economy. What is happening to our work ethic/desire to produce quality products? I have to admit that I am concerned about America’s future prospects with competition on the rise.
I owned a Ram and had nothing but issues with it. Dodge’s service department always tried to avoid fixing it or taking any responsibility. I am not surprised by this story at all. I sold my Dodge truck and finally bought a Toyota Tundra. Surprise, surprise – much more reliable and a good service experience.
This article makes me sick.
It might have something to do with ‘pride of craftsmanship’. That pride doesn’t seem to be as common place as it once was, at least from a consumer’s perspective. Also at play is the globalization of many industries. The rush for cheaper labor and materials (often outside the U.S.) has a direct impact on the quality of people (those doing the work) and products (the work they produce). Although, we see that in certain instances, UAW shops in particular, labor is not necessarily ‘cheap’, but the (labor) quality leaves much to be desired.
Great! I have a Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab in production right now! Not only is this my first truck, but my first American vehicle. I decided to take the plunge after years of quality criticism and concern. I thought with Ram receiving the truck of the year award from Motor Trend it was perhaps enough for me to have faith they are finally building a reliable vehicle. I hope I didn’t make a huge mistake!
Mike you should do a little research on where your truck was made. Not to much American made there.
For the 2013 MY, I recall reading somewhere that the regular cabs will be made in Mexico and the quad and crew cabs will be made in Michigan (not sure what plant). I could be wrong though.
I’m getting the crew cab so, I’m hoping its made in Michigan
From http://www.allpar.com:
“Models/packages for 2013 are ST, Tradesman, Express, SLT, Big Horn, Lone Star, Outdoorsman, Sport, R/T, Laramie, and Laramie Longhorn. There are again three cabs (regular, Quad, and Crew), and three boxes (5’7”, 6’4”, and 8-foot). Production of the 2013 Ram 1500 is scheduled for third quarter of 2012, with all regular cabs assembled in Saltillo, Mexico; and Quad and Crew Cabs in Warren, Michigan.”
You still should’ve bought a Tundra though. 🙂
Key word to that statement – “assembled.” Assembled doesn’t mean an American truck. Rather it is like taking a bunch of different color Lego pieces and compiling it into an object.
-Tim
Agreed Tim.
Although, some trucks are assembled like Legos with a nice fit/finish, while other trucks are assembled like Lincoln Logs with big gaps and rough edges. 🙂
LOL! Lincoln logs. 🙂
It is so funny to me that all these trucks makers are pointing out the “tighter fit” will result in better MPG. I’m like, so you decided to do a better job of assembling them?! Isn’t that like saying, “Hey, remember those big gaps we used to intently leave in your truck? Yeah, we decided to close them.” 🙂
-Tim
Maybe the gaps were originally, intentionally designed into the vehicle as ‘flex gaps’. Or, maybe they allowed the vehicle to ‘breathe’. 🙂
I am sure the marketing folks could think up some kind of spin for it.
LOL!
-Tim
It all depends if it’s being build in Mexico or not. I’m hoping it’s a U.S plant, but they haven’t told me yet.
I’m hoping for Legos. It’s fun to wait and watch how long it will take someone to challenge your terminology or exact us of words.
This will be the fist vehicle that is not a Toyota, Honda or Subaru. This is my first truck. This is the first vehicle I have purchased that once was solely assembled in the U.S.
🙂 I’m sure that’s wrong too.
While I appreciate Tim’s concern with the possible percentage of foreign parts in the RAM, I still read ‘assembled in (Michigan)’ as meaning jobs for Americans (USA, that is).
True!
-Tim
Mike,
You are right. It is the first truck assembled in the U.S. And we hope you are happy with it.
Personally, I think Chrysler is really trying to improve their market share. I say this from the perspective of their booths at auto shows, the diesel Ram 1500, active grille shutters and attractive exterior.
However, the knock on Chrysler is and will be for a while, what about quality and durability? Those issues have plagued them for years and will continue to plague them until we see more long-term data from new owners.
The other question I have for them, is how accurate are their EPA estimates? It seems like they boast some big numbers, but I can’t find real-world evidence that confirms it.
My two cents.
-Tim
I mentioned nearly 12 weeks ago, that I had a new Ram on order. It arrived a week ago. I was feeling pretty nervous about my first Ram product… My first truck for the matter. First, let me say wow! Visually, this truck is beautiful. I get comments on it everyday. I opted for 5.7L Laramie Crew Cab. I also added just about every option available on this thing including the air suspension. This truck drives like its on air…I guess that’s because it pretty much is! Everyone I’ve given a ride to comments on what a smooth ride it has. I’ve never purchased an extended warranty before, but I did on this bad boy. It’s a 7 yr/72,000 warranty. This being a new model and all I just decided to protect myself. So far I’m really pleased. Funny side note: many people have commented on how sweet the wheels are. I washed the truck last night and guess what? The wheels are plastic! I had no idea and neither did anyone else! Oh well, they look nice!
What do you mean by plastic wheels??
Wheel covers?
I have seen aluminum alloy rims destroyed when a tire failed on a highway in a section where there was no pull out due to construction. Not sure how far the person had to go before he could get over. The wheel was no longer usable.
Wonder what happens to a plastic truck wheel when the tire goes down and there is 1000 pounds in the back of the truck.
I stick with steel wheels and have never had to replace one.
Nah, they are steel wheels with plastic covers. They look like real chrome wheels even up close. i I was washing them with a brush when I suddenly realized they were plastic!
Sounds like something Fiat would do.
Any automaker that says “chrome clad” is just that… All of the chrome aluminum wheels you see on just about every vehicle are plastic covers. Some just fit better and sound less “plastic”. If you look closely to an OEM chrome rim near the bead you’ll see the aluminum bead/clad cover seam. I just wanted to point out that I have just traded my 2013 Ram1500 because of electrical issues. Chassis harness, fuel module, and relays burned out while driving home one day. It was day 363 of ownership actually. I bought it new with 4 miles on it. Loved the truck before that. Then I read this article and it frustrated me. I now own a 2014 Sierra Z71. Not a huge GM fan (have had plenty), but my wife works for GM, her family owns 100% GM vehicles, and my family is at about 90%. I lost the battle due to rebates and discounts. I am not sad that I put faith in a new Ram, I am sad that they let me down when I did.
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