Yesterday, AAM hosted a conference call to discuss the U.S. auto industry crisis.  AAM Executive Director Scott Paul offered talking points in favor of some form of rescue for the Big Three, noting that the overall American economy is on the line.  As he explained it, the auto industry has an enormous multiplier relationship throughout the U.S. economy.  And thus the old adage: So Goes Detroit, So Goes America.  

The reason for this is that the U.S. auto industry supports as many as one in 10 American jobs, and is the largest domestic customer for steel, plastics, electronics, computer chips, iron, copper, and aluminum.

In an insightful editorial, Scripps Howard’s Ann McFeatters picked up on Paul’s observation that the 1979 Chrysler bailout worked.  McFeatters noted that ”The loan was paid back, the government got an additional $500 million, and the nation got the family minivan.”

  Congress continues to mull a rescue for the auto industry.  As  they do, ManufactureThis provides a link to yesterday’s conference call, which featured a lively discussion.  Anyone wanting to learn more about the current auto crisis is encouraged to tune in by clicking here.

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This entry was posted on Friday, November 21st, 2008 at 7:53 pm and is filed under AAM, Manufacturing in the U.S.. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.