These companies have been doing so good lately with everyone only wanting trucks and SUV’s as there is insane markup on those types of vehicles. The companies can afford to pass along some of those profits to their workers.
Trucks and SUVs are popular. But people do want economy cars-- they’ve just stopped selling them. These larger vehicles classify as light trucks and don’t have the same fuel economy and emissions regulations as reasonably-sized cars. It’s a big scam.
People don’t want domestic economy cars. People who like domestic brands want trucks and SUV’s. People who want economy cars will pretty much only look at Honda/Toyota and both those manufacturers still make economy vehicles.
I have never once seen someone online recommend a ford focus or Chevy cruze to anyone. It’s always a carolla/Camry or civic/accord.
I can’t claim to come with an army but I’ll recommend the Ford Fusion Hybrid all day long.
People don’t want them because they have a rep for being terrible.
And yes I own a civic. A sedan is already more car than I need.
This is part of the ploy to continue that: get the employees to get pay from the union to carry signs for a few weeks. In the mean time they can sell what inventory they have at full price instead of discounts, and when inventory gets low enough they settle the contract and make more cars. there is probably some at GM who is looking at inventory levels (all those cars made in 2021 that didn’t get chips), and will make an unreasonable demand if it looks like the contract is close to being settled.
This is why Just in Time is good: it forces companies to treat their people well so they are able to work when there is need.