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LG Chem plant workers on furloughs -- Plant meant to manufacture electric car batteries

WoodTV.com -- A lakeshore company that was meant to be a beacon for alternative technology is now putting its workers on furlough.

In July of 2010, the ground-breaking of the LG Chem electric car battery factory in Holland Township was such a big deal that it brought Pres. Barack Obama to town.

But the factory has yet to make a single battery, 24 Hour News 8 has learned, and its workers are having to take furloughs.

The problem is Americans aren't buying electric cars. Spokesman Randy Bolieau confirmed via email that the plant has had rolling furloughs for all of its 200 employees since April. Production will start when market demand for the batteries increases, -- but there's no set time table on when that will happen.
But with all those employees and no scheduled date to start production,

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Submitted Sep 28, 2012 By: fracknsave

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E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,021 Points:823,240 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Oct 5, 2012 11:48:15 AM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse honda0105 asks: "too early for these to be adopted or the car makers are not doing good enough a job marketing them?" I assume that you referring to battery-electric vehicles. No, the problem is that the state of current technology, still, after a century of production, relegates battery-electric vehicles to a market niche. One to limiting too attract many buyers, despite inducements and advertising campaigns. Anticipating vehicle sales that never occurred, too many battery manufacturing start-ups were created, and their product found no buyers. Some day, when battery technology is improved, battery-electric cars may become much more popular. Of course, they will then have to compete with other, future technologies that are likely to be improved also, not just ICE or ICE-electric hybrid technology. [Edited by: E-Squirrel at 10/5/2012 2:49:37 PM EST]
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,818 Points:1,636,245 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Oct 2, 2012 9:01:13 PM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse too early for these to be adopted or the car makers are not doing good enough a job marketing them?
knutzAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,248 Points:372,680 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 7:53:47 AM Ignore knutzAL Report Abuse slicerette...........your just full of good news!
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,656 Points:1,941,820 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Oct 1, 2012 5:32:51 AM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse A pity that the technology is just not ready for practical use!
RoadKing95 Champion Author San Jose Posts:20,694 Points:3,629,965 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2012 11:45:48 AM Ignore RoadKing95 Report Abuse 5Golfer8 posted the following; >>No surprise just like Obama's yearly budget to run the white house and his jet plane staff and material costs for the past >>year was 1.4 billion dollars. So what would he care about throwing a few million away on companies that fail.<< Your numbers re. WH costs and AF1 are meaningless unless you can show what the previous administrations spent and that Obama increased it significantly
melvindale Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,438 Points:351,230 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2012 11:39:38 AM Ignore melvindale Report Abuse The short-term future of electric cars actually depends upon the presidential election. If Romney becomes president, expect the CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy, as mandated by the EPA) to be frozen where it is today, no changes. If Obama continues as president and the CAFE numbers keep the schedule they currently have, going up every year to 56 mpg fuel economy by 2025, them having 20% of the vehicles built to be full electric, and another 75% be hybrid (mind you, hybrid includes mild hybrid as well as full hybrid and everything in between), leaving only 5% of the vehicle made being regular ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) powered vehicles will be the only way to meet these goals. That is unless someone figures out how to make gas or diesel engines much more efficient. Heck, it doesn't have to gas or diesel, kerosene is a viable fuel, jet fuel is very like kerosene. Alcohol is used in Brazil, we have vehicles that can use 85% alcohol now in the USA. 85% is very close to 100%. Even hybrid vehicles can be made much more fuel efficient. The first hybrid vehicle I ever saw used a Briggs & Stratton 2 hp engine, which ran almost full out most of the time the vehicle was moving. That was 1975 and they achieved 150 mpg (I think, I'm using my faulty memory here). think how much better that would be today, with all the efficiencies we have in most cars today applied. Of course no one has used (as far as I know) a small gas turbine engine to generate electricity for a full hybrid. Gas turbines are great, they can burn anything, they can boost power using water injected at the right point to make steam and boost the output of the engine, they can be scaled up or down to almost any size, and they await their discovery as an hybrid generator for cars and trucks.
slicerette Champion Author South Bend Posts:3,673 Points:560,510 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2012 9:38:36 AM Ignore slicerette Report Abuse and it gets worse - We - the U.S. Tax Payer "granted" $250 million dollars to A123 Batteries with factory in Livonia, MI. A123 battery corp is being bought by Chinese auto parts maker. A123 is maker of Fisker electric car battery. U.S. Senator Debbie Ann Stabenow (D-MI) help get A123 $250 million in U.S. Gov't money. Chinese sinking $450 million into A123 and will take U.S. paid for technology to China. From electric car report Aug 17 - "A123 Systems, a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate lithium iron phosphate batteries and systems, announced the execution of definitive agreements with Wanxiang Group Corporation (of China). A123 and Wanxiang have signed definitive agreements, following the Aug. 8 memorandum of understating, which provides A123 with an initial credit extension of $25 million. A123 expects to receive the money this week."
knutzAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,248 Points:372,680 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2012 8:14:21 AM Ignore knutzAL Report Abuse TIDALWAVE..............except healthcare . . tomok.........the oracle of delphi . . vibdata..........why paying payroll taxes of course so its a new job . . Shakleelady31........why ya daddy in chief of course or at least he thinks he is all our daddy's . . dustyhorse..............take off the saddle big guy you got it.
southrob Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,731 Points:713,925 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2012 7:36:03 AM Ignore southrob Report Abuse and drilling would be a good idea to help the economy
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:33,578 Points:2,372,235 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 29, 2012 12:17:37 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse LG Chem plant workers on furloughs -- Plant meant to manufacture electric car batteries? When there isn't enough people buying EV's Or Inbreds, there is no demand to produce batteries for those vehicles. People will drive their current vehicles before buying anything else. There is no car payment with their current paid off vehicle! 'Coming out of the closet' Chucks lousy, smoke and mirrors, lack of jobs, dog and pony show and in the crapper economy, the jobs are Not here. Chuck's economy is not improving but continues to hurt the population and the job numbers continue to be down – no matter how smoooooth talking Chuck spins those numbers and he can spin them! People will still drive and buy fuel no matter what but it sure helps to have a job too! Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,342 Points:844,495 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 9:10:36 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse and they said we would be going bonkers over electric cars....
Eric2200 Rookie Author Dayton Posts:17 Points:2,725 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 9:09:16 PM Ignore Eric2200 Report Abuse nice
matthwbar Champion Author Toledo Posts:4,198 Points:1,044,530 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 9:06:55 PM Ignore matthwbar Report Abuse Another boondoggle..
rahcat Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:2,676 Points:689,675 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 9:04:14 PM Ignore rahcat Report Abuse Old News.
jrschl Champion Author Louisville Posts:3,102 Points:707,790 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 9:03:22 PM Ignore jrschl Report Abuse Interesting.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:6,118 Points:1,136,670 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:56:32 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse ""The problem is Americans aren't buying electric cars."" The problem is the Americans that want an EV already have one and the rest of us DO NOT want one OR DO NOT have the money for one... But the real problem is your business has no market...
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:15,682 Points:2,480,665 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:55:22 PM Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse Want to give your competitor the kiss of death? Just have Barack Hussein Obama come by and give the competitor his blessing.
Sacarface Rookie Author Massachusetts Posts:20 Points:88,000 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:54:39 PM Ignore Sacarface Report Abuse Ok
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:4,088 Points:1,533,100 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:54:32 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse .
vibdata Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:4,181 Points:866,235 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:51:49 PM Ignore vibdata Report Abuse Wonder what those other workers NOT on furlough are doing? Not a single battery? Since July 2010????? How can you still be in business??? SUBSIDIES.
SandeeC Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,124 Points:476,535 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:47:13 PM Ignore SandeeC Report Abuse Answer to Shakleelady31 - because the present said to do so! And how much money were they given to start up?
ACTown Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,353 Points:1,450,050 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:47:03 PM Ignore ACTown Report Abuse some of that free money?
bonzoonfmb Champion Author Florida Posts:1,817 Points:664,160 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:46:20 PM Ignore bonzoonfmb Report Abuse FTA: The plant was made possible in part by more than $150 million in funding from the US Department of Energy. Not one battery has been build at the new facility. 200 employees are doing nothing. The government has to get a grip on reality and stop wasting U.S. taxpayer's money.
Shakleelady31 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:594 Points:422,565 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:39:30 PM Ignore Shakleelady31 Report Abuse Why would you start a plant with that many workers when there is no demand?
tidalwave3 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:1,365 Points:1,488,745 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:38:17 PM Ignore tidalwave3 Report Abuse Apparently you can't ram something down the U.S. Citizens throat :P
DABEE1073 Champion Author San Diego Posts:8,350 Points:1,599,810 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:37:46 PM Ignore DABEE1073 Report Abuse MUST BE ANOTHER WHITE HOUSE FAVORITE.
DustyHorse Champion Author Virginia Posts:6,214 Points:1,416,580 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:37:45 PM Ignore DustyHorse Report Abuse It will be a long time before electric car demand will significantly increase. The technology was pushed before it was ready. The near term solution is compressed natural gas.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:8,052 Points:1,600,730 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:36:16 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse another Obamination
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,207 Points:2,496,565 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:35:55 PM Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse Just another boone doggle of the current administration. An electric car is nice and clean... but what the manufacturers have not done is educate the public on how they can fit into ones everyday life style along with bringing down the price so most could afford them. Price and adaptability to my lifestyle are why an electric is currently not even considered for my home.
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:32:28 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse How much *^%#%%^^& wasted tax dollars did this jerk blow away anyway?
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,174 Points:1,755,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:31:57 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse sounds like fraud to me
cheap59 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,240 Points:982,520 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:30:47 PM Ignore cheap59 Report Abuse Is there tax money involved?
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,440 Points:1,664,670 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:28:55 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse NOT GOOD NEWS!
ExplorerWA Champion Author Washington Posts:4,231 Points:823,895 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:28:49 PM Ignore ExplorerWA Report Abuse They haven't made one battery in 2 years? Tax money....figures.
danol43 Champion Author Modesto Posts:1,780 Points:612,940 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:27:41 PM Ignore danol43 Report Abuse why?
slicerette Champion Author South Bend Posts:3,673 Points:560,510 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:27:21 PM Ignore slicerette Report Abuse Obama's Dept. of Energy (DoE) granted $151 million to LG Chem back in 2009 at the request of U.S. Senator Debbie Ann Stabenow (D-MI) who is also up for re-election. Another bankrupt MI battery company A123 is being sold to the Chinese. It also received grants from DoE. U.S. Senator Debbie Ann Stabenow also wrote her bill to give $7500.00 Federal Tax Rebate for purchase of any Electric Vehicle not just American made EV's. Her bill sends U.S. tax money For EV's made in China, and Finland with money also going to Russia. A Russian bought the bankrupt Th!nk "City" Electric Car company and he's getting the U.S. Tax Rebate money.
Gibby4176 Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:102 Points:302,275 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:25:02 PM Ignore Gibby4176 Report Abuse great...
Ray_10589 Champion Author New York Posts:5,076 Points:1,209,485 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:19:14 PM Ignore Ray_10589 Report Abuse more tax payer money lost
nztyraider Champion Author Nevada Posts:2,322 Points:716,205 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:17:07 PM Ignore nztyraider Report Abuse Did I do that?
defiancegasman Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,099 Points:1,327,520 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:14:49 PM Ignore defiancegasman Report Abuse The real problem is that the BATTERIES are NOT EFFICiENT ENOUGH yet. As soon as they develope a battery that you can drive 500 miles on or recharge in a very short time and the price comes down, we will see the use go WAY UP!
Rt118E Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:9,626 Points:1,394,995 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:12:30 PM Ignore Rt118E Report Abuse This is the future
souly Champion Author Montreal Posts:1,899 Points:458,120 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:12:29 PM Ignore souly Report Abuse thanks for the post
menagerie1013 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,365 Points:711,190 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:12:18 PM Ignore menagerie1013 Report Abuse What have 200 employees been doing for over two years if they haven't built a single battery?
carpenter4u Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,476 Points:638,020 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:12:07 PM Ignore carpenter4u Report Abuse Obama does not have the golden touch
bra0712 Champion Author Arizona Posts:3,790 Points:794,825 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:11:45 PM Ignore bra0712 Report Abuse k
skyking19 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,021 Points:1,722,615 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:08:15 PM Ignore skyking19 Report Abuse chicken before the egg?
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,580 Points:788,400 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:07:06 PM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse The average US consumer buys a vehicle to fill the real or perceived transportation needs for themselves or their family if they have a family. Once the consumer has determined the needs that need to be met, they determine which available vehicles fill those needs and picks out a vehicle to buy based on utility, capital cost, operating cost, etcetera. By and large the majority of US consumers are not into making a political or environmental statement the criteria by which they pick a vehicle even if they could afford and EV in the first place. The thing that is so maddening about the media hype and the political posturing promoting electric vehicles (EV) is that they do not get the point that the current EVs available meet very few of the transportation needs of the vast majority of US consumers and the cost is way too high by at least half.
serrog Champion Author Nova Scotia Posts:5,700 Points:1,538,855 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:06:33 PM Ignore serrog Report Abuse wow
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,915 Points:844,035 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:06:33 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse I bet NoBama won't manke another visit to this plant or area for that matter - lol...
30mpg80 Champion Author Lexington Posts:10,265 Points:1,514,580 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Sep 28, 2012 8:04:24 PM Ignore 30mpg80 Report Abuse Rolling furloughs? Surprised they are not shut down completely, if they are producing nothing.