VW building $1 billion factory in Tennessee; plans to triple U.S. sales by 2018

[sigma]

Originally Posted by YupYupYup

You might want to re-check the platform of the party you support. Liberal (not saying you are liberal, democrat or anything else) policies are the root of this...

You know as someone who attended public schools in the Bay Area and never experienced President's Day discussions of slavery, I have serious doubts about the veracity of your claims.

[vsd]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

That's an odd thought. But since "patriotism" is now considered xenophobic, I should not be surprised. American schools celebrate Cinco de Mayo with fiestas. They celebrate President's Day talking about slavery.

If you were a true patriot you would look upon schools having a fiesta for Cinco de Mayo with great pride, because America, the "melting pot", makes it possible for people from all over the world to come here and share and mix their cultures with others who all come from different cultures without fear of persecution. In a way a fiesta is what America is all about. And even though slavery was a big part of US history classes I was in, we celebrated Presidents day by learning about the likes of George Washington, and Lincoln, and it just so happened that slavery was a big part of some of these presidents legacies.

[GAIntrigue]

Originally Posted by Smoothcat

As a resident of Chattanooga, thanks. The town is definitely excited about this development, as it seemed to be a lock to go to Huntsville, Alabama (ironically, near my previous home). It is good for the people here who have lost jobs in the past. Chattanooga used to have a large manufacturing base, but had lost quite a bit of it over the past couple of decades. Hopefully the factory will provide good-paying jobs to those in need.

Obviously, I wish this were GM expanding into the area and not a German company. Unfortunately this is just a sign of the times. I do not wish to buy a VW-made car at any point in the future, regardless of whether it is made here. However, I do appreciate their investment in the area. Hopefully VW can find a way to meet their target for sales in the US without doing much harm to GM - and if it comes at the expense of Toyota, I'll be fine with that.

As another resident of Chattanooga here, I have not seen so much excitement in this town in a very long time. My brother lives in Madison, AL, very near the competing site. I couldn't help but shoot him a quick text message when the news broke.

Just as a dose of reality, after hearing and witnessing the after-effects of the Saturn plant in Spring Hill from all the time I spent in that area over the last several years, I have to admit I'm just as glad to see it not be a GM plant here. The vast majority of the jobs at the Saturn plant did not go to local Tennesseans. Those employees were GM transplants for the most part from Michigan due to the UAW. It's one of the reasons the Nashville Predators almost always sell-out whenever the Detroit Redwings come to town to play. I'm glad to see the jobs come in, and I'll be more ecstatic when I see the local populace reap the rewards by filling the jobs once the factory is up and running.

I have to admit the VW Eos is a nice looking car. But, with the price of fuel, I'm not so sure my next ride won't be a scooter with an older, small car as backup. The climate here is great for riding a bike at least 9 months out of the year.

[kenman923]

After all these years, VW is getting into the act of building in America.

[genjy]

Originally Posted by kenman923

After all these years, VW is getting into the act of building in America.

VW has been building cars and engines in Mexico and S. America for more than a decade.

Building in the U.S. isn't that far of a stretch for the company.

[TORRED1]

VW used to build the Rabbit here in western PA, in westmorland county not to far from Pittsburgh. They were here just under 10 yrs, The state built roads ect, gave them Tax breaks, and on and on. but the rabbits did not sell well and they closed up shop. They took our money and then left. How much money is Tennessee offering them, watch out!! they just might end up screwing you to.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by 2012Aveo

I think there is nothing wrong with nationalism based on "Megescuro's" definition as long as it includes all Americans not just those of European ancestry. An interesting fact that may shock many GMI nationalist: By the year 2040 Americans of European ancestry will be a minority in the USA. Not meant to be be political but just a fact based on current demographic trends.

No. There is nothing technically wrong with my definition of nationalism. Except that most people misconstrue nationalism for patriotism.

So what if Americans of European descent will become the minority? You act like that's a negative. That is also a nationalistic comment. They're Americans, are they not, no matter where their ancestries lie. And I'm sure they'd be proud to be Americans. They're patriotic too. So why would it matter? Unless you're afraid that white people will be a minority.

People on GMI pretend to be patriotic but are in fact nationalistic. And not in the good sense. America is right. America is never wrong. Anyone who disagrees is a commie. And then they go around and buy their LG and Samsung phones. And they diss the Olympic team because no one cares about the Olympics anyways.

So much for national pride, huh??

Like I said, nationalism is often misplaced -- whether it is Americans or Germans or japanese or British. But at least they have pride in their own Olympic team.

[rkuk2k]

Originally Posted by HoosierRon

The only difference I can discern in these two definitions is that the patriot takes pride in his country and other countries, while the nationalist takes pride in his country alone. Is this what you mean: that a patriot is someone who takes pride in other people's countries?

I've never thought of you as anything more than racist and deluded

I'm surprised VW have to build a new factory- there are so many empty lately thanks to the big 3, oh well, it will be interesting to see how it goes, they will probably live to regret it in 10 years!!

[BigThreeForever]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

So what if Americans of European descent will become the minority? You act like that's a negative.

You act like that's a positive.

Why will it be better when the culture that founded and created America been eclipsed by others? I think we deserve an explanation.

[Ssom]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Perhaps I made it too simple.

Patriotism and nationalism are linked.
However, nationalism holds the belief that "my nation is right... everyone else is wrong..." Patriotism is positive support for individuals/groups/countries. Nationalism, has that aspect and contain the ideology that can promote patriotic attitudes, but can make universal assertions based on an approved ideology.

Nationalism, for example, can lead to ethnic cleansing. Patriotism will not.

Yep, Patriotism is "Yeah your country is all good and you're entitled to what I enjoy, but by god I love this country"

Nationalism is "My country rules, **** all the rest of yous, give me your oil and GTFO of here."

This board often gives me the impression of the latter. I'm all for patriotism, but too much nationalistic BS is being chucked about under the banner of "Patriotism".

[SimonDavid]

the question is - will it be a UAW plant? I think not....

[GAIntrigue]

Originally Posted by SimonDavid

the question is - will it be a UAW plant? I think not....

If they wanted that kind of hassle, they'd built the plant in Michigan. Modern businesses must be fluid and dynamic in order to be successful not handcuffed by a union that maintains a mindset going back forty or fifty years.

This factory is not only a win for Tennessee. Families in North Georgia and North Alabama will also benefit.

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by BigThreeForever

You act like that's a positive.

Why will it be better when the culture that founded and created America been eclipsed by others? I think we deserve an explanation.

The current culture already eclipses that backward culture (by today's standards) that "founded and created America". And those founders' culture eclipsed the culture prior to theirs.

Change isn't bad. But stagnation certainly is. History is littered with the corpses of some very great civilizations that withered and died because they tried to maintain the status quo, rejected "foreign" influences. Of COURSE the current culture will be eclipsed by the next one. Whether it's european based, american indian based, asian based, Fijian based, or whatever - it doesn't matter.

One of the big reasons that the American culture flourished was the acceptance (not always easy) of "foreigners", and foreign ideas. Picking and choosing the "best". Would we be better off now if we (just the privelaged we of course) still wore powdered wigs, kept slaves, and lived on plantations? I am thinking not.

Would we be better off if VW built those same cars in Germany instead of Tennessee? I don't see how.

History. It's not just for old people.

[SimonDavid]

Originally Posted by GAIntrigue

If they wanted that kind of hassle, they'd built the plant in Michigan. Modern businesses must be fluid and dynamic in order to be successful not handcuffed by a union that maintains a mindset going back forty or fifty years.

This factory is not only a win for Tennessee. Families in North Georgia and North Alabama will also benefit.

I totally agree, that's the point I was making, efficient businesses can still make money out of US manufacturing

[ericmvest]

Originally Posted by TORRED1

VW used to build the Rabbit here in western PA, in westmorland county not to far from Pittsburgh. They were here just under 10 yrs, The state built roads ect, gave them Tax breaks, and on and on. but the rabbits did not sell well and they closed up shop. They took our money and then left. How much money is Tennessee offering them, watch out!! they just might end up screwing you to.

Your right, VW opperated the Westmoreland Plant from 1978 to 1987. They took over a plant that Chrysler decided not to complete. I believe Sony took over this plant after VW left. Also, VW bought a former DOD missle plant run by Voight Aircraft on 16 Mile and Van Dyke in Sterling Heights, Michigan shortly before they decided to close manufacturing in the United States. VW never converted this plant to automotive production. They subsequently sold this plant to Chrysler and this is the plant were the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Advenger is manufactured. From VW's past performance it makes you question their staying power in the United States as a car manufacturer.