If you allowed the engineers to make finance decisions you would end up with a $30,000 Focus that no one would buy because it was priced too high.
The Finance Dept. has to keep costs in line with the exepcted Sales price of the car. Can't afford to make a car that continually loses money unless it pumps your CAFE ratings up.
Remember, the Big 3 would not have to cut corners on their cars if it wasnt for the Healthcare/Pension costs they are saddled with. Imagine them dumpin $1-3K into new car in better parts. Well then you would have a good competitor to the Honda/Toyotas of the world.
Pay should be based on skill level required to do the job, not what the Unions expect for their laborers. No employee deserves $31/hr to tighten a bolt or sweep a floor.
