Can't believe how naive Shelby is about the auto industry!
First, the people running the auto companies are not the same management that has got them into this mess. This mess was created well over 20 years ago and the US auto makers have not gotten out from under their bloated cost structure created by the UAW. Perhaps management should have taken on the union some time ago and risked being put out of business then, but the problem is now coming to a head with the recent credit crisis.
Second, if the Big 3 could make money on small cars, they would build them. It's not because they don't want to make fuel efficient cars, but if your labor costs don't allow you to make money on them, you are not going to invest a lot of money in small cars, except to meet required fuel economy standards, are you?
Concessions were made by the UAW last year, but they are not enough! By GM's calculations, GM's labor costs are still almost double Toyota's. The innovation capability is there -- the Ford Fusion hybrid gets 6 mpg better than the Camry hybrid. Break up the union and you will see profits and more innovation from the Big 3!
Alan
of MI
@
Nov 28, 2008 01:09:11 AM
Who's giving advice? Shelby?
Thats what america needs. A republican hack that has the US bogged down in 2 wars, run up trillions in debt and run the economy off the rails trading business acumen with CEO's from the Big Three. All we need now is advice from GW Bush and we have the makings a great sitcom.
ken
of MI
@
Nov 19, 2008 14:35:00 PM
Yes to auto bailout but put Shelby in charge!!!
Barney Frank has no clue. In fact, I don't know any Democrat is showing any wisdom and courage facing the greatest crisis in recent history.
There is no doubt that the Big Three automakers are blackmailing the American tax payer. Neither the management, nor the union is taking any responsibility for the failure of their business. Bailout will not solve their root cause of the problem.
Richard Shelby is right. He said that the government should not bailout the auto industry if there is no fundamental change in the business; and he had not seen any significant change happening.
On the other hand, Barney Frank made really idiotic arguments. He said that the government should loan money to the automakers, but the 800-pound gorilla will push all other loans aside, so in the event of liquidation, the government will be the first to be paid.
What was he thinking??? Do you think if there will be any bank that will be willing to lend money to the automakers? God forbids if liquidation really happens, the government will be paid but the banks will be holding the bag.....sounds like another bank bailout is in order! And guess who will be the real loser at the end?
Oh please. Barney Frank does not get it. Put Richard Shelby in charge. He understands how to play this high stake poker game.
Jason Chen
of CO
@
Nov 18, 2008 18:35:16 PM
IT'S CALLED CORRUPTION
Those small business don't have lobbyists pouring money into Congress' pockets and are therefore ignored.
Until the voters of these corrupt politicians recognize the crime that is being committed here, NOTHING WILL CHANGE.
Heck, the retarded voters of MA RE-ELECTED BARNEY FRANK. How stupid can you be to put him back on the job? They need to be dragged out into the street, water-boarded for their incalculable stupidity and then sterilized to cleanse the gene pool. American ignorance will continue until the dumbest people and politicians are stopped cold.
n1njabot
of CA
@
Nov 17, 2008 13:31:34 PM
Stop All the bails outs, period!
Let's see, we are going to give, loan, or whatever buckets of money to companies that are losing hundreds of millions of dollars a month so we can save them, but they have the same management, same goals, and same policies.
Are you expecting different results?
We are doing this while thousands of small businesses are failing all over the country. Who has been creating the jobs and the growth for the last twenty years?
"Too Big to Fail?" What a disgusting term.
Let them FAIL!!!
Some small business will find a way to meet the demand, as long as government stays out of their way and stops feeding the bankrupt companies.
Larry
of CA
@
Nov 17, 2008 12:57:45 PM
Let's Make A Deal!!!
Let's play let's make a deal. First, begin laying the groundwork for a hydrogen fueling infrastructure for $10B as per DOE, another $10B to retool production lines for fuel cell vehicles as per the auto cos., and another $10B to finance debt consolidation for American industries and create jobs. Total cost, $30B and America will achieve zero-emission vehicles, recall all CAFE standards, tackle global warming, repair the economy, eliminate foreign oil dependence and cease funding terror supporting nations. What else does anyone want??? We have the means to solve many problems at once and they are not one-hit wonders but life-time ventures which will be giving back in perpetuity!!! Think about it America, isn't the time right??? What more can we lose???
Alan of MI @ Nov 28, 2008 01:09:11 AM
ken of MI @ Nov 19, 2008 14:35:00 PM
Jason Chen of CO @ Nov 18, 2008 18:35:16 PM
n1njabot of CA @ Nov 17, 2008 13:31:34 PM
Larry of CA @ Nov 17, 2008 12:57:45 PM
Ray Fisher of NM @ Nov 17, 2008 11:15:59 AM
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