Ford spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US.

The last quarter's results:
TOYOTA made 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

(Toyota pays about 2/3 what Ford has been paying.)

Wages are relevant - but mostly as an example of the 'Big 3's' inability to achieve accord with unions.

As long as Detroit views union workers as 'hairy apes', they will never produce a competitive product.

It could be argued that Toyota pays its workers a much higher wage - albeit partially in respect and human courtesies - wages for the soul.

I'd rather work at Toyota for $40.00/hr than at G.M. for $80. Seriously.

The Detroit Circle is Mgmnt disses the Unions, the Unions get payback at strike time. Would any other company live with a cycle in which they were shut down for 3 to 6 months every 3rd year? That is the pinnacle of management ineptitude.

Speaking of poor management: GM is at a standstill because its one (sole, single, unitary, unique even) axle supplier is on strike. Does this union realize its negotiating power? Will they use it to extract blood? Does anyone have to tune in later to see the outcome?

Blame Henry and his stopwatches.