I’ve followed the auto industry for years; with a passion most people reserve only for a sports franchise. So when our industry began to make headlines for all the wrong reasons, I became frustrated with a lot of the coverage portraying our domestic industry in a negative light. In January, an opportunity presented itself to plan, and speak at a pro-industry rally in Warren, Michigan.

Mine was not simply a “Buy American” argument, but instead focused on domestic leadership in automotive pollution controls and safety standards. Naturally, the role of foreign Value Added Taxes (and other more covert methods) was raised simply to show how trade restrictions hamper our ability to offer a profitable, full line of vehicles. Finally, I couldn’t miss the chance to point out how some of the same Senators opposing aid to the automakers had created “free” down-payment schemes in the mortgage industry.

This event put me in communication with a number of like-minded people and we decided to keep the momentum going. The result of that momentum is group called the Fair Image Organization. We are focused on educating the public on how domestic industry has come to its precarious state, and offering factual counter arguments against the myths and stereotypes that have been unfairly attached to the “Detroit 3”. Our website is viewable at: FairImage.org and our group holds weekly meetings in Warren.

Fair Image is not affiliated with any corporation or union. We simply have either the technical knowledge, or gut-feeling that the general public’s view of manufacturing, most specifically the auto industry, differs from what we know to be true.

We have since expanded our membership, and are still in a recruitment phase. We are seeking motivated people with knowledge in either, engineering, competitive analysis, finance, trade policy; or individuals with IT skills to help maintain the website. If you’re fed up with yelling at the TV, and want to use facts to challenge the opinion-driven coverage of the industry, you are the type of person we need. Please contact Chris Vitale, (founder of Fair Image) through the website, or directly: editor@fairimage.org.

Editors note:  Chris Vitale, 36, has been with Chrysler for 15 years, most of them with Team Viper. He's currently laid off as an engine/CSA auditor.  He's a third generation Chrysler employee who also runs a real estate business called Imperial Land Management  named, he says, "after the Chrysler division, and a favorite car."