More Quality Control issues from 1985. And an interesting decal find on the AC Compressor

[ssn696]

I think my coupe was assembled in Fremont. 39 years ago. Now it's a Tesla plant. Might be some of those guys' grandkids building Model 3s today.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Unions definitely had their place many years ago, rules should change . Now any horrid employee who can behave for 3 months gets the golden ticket. Power corrupts and greed goes on both ends. Profits are important for a company to a point, just like fair wages and benefits for employees. If it wasn't for the 3 Coal Miners killed in a labour strike in Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada might not be the Socialist country it is. But it was a much crueler world in many ways.

 

[fleming442]

I'm in a union, and with some of the CEOs we've had in the past, it is definitely a necessary evil. I was a Steward at one point, and while I was in training, they told me "10% of the people will create 90% of your problems". And, THAT, my friends, is the absolute truth.

 

[87National]

Unions definitely had their place many years ago, rules should change . Now any horrid employee who can behave for 3 months gets the golden ticket.

I agree......manufacturing was much different at the turn of the century.

And I'm OK with the existence of unions as long as they aren't backed by government coercion. In other words .......the decision to join a union should be optional......and if an employee decides to not show up to work and do his/her job ...... or is not motivated or capable of doing his/her job......the employer is free to terminate his/her employment.

 

[TomDisab]

nicely done.

 

[rogue_ryder]

That is why my main drive is a Tacoma, as much as I hate to say it

The funny thing is; if your Tacoma was built between 1995 and 2010 it was most likely built in Fremont California by UAW assemblers. As ssn696 mentioned they also assembled some early G Bodies there as well. My 2006 Silverado has actually been cheaper to keep on the road than the 1997 Toyota Tacoma I owned prior and uses about the same amount of fuel (18 mpg). The problem with the Toyota is that the cost of parts is like 50-200% higher than GM parts. Although I can't say my '06 Silverado is better than an '06 Toyota and I wouldn't take a 1997 Silverado over a 1997 Tacoma.

My 442 was built at Arlington TX and I was shocked at how much slag and welding wire was still on the frame from Manufacturing! The plastic that GM chose to use in the G-bodies is also very sub par when you compare it to the Imports of the era especially the Euro sedans. GM, Ford & Chrysler were all pretty bad throughout the 70s, 80s and up until the late 90s when they finally started getting hit hard finacially by loosing billions in sales to imports and were forced to improve quality. It would've been nice if GM chose not cut corners on these cars, but management at GM during the 70s & 80s made many missteps and chose to save pennies here and there and blow billions in other areas (Wankel Vega?) they ignored lean manufacturing and 6 sigma processes as well due to bull headed management. Both Union and Management share in the blame, but as we all know based on the reliability and quality of Tacomas and Corollas produced at the NUMMI plant in Fremont Ca by Union employees they don't have the Lion's share of the blame when it comes to product quality.

 

[airboatgreg]

The funny thing is; if your Tacoma was built between 1995 and 2010 it was most likely built in Fremont California by UAW assemblers. As ssn696 mentioned they also assembled some early G Bodies there as well. My 2006 Silverado has actually been cheaper to keep on the road than the 1997 Toyota Tacoma I owned prior and uses about the same amount of fuel (18 mpg). The problem with the Toyota is that the cost of parts is like 50-200% higher than GM parts. Although I can't say my '06 Silverado is better than an '06 Toyota and I wouldn't take a 1997 Silverado over a 1997 Tacoma.

My 442 was built at Arlington TX and I was shocked at how much slag and welding wire was still on the frame from Manufacturing! The plastic that GM chose to use in the G-bodies is also very sub par when you compare it to the Imports of the era especially the Euro sedans. GM, Ford & Chrysler were all pretty bad throughout the 70s, 80s and up until the late 90s when they finally started getting hit hard finacially by loosing billions in sales to imports and were forced to improve quality. It would've been nice if GM chose not cut corners on these cars, but management at GM during the 70s & 80s made many missteps and chose to save pennies here and there and blow billions in other areas (Wankel Vega?) they ignored lean manufacturing and 6 sigma processes as well due to bull headed management. Both Union and Management share in the blame, but as we all know based on the reliability and quality of Tacomas and Corollas produced at the NUMMI plant in Fremont Ca by Union employees they don't have the Lion's share of the blame when it comes to product quality.

It is a 2018. I was all GM for many years and the last few have lost my respect. My wife drives a 2010 Camaro and that car has been great. No complaints other then I don't like it, has too many blind spots and if a meteor hits it when I drive it(which I can count on 2 hands the number of times I have since we bought it new) it is my fault. I saw a lot of stuff as a career tech. It will be a long day before I buy one for me to drive. I can go on and on as a couple of buddies have worked on an assembly line and they to tell stories on how to beat the QC guys

 

[gearhedjon]

Everyone blames the assembly workers but what about the mechanics at the dealerships or the person buying the car? I bought a 1 owner base 87 Monte Carlo in the middle 90's only 77000 miles at that time. First thing I noticed, the heater box leaked and I don't mean a little. Puddled the carpet. Never got fixed. Second the drivers side window was miss aligned. Whistled horribly. Again never fixed. The car was never in any accident either. Why weren't these simple problems fixed or brought in for warranty work? Who knows. It doesn't just have to be the assembly line workers as I said