There’s a television commercial from a few years ago, a recruiting spot for the U.S. Army. It features a young soldier in training, jumping into a fox hole with a smile on his face and all the exuberance of the proverbial “kid in a candy store.”
The recruit, face painted, a full pack strapped to his back and rifle in hand, shouts out, “Good morning, first sergeant.”
I’ve never been in the military, but from the stories I’ve heard from friends who served, it’s not quite what the commercial represents.
Which brings me to the announcement this week of Fortune Magazine’s list of the “100 Best Companies To Work For.”
Only the employees of the companies know for sure. But in terms of the automotive industry, the Fortune list may provide an insight into part of the problem for the workforce employed by auto working manufacturers and their affiliated companies.
Only one automotive industry company, CarMax, made the list — at No. 46.
Based in Richmond, Virginia, CarMax is the country’s largest used-car dealer. It has a “no-haggle” policy and is often cited for its forwarding thinking. It has onsite nurses, for example, at 11 locations.
CarMax, www.carmax.com, was described by Fortune as “having a diverse staff” and “A friendly place to work.”
The selection of CarMax, though, prompts one question: What must General Motors, Chrysler, etc., be thinking?
Article Last Updated: January 23, 2008.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
