The 7 Worst Ways to Rescue Detroit

Detroit Automaker Bailouts

Detroit Automakers have NEVER been sensitive to what Americans or the world wanted in all the years that they've produced automobiles. From the 9 burnt out alternators, the falling- off real view mirror, the self-shattering windshield, the Summer vapor-lock carb, the shorting out electrical system, etc. etc. etc. on my 1972 Ford Thunderbird; From the pulled out arm-rest, the constant leak and water puddling of the rear view window, and the peeled paint of my 1976 GM Camaro, etc etc etc I've learned that American Cars equates to constant migraines all the way down the line.

THEY DESERVE TO FAIL because it is in their DNA of incompetence, arrogance, collusion with the oil companies, lobbying for higher import tariffs on more efficient and constructed foreign automobiles since the 1960's (remember the pint sized Honda introduction?), and unethical corporate methodology. Detroit Automakers make up the endless MONEY PIT BLACK HOLE where you will never see a return on investment payoff. They have met the enemy and the enemy has always been THEMSELVES.

ARTEMUS of HI @ Dec 02, 2008 16:24:17 PM

A Real Idea

I have a solution to the proposed bailout of the big 3 auto makers:

Instead of the government bailing out the auto industry with 20+ billion dollars, they should use that money and buy most if not all of the big three's current stock of vehicles. Next, they convert ALL of the vehicles to be flex fuel or electric or hydrogen. After that, they replace most if not all government vehicles with those converted vehicles. A company would be set up to convert the vehicles. The costs for conversion kits will have been reduced due to millions of them being needed by the government. This company can then offer conversion kits at a reduced price to the general American Public. Offer tax incentives to people who convert their vehicle. All future vehicles made by the big three will be hybrids or electric or hydrogen and will be able to be profitable again due to the public buying their now desirable product.

Problem Solved!

Any other idea is preserving status quo and not really solving the real problems.

Let's see how much people really do want change and innovation.

Someone with an actual idea of CA @ Dec 02, 2008 16:13:47 PM

Auto Manufacturer bailout suggestion

Use the purchasing power of the Federal Government. Issue purchase orders for the vehicles the US Government agencies will need for the next few years with fuel economy and other specifications desired. Then give them a down payment large enough to do the retooling, etc. If they do a good job, private sales should provide substantial profits.

Earl Metter of CA @ Dec 02, 2008 16:05:25 PM

A novel Idea

Ummm... with the oil companies consistently posting record profits over the last couple of years, and autos accounting for the majority of their revenues, why not have the oil companies bail out the auto industry instead of the taxpayers???

of RI @ Dec 02, 2008 16:01:36 PM

2 out of 3 aint bad

Save Ford? YES

Save GM? YES

Save Chrysler? Not only NO, but HELL NO!

Chrysler is the weakling of the bunch, survival of the fittest. They are also the only privately held of the three, they are also the only one of the three that the whole world knows is not going to survive. So why throw money at a billionaire just so he can sell off the pieces? You don't!!!!

Like Lehman Bros., let them fail. As they say here in Texas, That thar is some big boys who run it, let them take a little slap on the side of the head like the rest of us here in America. Besides does anybody really want to drive a .... Dodge? I thought so. As Agatha Christie once said, and then there were two.

GM FORD YES of TX @ Dec 02, 2008 15:41:00 PM

They saw it coming and did nothing

The big three are facing nothing they did not see coming and had decades to prepare for. The Union deals were forged over decades. The real issue is the corporate philosophy of always reacting to the past by ingoring the future. They ignore the future because they believe they can manipulate the stock price so only this quarter matters. They focus on the past because all the data they have is days, weeks or months old. Basically they drive corporations forward by looking in the rearview mirror.

They are idiots whose greed and selfishness is surpassed only by their short sightedness and carelessness for the feduciary duty they were entrusted with.

Are we going to socialize all of the US industry base?

Dean of OR @ Dec 02, 2008 14:43:26 PM

Realization

We are now all Flint, Michigan.

Wiserone of MI @ Dec 02, 2008 14:19:39 PM

Make Oil Companies pay for the "bailout"

Big Oil should pay Windfall Profit Taxes to the car companies. That's where all the money is. The car companies bowed to pressure from big oil to keep producing these big cars in the first place. May BIG OIL PAY back!

Nadine of CA @ Dec 02, 2008 14:11:55 PM