NUMMI to close, time for personal change

[RevDMV]

Toyota decide yesterday to end the production contract with NUMMI, whom I've been contracting with for the last 13 years or so.

The decision to close was fairly inevitable once GM pulled out in early June. The cost of business here in NoCal just doesn't make sense for a large manufacturing venture. (It's not just the UAW, although that does play a part)

Fortunately, there is still 7 months of production left, and unspecified promises have been made to assist folks in their next steps.

Being in IT, I have a lot of options. Although it's personally disappointing that the pullback in the auto industry has crushed my own little business. But, you make business choices and you have to live with them. NUMMI had become 90% of our work in the last year, supporting systems we had in place.

As it's been said, nothing is more constant, than change. Time for some change...

 

[Ward Fowler]

I'm really sorry to hear that, but you certianly have the right attitude. I'm sure that everything will work out. Best of luck to you.

 

[Plecostomus]

$65,000 average production-worker wage? Bloody hell you priced yourselves right out of the market with that nonsense.

I would love to make that much money but I know economically it's just not possible to pay workers that much and provide a competitive product.

 

[Ward Fowler]

Unfortunately, you're right. It makes one miss trade barriers.

 

[RevDMV]

$65,000 average production-worker wage? Bloody hell you priced yourselves right out of the market with that nonsense.

I would love to make that much money but I know economically it's just not possible to pay workers that much and provide a competitive product.

Toyota pays it's workers in Indiana and Texas pretty close wages(24 vs 29 an hour) compared to NUMMI. In the end it more about the total climate than any single factor.

It's going to be tough for those on the line.

 

[Canadave]

I feel sorry for you folks out there, but I'm afraid I can't feel too bad over this news as it means Toyota is moving those operations to Ontario. Since our manufacturing sector used to rely so heavily on General Motors and Ford, any increase in the automotive sector is, frankly, fantastic news for us. Not that that makes anything better for the workers out there in California, but...

 

[RevDMV]

Yup, the Cambridge plant will get some Corolla orders for now. That plus the new Woodstock Rav4 plant will do well for the area.

Long term I expect that the corollas will be produced in the new Tupelo MS plant, once the economy rebonds.

 

[Captain Ice]

I've been figuring that this was going to happen ever since GM announced that they were going to be shutting down the Pontiac name, though part of me had hoped that they would continue to offer the Vibe, just with another name on it.

What vehicles besides the Matrix, Corolla, and Vibe are currently being built there?

 

[RevDMV]

The Matrix was always built in Canada, The Vibe was it's sister product.

Currently the Tacoma pickup and Corolla are the two vehicles being produced here. At least until March.