Chrysler plants shut down: Lack of Plastics...

[Brock Samson]

here's the news flash:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/22963805/for/cnbc/

discussion on allpar with alot of links:
http://www.allpar.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=100693

  Interesting stuff FYI:

[bull]

You do realize that when you post a link to allpar those who click on it have to be registered members to see what you're talking about, right?

[Brock Samson]

  No bull, i wasn't aware of that.  Thanks for the tip. 

[dukeboy_318]

just another sign that their days are limited 

[Big Lebowski]

  Well, one look at the cracked plastic dash on my '99 Quad cab Ram 2500 4x4 (and all other other '98-'02 Rams) is proof that somebody's plastic butt needs to be kicked & tossed into the volcano? Right? Am I wrong? At least my dash isn't caved in like my buddies '01 Ram.

[dukeboy_318]

  Well, one look at the cracked plastic dash on my '99 Quad cab Ram 2500 4x4 (and all other other '98-'02 Rams) is proof that somebody's plastic butt needs to be kicked & tossed into the volcano? Right? Am I wrong? At least my dash isn't caved in like my buddies '01 Ram.

hmmm, both mine and my grandfathers 98/99 rams 2500 4x4 diesels dont have cracked glass and niether or store inside, heck niether is faded much either

[Big Lebowski]

  Well, one look at the cracked plastic dash on my '99 Quad cab Ram 2500 4x4 (and all other other '98-'02 Rams) is proof that somebody's plastic butt needs to be kicked & tossed into the volcano? Right? Am I wrong? At least my dash isn't caved in like my buddies '01 Ram.

hmmm, both mine and my grandfathers 98/99 rams 2500 4x4 diesels dont have cracked glass and niether or store inside, heck niether is faded much either

   I heard some plastic dashes were better than others, depending on the manufacturer.

[hemihead]

just another sign that their days are limited 

That is Mopar's supplier . That really has nothing to do with Chrysler making them . I think this has to do with another company that wants to slash blue collar wages . Plastic manufacturing companies are notorious for minimum wage , no benefit jobs .

[Brock Samson]

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN0565344420080205

the bigger picture:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080204/BUSINESS01/80204025/0/SPORTS09
excerpt:
Chrysler, which says it idled four plants and 10,500 workers on Monday, cancelled its contracts with the Dearborn-based supplier on Friday and has sued the supplier for thousands of molds and dies used to make some 500 parts for its vehicles.

That move, Plastech says, forced the supplier to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection the same day, after years of financial problems, in large part because of the rising price of oil, the key ingredient in its plastic parts.

The action by Chrysler, controlled by private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management since last summer, is a sign that the automaker is not going to prop up financially distressed suppliers, said Erich Merkle, auto analyst with Grand Rapids-based IRN Inc.

"Cerberus is coming into it and saying, 'You know what, this isn't they way business should be done.'"

Both companies say they are fighting for their survival.

Without Plastech's tools, Chrysler said its production is at risk. This week alone, the situation stands to cost Chrysler $225 million, said Chrysler attorney Michael Hammer during a court hearing today.

[69charger2002]

i have to agree. i have owned about 10-15 94-02 rams, and only 1 has survived without getting a cracked/busted dash. and i love the interior in these trucks. but those dashes get so screwed.. why in the world would they make them that thin. my wife's 01 durango is padded and looks mint still.
trav