When it comes down to it, whether you are union or not, the cost to have you on that assembly line tightening bolts is total employee compensation. TEC is the total of all wages and benefits the company pays to have you there, including taxes.
That said, I don't think it's the engineer's fault. I believe they are capable of creating a car second to none. It really is the fault of management playing it safe and conservative, and unions which have far too much power in the process. Dynamic leadership with vision and the guts to realize that vision would be able to overcome the other issues.
FWIW, the Focus is really one of the best small cars out there.
