What difference does it make if Cullen were to drive a Lexus? It is really pathetic that those who want to force others to buy specific consumer items beleive that restricting the choices of others will somehow majically make GM products better.

What if Toyota/Lexus approached GM and said, we'll buy the Gm facility and we want to produce lexus/camry hybrids lcally and we need to hire 1500 assembly line employees. Would the same bigotry apply?

The Janesville Project
Investment- 5 Billion $$$ In 10 Years
Investment Source- International, Federal, State, County & Private Funds
Purpose- To bring new alternative energy sources into production, including, but not limited to, vehicle propulsion, household wind & solar applications, high capacity storage devices, etc. A cooperative effort between industry, government and education/research institutions to construct a clearinghouse for alternative energy development and production.

First Project- Create a non-fossil fuel propulsion engine to replace mid-size to large diesel engines within 3 years and autos in 5 years, including retro-fit engines for current vehicles. In 4 years Janesville would be producing the first GM AE mid-duty trucks on the current truck line.

Research & Development- The brightest scientists, engineers, & support staff from around the world would relocate to Janesville and this area would become the international center for alternative energy development. Research would start January ’09 with federal and state funding.

Manufacturing- Just as UW Research Park was built around the visionary ingenuity of UW researchers, Janesville would become an incubator for manufacturing production facilities throughout the Stateline area and beyond.

I am happy to appologize for biting on what you said is an untrue statement about a Lexus. It is good to be wrong sometimes. I stand by my statement that there should be an active or retired manager involved. That is a worthwhile suggestion. My father worked for GM one summer in 1919 and I spent 40 years there both union and non union. Yes, we all need to work together and Jim Doyle should have understood that when he formed the group.

Tim Cullen, nor his family, even own a Lexus. In fact, Tim drives a buick currently, and has owned many GM vehicles. I suggest the poster, instead of offering an unwarranted and untrue attack, try suggesting something that might make a difference. That is the hope and spirit of our comments sections.

Right on Rich. I agree. Should be a team effort.

If Tim does drive a Lexus I didn't know it. Most of Jim Doyle's Madison supporters do drive foreign. Regardless, I don't want to ride along. What I would like to see is an active or retired Salaried Employee/Manager be part of the group. It is hard to believe they were overlooked or rejected. Perhaps that is Jim Doyle at work again. A well rounded group is required.

Would we be driving in Cullen's foriegn made Lexus SUV?

Stan,
I would love to have the opportunity to accompany Tim Cullen & Brad Dutcher on their visit to the RenCen to meet with GM officials. The topic that I would bring up the most would be Janesville Assembly's continued productivity & quality gains. This is due to the strong & skilled labor pool that is Southern Wisconsin/Northern Illinois. I would make sure that Gary Cowger is present as well. Gary, along with Troy Clarke, are Kansas City guys who know manufacturing. They have had their share of new plants in KC (Leeds to Fairfax I to Fairfax II). Janesville Assembly hasn't survived since 1919 by coincidence. Great people, making quality cars & trucks has been constant. Whatever the corporation has asked of Janesville, they build. Tractors to cars to trucks back to cars to bus chassis to medium duty to current GMT900. Janesville would also be a great place for a new plant to produce Gamma, Delta 2 and e-Flex vehicles (Volt will be a hit and why not have it built in BOTH Detroit AND America's Heartland) on a flexible assembly line. Also, if the proposed government loans to automakers for retooling current plants to produce fuel efficient cars passes congress, why not use the money to build new instead of using the money for a high-cost retool when you can have a brand new flex plant for a little more. With the recent True North local agreement, Janesville has set the standard for all future agreements. New plant location off of I-90 with easy access to current rail lines and trucking. Engine & stamping plants would compliment the adjacent assembly plant. Bring in Barton Malow on the conversation as well. Have their crews working in Southern Wisconsin the next 18 months on the construction. Pattern after Lansing Delta Township, San Luis Potosi and Blue Macaw.