Thursday, January 29, 2009

UAW-built cars and trucks the stars of the North American International Auto Show

UAW Local 600's Haywood Allen bent down next to a cut-up version of Ford Motor Co.'s F-150 pickup displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

From his vantage point, he could see his own handiwork.

"You see that right there? I'm in charge of that long piece, there," the chassis line worker said, pointing to the drive shaft. "I'm in charge of installing it and securing it. When I tell people what I do, they tell me we've 'got a beautiful truck and keep up the good work.' "

That sentiment was echoed by many at the January auto show, which bestowed the 2009 North American Truck of the Year on the redesigned F-150.

Just as important as the auto show award, were the positive comments Allen received not only from the usual "gear heads" and older guys with ball caps and flannel shirts, but also from women, older folks with mobility issues and people with families.

The F-150, he said, was redesigned to be more user-friendly. It includes two box side steps that spring out so people can more readily access the bed, and a step and handle on the tailgate so people can safely climb into the bed.

Inside, the usual "hump" in the middle of the rear passenger area floor is no longer there, adding to the storage and ease of exit and entry, as well as rear seats that only take one hand to lift up and down. It even has grocery hooks.

"Young people to older people really like it," added Marilyn Robinson, another Local 600 member. "I'm getting women who are really interested because they see the things they have done to this pickup truck to accommodate them."

One of the recurrent themes at the auto show this year, of course, is fuel economy and alternative fuels.

All three U.S. automakers have made giant strides at improving fuel economy. Domestic manufacturers are now offering consumers various ways to conserve fuel and save money, including a dozen models of hybrid cars and trucks, flex-fuel vehicles, advanced energy-saving transmissions, and clean diesel technologies. In fact, General Motors Corp. has 20 different vehicles that surpass 30 mpg, and the Chevrolet Malibu exceeds the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in fuel efficiency. At Chrysler LLC, there are 11 flex-fuel vehicles in their lineup and it is a leader in electric neighborhood vehicles. And it was Ford that introduced the first-ever hybrid SUV, the Escape.

Production for the Chevrolet Volt, an electric extended range vehicle, is expected to begin in 2010.

Al Stevens, a UAW Local 602 member from Lansing, Mich., was marveling at the hybrid Malibu that was on display at the GM section of the show. The material handler noted that the Malibu, the 2008 NAIAS Car of the Year, has lived up to its star billing according to two drivers he personally knows: his parents.

"They love it. So far they're getting a little better than 30 miles per gallon so they're very happy," Stevens said, marveling at the reported 32 mpg for the 2008 hybrid Malibu.

Stevens, who was on layoff while attending the show but was expected to return in early February, said it was ironic that the entire auto industry was going through such hard times because of the economy, while domestic automakers were producing some of their best vehicles ever.

"I think our future is still good. We build good stuff," he added. "We're as good as or better than foreign automakers. People don't always believe that."

Justin Trotter was examining Chrysler's latest offerings with friend, Nick Jaslly, who recently was discharged from the Marine Corps after serving in Iraq and other duty stations.

"I've always had a Jeep," Trotter said, adding that his current four-wheel ride has a lot of miles but runs fine. But if he did want to sell it and buy a new one, odds are he would do fairly well: The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon won the 2009 Best Resale Award from Kelly Blue Book in the SUV category. It has also racked up other recent awards, such as the Popular Mechanics magazine's Automotive Excellence Award for Off-Road Ability and the Detroit News' 2008 award for Most Awesome Off-Road Vehicle. It also received the U.S. government's highest rating for frontal-impact crash testing: five stars.

"I'd have a hard time giving up my current Jeep to buy another one," he said. "I'll probably buy one until the day I die."

One could argue that a Jeep Wrangler is the quintessential American vehicle.

Buying one right now is a little difficult for the laid-off U.S. Steel employee, but he hopes that those in the market will consider a quality vehicle from U.S.-based manufacturers as a way to support our economy.

"Personally, I'm not very quiet on my opinion about the matter," he said.