UAW anticipates NUMMI closing Tacoma truck assembly lines

[kostby]

Quote » Union fears cutbacks at East Bay auto plantProduction of Toyota Tacoma could be on chopping blockBy Tim Simmers, BUSINESS WRITERArticle Last Updated: 06/28/2007 08:39:48 AM PDTFREMONT — There's a growing fear among union leaders at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant that management could drop production of the Toyota Tacoma truck, which represents 40 percent of the Fremont plant's annual output.The sprawling factory off Interstate 880, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corp. and General Motors Corp., employs 5,500 workers and hasn't had a layoff since it opened in 1984. Some 425,000 cars and trucks were produced at the plant last year.A memo last week from union leaders to the United Auto Workers rank and file at the plant warned of the possibility of losing the Tacoma pickup truck production and urged "we are now fighting to exist.""We stand a good chance of losing production of the truck," said George Nano, president of the UAW Local 2244, which represents 4,100 workers at the plant. "We're going to do whatever we have to do to ensure our survival, and have a responsibility to a lot of people to make sure they have jobs."Nano said he heard from top management in meetings that the plant could cease production of the Tacoma at the NUMMI plant.NUMMI management stopped short of saying in a statement that it would move Tacoma truck production. It also did not say it would lay off any workers, or consider shutting down the plant. But it stressed that NUMMI must "improve its competitiveness."...NUMMI is the last major auto plant left in California and the only one west of the Rocky Mountains. It makes the light Toyota Tacoma truck, the Toyota Corolla and Pontiac Vibe....We have to be competitive with Mexico, Canada, Indiana and Texas," Nano said.Link to full article --> http://www.insidebayarea.com/o...49753

[Whelan]

Why would they stop selling a small/midsize truck? That makes no sense. I know Nissan did it and just makes the Titan, but why not continue competing against the short bed F150, Ranger (POS), and the Colorado? I'm lost.

[engineertwin2]

I don't think it said that Toyota would stop selling the Tacoma...it stated that they stopped short of saying they would move production...that indicates to me that they are considering changing the location that the Tacoma is manufactured - not stop production of the Tacoma entirely.

[Sublimewind]

I hate to say this, but there is a reasion why it's the only auto manufacturing plant left in Ca. Cause it's so darn expensive to do anything there... why do you think many have moved to the mid-south... this doesn't come to much of a shock to me honestly. I mean is sucks hardcore for the people, but, come on, inflation has taken it's toll on the manufacturing industry... big time

[jimincalif]

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal last week I believe, re Toyota and its manufacturing capacity growing faster than demand. They are slowing down expansion plans and it would not be surprising for them to shuffle production to lower-cost plants.As a life-long Californian and a business owner, I am amazed that there is any significant manufacturing left in this state, especially automobiles and especially in the bay area. With land costs, housing costs, wage costs, taxes, environmental regulations and a business-hostile government, it is a tough place to be.

[Sublimewind]

It's a shame man, everyone wants to be there, but hardly anyone can afford to move there... Ca, is going to slid off in to the ocean one day anyway, maybe there anticipating it... It's good you have a boat and know how to swim... When id does slid, i'll come pick you up...kCheers

[TJinPgh]

Basically the same environment that keeps companies from coming to PA.Although, to truly be like PA, CA will need to discover all of the reasons why Toyota is moving the line, then do more of all of it to anybody who's left.

[jwalcik]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »I know Nissan did it and just makes the TitanNissan still has the Frontier. It's no longer a compact truck by any means, but neither is the current Tacoma.

[Whelan]

Is the Frontier even a two door anymore. The only models I have seen remind me of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac with the 4 doors and real short bed.

[micbarric]

Ever since Toyota started building Tacomas in Tijuana, Mexico, many people figured Tacoma production in California would eventually end. http://www.toyota.com/about/ne....html

[IMakeVibes]

Sorry about reposting this story on here. I searched everywhere and couldn't find anyone having posted it yet.I think all the major points of this have already been touched on. This is only being talked about on the truck side of NUMMI. NUMMI has two assembly lines - car and truck. The Vibes and Corollas roll down one line all together and the Tacomas roll down a separate line. For some statistical purposes and ratings, NUMMI is actually considered to be two plants.Since opening Baja was first announced, we at NUMMI wondered how that would affect us. Toyota said that they wanted to have a larger sales presence in the Mexican market and this would be their first attempt at manufacturing vehicles in that market. But there always seemed to be more to it than that. Baja started slow, at only 20,000 units annually and now I believe they are close to 70,000. Baja and NUMMI have an interesting relationship such that Baja is a supplier to NUMMI (they build and paint all Tacoma beds) NUMMI is a supplier to Baja (we supply them with various body panels) and of course they are our competition as well. As stated, California is a very tough place to do business. Since NUMMI opened 23 years ago, the auto industry as well as the business climate in California, as well as around the country and world, has changed. Being in California, we have a lot of local suppliers, but the majority of our suppliers are in the middle of the country - another huge expense. For now, all of this is a rumor. From the way the company is doing some things, it appears that they are up to something or preparing for something. Exactly what, no one knows. I wont get into that anymore on here, and all of that could be speculation by us employees as well. Vibe, Corolla and Tacoma production continues as normal at NUMMI. Preparations are being made for the launch of the '09 Corolla and Vibe at the beginning of next year. Very nice vehicles as well, but I can't say any more than that.. It appears that NUMMI is planning to exist, atleast through 2011. But what vehicles will be built there or who will be building them seems to be in question at this time. I'll share more info on this if anything comes up or this becomes more than just a rumor.

[jwalcik]

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »Is the Frontier even a two door anymore. The only models I have seen remind me of the Ford Explorer Sport Trac with the 4 doors and real short bed. The current model of the Frontier comes as an extended cab or a crew cab. The Tacoma is still available as a single cab, but with limited options.

[Zorren]

Well, its all about running a business. Unfortunately, Ca. is very expensive to operate in while Mexico is not. Although, the USA is getting more difficult to run a business in all together, look at the flood of American owned businesses that have fled the country in search of better profits. The Wages(i blame the unions but I am horribly biased) and general Operating costs are sky rocketing here. WE should Just form a new Country United States of North American)USNA. But then they would move to Central America.

[scherry2]

I would say something like, I blame the Corporations but I'm Horribly biased, but that would require moving this to political asylum. but I will say this: I'm sorry to see any work leave the North American Continent.

[TJinPgh]

Quote, originally posted by scherry2 »I would say something like, I blame the Corporations but I'm Horribly biased, but that would require moving this to political asylum. I'll forgo any extended I Told You So's for the same reason.Quote »but I will say this: I'm sorry to see any work leave the North American Continent. Whether you choose to believe this or not, so do I. Unfortunately, I doubt it's the last we'll hear of this.Although, thanks to NAFTA, products produced in Mexico and Canada can also be considered American.disfrutar

[vibebuilder]

It bothers me when I see people out in front of the factory cleaning, painting, resoding the grass, etc.It's just like they're cleaning and detailing a car... right before the "For Sale" sign goes up.