The other way to save Detroit.

US Honda has a $21/hour advantage over GM in total compensation costs. They have this advantage because they are the new kid on the block - they don't have any retirees to support. As Honda's workers retire, they will begin to experience the same competitive disadvantage to Tata (India) or Chery (China) when they, in turn, locate here.

If the problem is a labor cost gap between the big three and Japanese brands (or the next newbie) because of "legacy costs". Then the solution is to level the playing field.

Pass a bill creating a "US industrial pension system". Each manufacturer of autos or parts employing more than fifty people would contribute $X per hour worked into the system (similar to state disability insurance) which provides benefits designed around current UAW pension. GM gets a $10/hour break on its labor costs and Toyota/Nissan/Honda begin to bear a share of the cost of retirees, and the newbie advantage goes away.

The medical component of the pension system is medicaid, subsidized by the taxes paid by the manufacturers.

They located their plants in the anti-union "right-to-work" states in order to pinch pennies with labor. It'd only make sense they'd want to pinch pennies here by opposing an industry-wide pension system.

Those fuckers think they are going to do great thing for their foreign little buddies down there. When it collapses, they will also get sucked down the rat hole.

brake assembly for my 96 Honda.... the reservoir, pump, valving... the UNIT. I could have one for the low low price of 18 hundred dollars and change.... that's eighteen with a 1 and an 8. A local import repair shop wanted around 950 for an aftermarket. The local auto parts store could sell me one for approximately 600. Now, I'm no rocket scientist but 18 hundred dollars for something the size of a honeydew melon???

Honda makes its money on parts, I remember buying a "carburetor kit" for a Honda motorcycle a long time ago... it was a ridiculous amount for a gasket, and perhaps two or three o-rings. I couldn't believe the price.... and so it goes. If GM were to follow the pattern, a battery for one of their vehicles would cost 500 dollars, no lie.

Parts for imports are (generally) exorbitantly expensive.

Just a stinkin 401 K plan. Often employers contribute minimal amounts to such funds. Rep. George Miller is in charge of Congressional Investigations looking into 401 K reform. It just might consider plans similiar to your idea.. That , the other legacy cost unfair advantage to the Big 3. How good are the health care plans offered by Honda.?

:shrug:

If that were the case, Ford would be in the same boat as GM and they're not.