US car industry runs out of road
Published 27 November, 2008, 06:19
The U.S. state of Michigan used to be the throbbing heart of the once-mighty American auto industry and a vital employer. But the current financial crisis has brought this engine of U.S. business near the brink of collapse and some Michigan residents are now in a fight for survival.
Statistics says one in ten jobs in the U.S. is linked to the auto industry.
This means its collapse could turn into more than a catastrophe.
Years ago the town of Flint was the centre of America’s auto-making life. But with many plants being shut down, it has become a place of devastation.
A large part of the population had to move, others were forced to stay behind and deal with the harsh realities of a collapsing economy. Every day is now a struggle for survival.
Many people can’t afford new cars so they’re forced to fix what they have. But car service manager Damian Dean says this hasn’t improved life much.
Residents Angelle and Nate Moon have four kids and when their children are at school, they try to figure out how to support them.
Angelle says their life has been especially hard in recent months.
“I’m trying to make sure my kids have a nice birthday and Christmas. And – well – birthdays are coming first this year. Instead of rent,” Angelle says.
Former Chrysler employee Aijalon McLittle became homeless at 61. He could no longer support himself after being fired from a car factory where he worked for 15 years.
“They laid me off at one plant and then I got a job at another one, and they laid me off there as well. It’s difficult finding little part-time jobs to continue to survive with. In a city like Detroit, you need something steady,” McLittle says.
So many people living in Michigan have nothing left to do but wait for the government to jerk the economy out of its coma.
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