Jul 7, 2026 · 27 min · 8 segments
July 7, 2026 ~ Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox criticized Rep. John James' business ties to imports from China and outlined his manufacturing agenda during a media event outside…
Mike CoxGuestDave MartinGuestRachel SmolkovitzGuestClaraLizAnd yes, it's a little bit over 40 years, but who's counting? I went to work at Chrysler, one of the original big three at the beginning.
It was a great career opportunity with many of us that were proud to be there and be all part of Chrysler.
Chrysler provided my family and I wonderful benefits and a reasonable starting salary.
Back then, parents always hoped that their sons and daughters would end up in the auto industry.
Well, unfortunately, up stepped the offshore suppliers, Michigan's businesses and unemployment levels went through the roof, and we had a hard time with all the offshore movement.
Every OEM wanted something produced with extremely low Every OEM wanted something produced with extremely low labor and manufacturing costs, which equated to substantial profits for every OEM and huge return for offshore suppliers.
As a result, we produced quality products in Michigan, and we were then eclipsed by lower quality imports.
Bear in mind, this state, Michigan, still has talent, skill, and the ability to build quality products.
Hi, my name is Rachel Smolkovitz, and I've worked in the auto industry for 27 years, all of them at Chrysler, now Stellantis at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan.
Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of outsourcing jobs and important, cheap foreign auto parts has had on the auto industry.
From what I have witnessed, outsourcing limits our ability to be successful because it takes the responsibility and the control out of our hands and puts it in the hands of someone else.
When I started my career, we cut our own carpet flooring for the vehicles, we built our own instrument panels, and had a facility in Detroit where we manufactured our own glass.
Back then, the company and the workers had more control over the supply, the quality, and the timing, and we could hold each other accountable.
The problem with outsourcing is that we lose control over whether foreign companies or producing quality products are quality parts for our customers, and if customers keep having to bring their vehicles back to the dealership for repairs, eventually they're going to get tired of that and they'll go somewhere else.
And yes, it's a little bit over 40 years, but who's counting? I went to work at Chrysler, one of the original big three at the beginning.
It was a great career opportunity with many of us that were proud to be there and be all part of Chrysler.
Chrysler provided my family and I wonderful benefits and a reasonable starting salary.
Back then, parents always hoped that their sons and daughters would end up in the auto industry.
Well, unfortunately, up stepped the offshore suppliers, Michigan's businesses and unemployment levels went through the roof, and we had a hard time with all the offshore movement.
Every OEM wanted something produced with extremely low Every OEM wanted something produced with extremely low labor and manufacturing costs, which equated to substantial profits for every OEM and huge return for offshore suppliers.
As a result, we produced quality products in Michigan, and we were then eclipsed by lower quality imports.
Bear in mind, this state, Michigan, still has talent, skill, and the ability to build quality products.
Hi, my name is Rachel Smolkovitz, and I've worked in the auto industry for 27 years, all of them at Chrysler, now Stellantis at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan.
Throughout my career, I have witnessed firsthand the impact of outsourcing jobs and important, cheap foreign auto parts has had on the auto industry.
From what I have witnessed, outsourcing limits our ability to be successful because it takes the responsibility and the control out of our hands and puts it in the hands of someone else.
When I started my career, we cut our own carpet flooring for the vehicles, we built our own instrument panels, and had a facility in Detroit where we manufactured our own glass.
Back then, the company and the workers had more control over the supply, the quality, and the timing, and we could hold each other accountable.
The problem with outsourcing is that we lose control over whether foreign companies or producing quality products are quality parts for our customers, and if customers keep having to bring their vehicles back to the dealership for repairs, eventually they're going to get tired of that and they'll go somewhere else.
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