For The Record...GM closed in 2008 NOT 2009.

These stories are not posted to actually to debate the issue of GM coming back to Janesville or not, manufacturing plants are done with Janesville , to keep moral high the Janesville gazette distributes these types of stories to get people to believe there is still hope for this city. But the reality is inevitable.

RichE95 - I can only speak to the states I've actually lived in and have seen the results of low income. I've seen the results in that state where union and non-union workers due the same job and the union is required to represent both to the detriment of both. As far as my view on Iowa goes, I've always thought that Iowa was big in agribusiness and less about other industrial jobs. I don’t think agribusiness has ever been a hot bed of union activity. I haven’t spent a lot of time in Iowa so that is about all I have.

There is a tendency to compare Wisconsin with right to work states in the south. Those states were not historically industrial. Their starting point was markedly lower than Wisconsin. They are now gaining in population and income - the historic gap is closing fast. I use the example of Iowa becuase it is a right to work state in Wisconsin's neighborhood and is thus even closer to an apple to apple comparison. Does retired-fed consider Iowans as immersed in poverty compared to Wisconsin?

MBHammer - that really has nothing to do with right to work. That has to do with people getting paid a living wage. Unions at least strive to get their employees better wages and benefits. As I've said before right to work states tend to have depressed wages and standards of living for the working class.

Doesn't it bother the Right to Work proponents that the median income in America cannot purchase the median house?

I believe Wisconsin will have to change their attitude and their extremely unfair tax methods before GM returns to this state. We have to be a right to work state and either get rid of unions or restrict their power.

retiredfed, such high regard for your fellow American. As Tom Snyder used to say, "twas ever thus".

Dohner doesn't look like a union thug. He looks more like a union hack.

RichE95 – I am not defending unions. I’m sure most people can remember deadbeats at a workplace regardless of whether it was unionized or not. My point was that people who are willing to take a job in a unionized workplace, accept the benefits, and pay that the union negotiates for but are unwilling to pay dues are parasites and leeches. Wisconsin IS a right to work state in the right way. You have a right to work anywhere you want. The difference is if the place you want to work is unionized you have to pay dues to get the rewards. If you prefer not to pay union dues there are a lot of non-union places to work in Wisconsin. As far as a new housing neighborhood on west side of Des Moines the reality of new houses doesn’t equate to union or non-union or the point I was making. There were new houses in the state I moved from but there was also tremendous poverty because of the depressed wages.

I know that Billy, I was in a round about way pointing out that OKC never should have been closed. I was there at the meeting when it was announced by Joe Speilman that OKC was closing. He did not give us a reason for the closure. He told us that it was not us, the workforce.

they seriously need to close their mouth,cuz all it sounds like is blah,blah,blah then big piles of crap just falls out,lol.if janesville is not considered,why even get these peoples hopes up,and thats all theyre doing,so either put up or shut up.have a nice day.

Thanks Billy for the update on Oklahoma. retired fed - "union officials - hard work" ??? Is that what you call sleeping in the union office on double time because a contractor is in the plant? Encouraging workers to write thousands of grievences? I suppose that does take some effort. As far as right to work states go - I wonder who lives in all the new homes and shops at all the new stores in Iowa (a right to work state). Go the west side of Des Moines and take a look.

OKC is no longer owned by General Motors Company or Motors Liquidation Co. (or "Old GM"). The State of OK purchased it and now leases it to the Air Force.

Joan>thanks again for elaborating on your fantasy world.

taxandspend - in a right to work state as you appear to hope that Walker creates here non-union members benefit from the hard work of union officials and the dues the union members pay while they get by without paying. Do I understand you correctly? In my opinion, the people like that are parasites and leaches. Their willingness to accept the benefits without paying dues hurts the union and non-union workers alike. Corporations are the only ones who make out in right to work states. I recently moved back to Wisconsin from a right to work state. Everyone’s wages except Corporate Executives in that state are depressed. I hope Wisconsin is never foolish enough to chase the South to the bottom of the economic ladder.

I agree that the facility is old. That will work against Janesville. I was at the Saturn facility in Tennessee and it was like a campus. They certainly would seem to be the first choice. However, the bottom line, especially if GM breaks clear from the government, is total cost. That can overtake the age of the buildings. The other problem seems to remain that the voice of GM in Janesville remains the UAW. GM allowed the union to be that voice a number of years ago and it didn't bode well. The last Plant Manager even chose to live in Illinois. It was as if they were already writing off Janesville. A new local contract after the closing was set was also a sad commentary. Whatever, as the article pointed out, GM will have to be much stronger than now for Janesville to have a chance.

It would be a stupid decision to open that old structure when you consider much more modern facilities that GM closed.

I agree that it was an excellent article. It pointed out facts overlooked in many comments. When training was underway for the Medium Duty Truck one of the trainers was an old GM hand. He made the point that job security at a plant requires that every square foot possible be utilized for every hour possible with the manufacture of product. GM management seems to have finally got that message. It means that the new GM must grow much bigger and sell much more before Janesville will be considered. The only glimmer of hope is the retention of the plant in the new GM Oklahoma City is not part of the new GM and will never be considered. It was a newer plant but my understanding is that something went wrong with the relationship between GM and the State of Oklahoma over taxation.

Oreally - Doyle failed at convincing them also. GM's failures is not the fault of the Government and they should be damn happy they were bailed out.

Governor Scotty Walker says that "Wisconsin is open for business." Too bad he lacks the ability to convince General Motors of that. GM execs don't seem too impressed by his punkish, peevish approach to governance.

Jim - I want to point out that some of the plants with remaining capacity can only produce existing products. So, if they want to produce more Silverados, they would have to open up another plant since Fort Wayne is maxed out.

I would love to see an analysis of forecasted demand vs. existing capacity taking that into consideration.

Thanks again Jim! Great article.

...I'll qualify the quality product with an "affordable price". Wages have stagnated horribly in the last 20 years. Not everyone can shell out +30k for a car, truck or van. Make a vehicle that is a little more stripped down (leave in the A/C) and can fit a family in it that is still a quality build, and realize that gas will never go down that much ever again. People will buy it.

I would be careful not to rule out the Janesville plant coming back at some kind of capacity. Only GM knows what it needs. What they would have here is a very eager workforce. I have a feeling old Scotty would grease the treads quite nicely for them as well though I'm sure there have been overtures on WI's part, just as before.

American's need to make things. Everyone can't go to college, push papers and administrate. Nothing wrong with getting your hands dirty, and I hope GM remembers that about Americans. It's all academic without products that are on par with their competitors. Right now Ford's doing pretty well, which is good for GM. I think more people would buy American cars if they felt the quality was better. After my last two GM vehicles, I would be less likely to buy another, but I'd give them another chance if they can come out with a decent product and put American's back to work.

Tenn.is still running in some capacity.Parts or engines or something.Its also a newer plant.I believe Janesville needs a upgraded paint area,and thats nine figures at least.But I believe Tenn cant run the bigger vehicles pick ups etc.

Joan - You cannot be serious?

Honestly, can't we go one single issue of the newspaper without mention of GM somewhere in it?

916WI the people at the plant are skill trades they are there until contract! Not sure why and a couple of security people are there too. To make sure nobody try's crashing the place.

Joan - I hope they do reopen here someday. However, being put on standby does not guarantee they will eventually open.

One more comment - wow - lots of people think this is never going to happen. I can't wait to laugh at all of you naysayers when it obviously will. They put GM on standby status along with Tennessee. Is that not clear? Means they will open eventually, and now it looks like sooner rather than later.

I can't wait to laugh!

Jim - thank you for the great, thorough analysis. I should have been more patient! I thought the Gazette was refraining from running this story. Instead, you were just doing a bang up job.

I should know better!

so they are having a good couple of years, with what happen over in Japan that will help GM out alot. But they will crash again, just give them time. Japan still makes a better car, and no union in the back room stealing all the profits from the Automaker. Once again give it up Janesville it won't happen.

Then why form an opinion then? If it will or it wont.. neither you nor I know. Do you think it will happen before the world ends in 2012?

I'm not sure what I find more irritating! The Gazette for insisting on running these stories or the people who actually think it's going to happen.

Never...gonna...happen.

No offense but it would be ridiculous for GM to reopen the Janesville plant, an obsolete structure compared to the OKC plant where I worked that was spacious and modern by comparison, a 460 acre site that was closed down with never a reason given as to why it was closed. I work at the Kansas location and it is like working in a phone booth compared to the OKC facility which had a much better floor layout. It would seem very, very odd if they did open the old Janesville barn for business.

First and foremost G overnment M otors need to pay back the taxpayer bailout money!

"Much must happen before GM returns to Janesville"

Yes, swine must evolve to the point where they have wings and learn to fly.

To quote Dr. McCoy, "I'm a doctor, Jim, not a veterinarian! This horse is dead!"

I won't be holding my breath.

Question, will they need additional bailout money to fund the plant reopening?

The building still has equipment inside that is being legally salvaged by contractors -- that was the word last time this came up.

This horse has been beat to death, I see the gazette has dug up the carcass for more beatings. GM isn't coming back, atleast not anytime soon and if they do don't expect the high dollar wages

Woodsmen....Those people are most likely squatters who are not working at the plant, but living in it. If they left their cars outside they would either get vandalized, towed because they were suspected of being abandoned, or completely lost in the forest of weeds the parking lot has become........

Think about it,people working right now at the Janesville plant, parking on the inside so the long necks can't see them,i believe it's going to happen,soooooooooooon!

The party is over now let's move on.

GM Assmebly is never returning to Janesville. Its over it was a nice run. But its over.

Did I miss something? Why is Dohner saying "the good news for Janesville is that they are still talking about us." Huh?! Where are they still talking about Janesville? Not in this article and not from any GM folks.

Here we go again....yawn.....

Gas prices by themselves do not affect overall automotive sales that much. They do affect WHAT people buy. For example, if gas prices rise, it may make sense to trade your SUV in for something with lower mileage. GM now has cars like the Cruze that are not just gas-sippers but have better overall amenities and build quality than the company used to offer.
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The industry generally seems to feel that pretty much evreything GM has done post-bankruptcy has been good for the long term (partly because GM was in so much trouble long-term because of its steadily shrinking sales and high man-hours-per-car), but it's very hard to say if it's really good in the short term, because the short term is dicey even for the automakers in good shape like Ford and Toyota.
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poorrichard - Its about the only real car GM has left. No one wants disposable front wheel drive junk. At least a vette will be worth something 10 years after you buy it. Who wants to spend $20k on a car that in 7-8 years is worth $1500. ?
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Also thank the govt, the tree huggers,DOT, NTSB, and the EPA for cracking down on all the emissions (costly $$$$) making them cut power and reduce emissions and then adding all the weight for safety BS making them get crappy mileage. Cars are expensive, people are jobless all because of peoples paranoia of gloBULL warming and crap....which is a made up thing to drive prices up.

Does this respected industry analyst fly with pigs

Well, these big companies and CEO's keep getting more and more profits. They can afford to get as many Corvettes as they want.

How can GM add 250 jobs at the Corvette factory? Who is buying these $55-70K cars-boy I wish I could. More power to em.

A 2 year Degree to work on a assembly line at 14.00 dollars an hour, good luck finding that worker.

Nothing will be opening again if they don't get the price of gasoline situation under control!

Oh geez!
Here we go again.
Another car rolls off the Fagan lot and suddenly GM is reopening again.