How the Feds will Govern GM and Chrysler

Socialism

IF they can't succeed in the Market, they should go out of business. Government should have no say in this matter.

KB of OH @ Feb 12, 2009 14:04:40 PM

Auto makers take same pathway as Airlines

It should be obvious that Airlines, in their robust vigor to increased market share, scheduled way too many flights for consumer convenience that simply ended up competing with simular flights and time schedules from the same airports as their competitors. Result---inability to use their resources efficiently with many flights departing with considerably less then optimal capacity and and cost containment at that point impossible and if fact the exact opposite. Final result: Bankruptcy for many of the major airlines. Apparently the automakers are just as inept with their dismal approach to attempt to capture additional market share---new model after new model with millions spend for R&D functions plus additional millions spent for manufacturing and marketing. And for what genuine economic purpose ---to try and cram their ideas and models into potential consumers minds that all these models were needed and that the consumer should purchase them for the viability of the economy.. Result---after loosing billions and now requiring government bailout monies to prolong their delemma--no real prospect of again becoming a viable industry.

Jerry Duphorn of MN @ Feb 09, 2009 13:41:55 PM

gm chrysler loan

With all the talk of a bailout for the auto companies and the negativity that is brought out ,it is always the auto unions and workers that are to blame not the executives that make the decisions.The executive pay and bonuses that they recieve could have easily paid forany donw turn in the economy.what about the money that they have given the banks and AIG, they couldn't even tell the oversight department where the money is or if it is even being used to help the economy, like it was suppose to be.There are many problems with the auto industry ,like the good old boy hiring, and if the goverment really wants to help they would put some of the people in jail who run companies in the ground and then get bonuses for it.We are a long way from where we need to be but everyone has to help to change not just the little guy who is trying to survive

Tj of IL @ Jan 13, 2009 14:23:51 PM

Mileage MPG

If the 3 auto makers want to bail out just make a updated prom chip for the cpu cost about $15.00 change the programe parameters for mileage increase to 15% to 30% and charge $350.00 at the dealerships for the upgrade back to 1992 then they are self funded; they do not need a bail out and we get rid of oil debt every one winns and they get to sell off excess stock.

jack of CA @ Jan 13, 2009 10:54:54 AM

When the American auto makers were being run by car guys i.e. people who loved cars, they turned out exciting cars that people wanted to buy. When management was turned over to the "bean counters" they started to make decisions that looked good on paper but brought yawns to American car buyers. The cars from the '60s & 70's are bringing fantastic prices at auction. And not just because they are getting rare. It's because they offered what the new cars don't. Personality as well as performance.

They killed off Oldsmobile after decades to bring out Saturn. What was that all about? IF they need to drop a line of cars, then they should keep a bit of tradition and get rid of Saturn and divest some of the other new ideas. They can always add modern more efficient models to existing traditional brands. Both Chevy & GMC trucks never did make sense so one should go. Probably GMC. They are built on the same lines anyway.

Maybe the "big three" should buy some of the top selling foreign made cars and reverse engineer them. Then there would be no quality gap and reason to buy elsewhere.

American auto makers are already building better cars. Now they need to convince the American public that it doesn't have to be build by foreigners to have quality.

And what's with rebates? Are Americans so dumb that they don't realize to get a rebate, you have to overcharge in the first place? Drop the rebate and lower the sticker price.

And get the unions to wake up and realize the party's over. Floor sweepers don't need to get $25.00+ hr. Then the companies can make a profit.

Don Haines of FL @ Jan 13, 2009 03:45:11 AM

How the Feds will Govern GM and Chrysler

I, too, am very encouraged by the staight-forwardness of this piece.

It seems that the least likely thing to do would be to cut some names/lines from each of the 3. Most dealers around here carry at least 3 apiece to losing 1 or so isn't going to hurt as much as their alternatives.

Americans will continue to drive their cars. Thus, they will make plenty of $$ with warranty coverages & maintanence. And, I agree, we do need to improve & focus more on public transportation.

Destiny of TX @ Jan 13, 2009 01:00:29 AM

How the Feds will govern GM and Chrysler

I always love it when I read that the Unions have only SUSPENDED the JOB BANKS program. I once worked with someone whose brother was on the program for 10 YEARS. His only requirement was that he show up for 'training' once a month at a facility in Glendale, Ca. He pulled almost all of his salary for all that time until he reached retirement age. What business can compete on the world stage when it's forced to spend money to support non-contributing labor? The little I know about economics tell me the idea is literally insane! And don't get me started on management largesse. Just as they did in England (not one iconic English brand is owned by an English company), management and unions here have between them decimated a once-mighty and proud industry.

Andrew Brennan of CA @ Jan 12, 2009 18:48:23 PM

How the feds will govern GM & Chrysler?

It appeared that I was finally going to get an answere!

Not surprising, but hopeful I found out it was just another smoke blow-ing, weasel wording lip service tactic as usual!

Taxpayers should know better than to allow these overpaid public

servants that originally misued their monies to return to old

faithful.I remain ashamed that these people must not be account-

able for their mishandling of the taxpayers checkbooks.As we continue to let our political leaders run amuck.

They couldnt control Wagner or Nardellis position-so lets lean

on past union negotited benefits.Lets forget ethics & integrity.

Remember when we couldnt bus the teachers.To many were married to attorneys.So we bus the KIDS! What a web we weave-

Phantom @ Jan 12, 2009 15:57:20 PM