@HCM, I would take all this with a grain of salt and I am paraphrasing but words like, "management trash from the automotive industry" were used to describe new management along with, "genius financial decisions" such as selling a corporate building that was owned to lease a newer nicer building with upgraded furniture for oodles of cash because, "appearances" even though contracts are decided, "on your ability to provide to spec equipment in the quantities requested on time." Again, I am sure that things are more complicated than that and I am unsure as the the quality of the information or the level of connection he has. No clue as to what he is privy or not privy to so I would take all this as break room gossip.
Despite that the conversation was interesting and gives me pause. I would be leery of a company that hired management from the automotive industry, (as my view of that industries management is pretty poor), granted I am not in the industry and only have second and third hand information on how things work so I could have a false understanding. Although, given what we've all seen happen a short while back I think I am safe to say the automotive industry has had its issues just like any other sector. If I were king of a small kingdom such as FN USA I wouldn't be so quick to lie in bed with industry professionals who needed bailing due to what I consider to be mismanagement.