State of Auto Industry in WNY??? (Buffalo, Cheektowaga: price, moving, bill)

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

I grew up in the Lockport-Gasport area and worked at Harrision Radiator Division from '80-'94 before moving west. Still lots of memories of lots of good people and great food in the area-you can't get a decent order of wings, a beef on 'weck or even good pizza or sub in the west. (Otherwise I love it here, small price to pay, but that's another story). I'm wondering, how badly is the downturn in the auto industry hurting the area? Between HRD (Delphi), Chevy Tonawanda and the forge, plus all of their suppliers, I'd expect things are rough. Have there been major plant closures in the last few years? Does it look like Delphi is going to make it?

Best of luck to everyone in the area.

Brian in Idaho (NY Refugee)

[Jonnno]

Toyman - American Axle is virtually gone from WNY. The only thing they have left is the plant in Cheektowaga. Around 250 people work there . Delphi Lockport is down to around 2500 people. Technically Delphi is still in Chapter 11 and can't get financing to come out of it so it's anyone's guess if they will make it. Since GM is their largest customer and with their problems I don't see how Delphi can survive. GM Tonawanda is down to around 1500 people so the auto industry in WNY is a shadow of what it used to be

[Toyman at Jewel Lake]

Originally Posted by Jonnno

Toyman - American Axle is virtually gone from WNY. The only thing they have left is the plant in Cheektowaga. Around 250 people work there . Delphi Lockport is down to around 2500 people. Technically Delphi is still in Chapter 11 and can't get financing to come out of it so it's anyone's guess if they will make it. Since GM is their largest customer and with their problems I don't see how Delphi can survive. GM Tonawanda is down to around 1500 people so the auto industry in WNY is a shadow of what it used to be

Man that's rough, I didn't realize things were that bad. I think Delphi was around 5000 when I left, lots of good people there. I know a lot of them took the GM retirement plan when they split off. I also hadn't realized they were still in Chapter 11.

Has there been enough growth in other businesses to make up for the loss?

[JustinH]

Originally Posted by Toyman at Jewel Lake

Man that's rough, I didn't realize things were that bad. I think Delphi was around 5000 when I left, lots of good people there. I know a lot of them took the GM retirement plan when they split off. I also hadn't realized they were still in Chapter 11.

Has there been enough growth in other businesses to make up for the loss?

I can't think of any growth in the Lockport area.

Buffalo is becoming bill collector central, there are several of the larger bill collecting companies in Buffalo and surrounding suburbs..