DATE: June 01, 2009
CONTACT:
Contacts listed below, 864-656-2061
WRITER:
Media Relations, 864-656-2061
cunewsroom@clemson.edu
Clemson experts on the bankruptcy of GM and the auto industry condition
Updated June 1, 2009
The Clemson University experts listed here are available to comment on the bankruptcy of General Motors and the condition of the U.S. auto industry.
Clemson economist Scott Baier says General Motors can be competitive again following Monday’s bankruptcy announcement, but it will take time. Unlike other industries where the United States has lost market share to overseas production, the U.S. auto industry has lost market share to foreign producers operating in the United States. In the short term, however, the trickle-down impact has the potential to displace more than 100,000 workers at dealerships across the country, and in today's environment these workers may have more trouble finding jobs. For more insight on the bankruptcy impact, government control and the future of GM, contact Baier (864-656-4534) or Media Relations’ Teresa Hopkins (864-656-1222).
Scott Ellis, assistant professor of management at Clemson, has the educational experience to understand the breakdown of General Motors, as well as the professional experience. He has 20 years of engineering experience in the automotive industry. Ellis says GM’s extreme success allowed inefficiencies that were very difficult to address as the competitive landscape of the automotive industry changed. And according to Ellis, Delphi and Visteon, the primary component suppliers and former divisions of GM and Ford, respectively, are now bankrupt, and emergence from bankruptcy may require these companies to substantially reduce headcounts across the board, including research and development and engineering. He anticipates a significant change in the structure of the U.S. automotive-supply chain. For information contact Ellis (864-643-1268 or 864-656-6321), or Media Relations’ Teresa Hopkins (864-656-1222).
Editors, news directors: Also see our list of experts who can talk about the impact of the new fuel-efficiency standards on the auto industry.