State of the Union March 15, 2011

March 15, 2011 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

Union meeting is this Wednesday, March 16, at 1 pm, 3 pm and 15 minutes after the longest first shift line time.

From the Detroit News: Most of the big Japanese auto assembly plants were shielded from the direct devastation of Friday's deadly earthquake and tsunami. But damage at suppliers and power outages resulting from crippled nuclear plants could slow resumption of domestic output and eventually affect U.S. and other overseas operations. Toyota Motor Corp., the world's largest automaker, has suspended operations at all of its Japanese plants at least through Wednesday. Nissan Motor Co., Japan's second-largest carmaker, is halting production at two plants north of Tokyo and close to the hardest-hit region in the northern part of Honshu, Japan's most populous island, until Friday. Operations at four others have been suspended until Wednesday. Honda Motor Co. stopped auto output for the week. It has several operations in the affected region of Tochigi. Damage to parts factories, rail lines and other transportation infrastructure poses the biggest risks to a recovery of Japan's domestic auto industry. Last year, it produced 9.6 million vehicles — half of them for export (the United States produced 7.8 million vehicles in 2010). "Overseas operations could be affected if shutdowns become prolonged, as core components such as engines and transmissions are supplied to overseas vehicle factories from Japan," said Kohei Takahashi, a Tokyo-based analyst at J.P. Morgan. "Given the 20,000 to 30,000 parts that go into making an automobile, and the difficulty of procuring even basic materials, we do not foresee a return to normal production schedules anytime soon," he said.

From Automotive News: Booming February sales lowered the U.S. industry's average supply of new vehicles to 60 days, down from 70 days a month earlier. The days-supply figure was the lowest March 1 level since 2002. The supply of cars fell to 57 days, from 70 days a month earlier. The supply of light trucks declined to 63 days, from 71. Among the Detroit 3, Chrysler Group had both the largest supply and the biggest drop from a month earlier. Supplies fell to 68 days, from 89 days on Feb. 1. Ford had a 63-day supply on March 1, down from 77, and General Motors hit the industry average of 60 days on March 1, compared with 68 days last month.

In the market for maintenance or repair on your vehicle — or know an eligible family member who is? The GM Certified Service Employee Discount Program can save up to $20 on customer pay vehicle maintenance and repairs at your local participating GM Dealer. Here’s all you need to do.

Eligible employees and retirees can retrieve their authorization number at www.gmfamilyfirst.comand will be able to utilize up to three discounts for themselves or immediate family during the promotional period ending Dec. 31.

Once you obtain the authorization number, take it to your local participating GM Dealer, and at the time of service write-up, present the authorization number to your dealership representative. The discount amount will be applied at completion of your transaction. Discount amounts vary depending on your service total (Repair Order Value) before discount, taxes and related shop supplies. The discount is also stackable with current everyday value pricing and all CCA rebate programs.

Your exclusive GM employee discount structure is as follows:
•    $ 25.00 – $49.99 Repair Order Value – receives a $ 5.00 discount
•    $ 50.00 – $74.99 Repair Order Value – receives a $10.00 discount
•    $ 75.00 – $99.99 Repair Order Value – receives a $15.00 discount
•    $100.00+Repair Order Value – receives a $20.00 discount
Note: Minimum Repair Order Value to be eligible for discount is $25.00.
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