MsPerky

I see the bad news about GM reducing its workforce by 15%. Closing plants in MI, OH, MD and Ontario. Can't be good news for those areas already suffering economic hardship. I did see that some of the workers might be able to transfer to the more profitable plants but many who have ties to those areas would not want that option. I guess plants can't be retrofitted to produce the cars people are buying?

dlq04

By now you've heard the President's threats. So much for this topic in this thread....must go to politics to stay up on the issue.

Legal Bill

Well, we can talk about the business plan. this isn't much different from the Ford move that everyone was commenting on a few months ago. The American made passenger car as we knew it is dead. Specialty cars and SUVs and trucks are what it is all about. GM spun it's model line discontinuations as going green. Ok, whatever. When you cut products out of your lime you are going to end up with surplus plants. Time to get rid of the old, inefficient plants is my guess. And yes, labor rates may figure into that decision.

MsPerky

Right...I was trying to keep this at the business level.

dlq04

GM’s sales in China have dropped for five months and they are facing their first annual drop in at least two decades. This used to be their cushion when local sales slumped. Japanese SUV’s and compacts are taking their sales. Plants are being closed in China and Korea as well as US. Closing GM’s Oshawa plant is a $2.3B blow to the Canadian supply industry. Actually they should have taken this action before now, like Ford did. That’s all I can say without getting into Politics.

MsPerky

Amazon continues to be a factor in the housing demand here in Arlington. Prices are up and inventory is down. And here is a very local story about the renovation coming to our Metro station (Rosslyn). Long overdue. Lots of redevelopment going on in the hood near the station, also.

https://www.bizjournals.com/washingt...ml?ana=wtop_bd

Anything new in your neck of the woods?

s2000Junky

The Puget sound is crazy as usual. 100's of people moving here everyday, busting at the seams.

MsPerky

^ My nephew relocated from Seattle here for a new job 1.5 years ago. They love this area and had wanted to move for awhile. One factor was the weather. They wanted more outdoor days for the girls. I'm sure there were other reasons, also. In any event, we are very happy they did. He also said that housing cost them more there than here. That surprised me a bit, since it is quite expensive here.

s2000Junky

Yeah housing has got pretty nuts here over the last 10 years. Its rebounded from the 08 crash and then some. Its still not quite as crazy as California, but its heading that direction. A lot of high income/tech in the area bringing people in and pushing up realistate/cost of living. We have always had Boing and Microsoft, but its grown substantially of course over the last 30 years and with Amazon and everyone else. There is a lot of people being displaced/homeless increases as well. That and over population issues aside, it is a really beautiful area and it is my home, wouldn't want to be anywhere else. I was fortunate to have grown up here. But that also means I know what it was then and is now.

MsPerky

^ Interesting you say that because Amazon just announced a $3M donation to support affordable housing in Arlington.