Should Detroit Rebuild Itself Around the Slovakian Manufacturing Model?

Every 60 seconds, to a robotic burst of Mozart's Symphony No. 40, a new Kia sedan or SUV emerges from beneath a cascade of sparks at the South Korean carmaker's gleaming assembly plant in this northwestern Slovakia town.

This is Europe's Motor City: a "Detroit East" where business is booming and -- for now, at least -- there's no sign of the crisis gripping America's Big Three automakers.

"We're talking about adding jobs, not eliminating them," says Jun-Bum Park, general manager of Kia Motors Slovakia, which opened the sprawling $1.36 billion complex in Zilina in December 2006.

Although Slovak auto workers are unionized, they've struck a deal with foreign carmakers to ensure their wages keep pace with inflation and raises don't exceed a company's productivity in percentage terms.

"American unions are more drastic and demanding," says Kia's Park. "We are listening to our employees, trying not to have confrontations."

Read Article

TECHGEEK - 11/28/2008 9:58:55 AM

+3 Boost

European .... Need I say more.
I have met so many slovaks in my life and they are very polite,nice and hard working people.
The problem with our american people is greed,immorality and material-mindedness. I mean look at the CEOs wasting tax payer money with fat bonuses, luxury jets and vacations and then the immoral affairs ( Although I do not say that these do not happen in Europe )

EL34 - 11/28/2008 10:37:21 AM

0 Boost

Don't forget the fat pig Unions.

The Unions should be nuked on Christmas morning right after church services.

Agent009 - 11/28/2008 11:27:15 AM

+2 Boost

in this case the workers and the companies work together to maintain sustainability.

It is not a case of everyone in it for themselves.

abcd - 11/28/2008 12:53:53 PM

+2 Boost

"crime and corruption are HUGE problems in Eastern Europe and I doubt that Slovakia is an exception."

I live in Eastern Europe and I don't think we have bigger problems with crime than in US for example , that of course depends from a region , I don't think Slovakia has big problems with crime . This is only stereotype created by myths , hollywood films ...

Agent009 - 11/28/2008 1:51:43 PM

+2 Boost

BimmerMike46 - The avatar was courtesy of a nice young lady at an ALMS race. She kindly donated her bottom for the logo.

abcd - 11/28/2008 4:26:55 PM

+1 Boost

"German police say Schengen opening *will* bring crime wave"

Schengen has been open for a while and crime doesn`t grow . Typical German bullshit . We all know which nation is the most criminal in the history of civilisation . In fact there has been drop in crimes after opening Schengen :

http://www.wieninternational.at/en/node/8366

----

There are some regions like Russia and Ukraine where the organised crime is a problem . Like there are some regions in US where crime is problem .

---

Corruption is still a problem in some organizations and it's legacy after our previous system , it's now changing slowly .

---

"In Europe alone, officials estimate that more than 200,000 women and girls — one-quarter of all women trafficked globally — are smuggled out of Central and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics each year, the bulk of whom end up working as enslaved prostitutes. Almost half are transported to ***Western Europe***. Roughly a quarter end up in ***the United States***. Human rights activists say the numbers do not tell the full story, because most women remain silent rather than turn to frequently corrupt authorities for help."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3071965/

They are transported where they have the most clients .

---

Generally it's characteristic for you TurboSpyder to obscure FULL facts , true and to quote part of a information . You have done this many times in your posts . But OK , what you can other do when facts don't fit to your imaginations .

abcd - 11/28/2008 4:58:12 PM

+1 Boost

"Russia under Stalin?"

No . This nation maybe even surpasses Russia under Stalin or maybe it go head to head .

"Generation after generation it has only been one way and will never change."

Are you a historian and clairvoyant ? Or is it another time your imagination ?

abcd - 11/28/2008 5:08:05 PM

0 Boost

Yes , I can also find on google about hackers from other parts of the world .

zorbeeze - 11/28/2008 1:32:39 PM

+1 Boost

So let's say there's a guy who's been working for GM for 25 years now, ever since he was 25. How much would someone like that make?
And say the truth becaus i've already gotten 2 answers, 1 from a retired gm employee and another from an automotive industry analyst.