Who here is worried...

[Mr. Wyndham]

Well....

But Wyss added that if GM and Chrysler disappear, there could also be an increase of about 1 million imported cars every year, which would remove about $25 billion from the U.S. economy. That would be enough to shave 0.2 percentage points off the nation's GDP. And that's not even counting the impact of lost jobs and wages.

"That's not trivial," he said.

Apparently buying American DOES make a difference.

[Arioch]

Apparently buying American DOES make a difference.

And unfortunately too many Americans dont understand the importance of this.

[SSmoked]

well form what im hearing her in canada. is that the govnt is think of bailing them out or the canadian part but useing OUR tax payers money which is me, my mom, my dad... and belive me when i say another tax would be a huge pain in the ass. my mom said as much as she like for those compaines to stay shes not forken out more tax money, and this can be found comon by 95% of us canadians

[D1BADZ]

Its coming, not worried one bit

[Captain Awesome]

One thing that REALLY bothers me is that every news show I have seen has a general consensus among the news reporters and the talking heads and the people they interview that somehow all of this is the fault of the US car companies.

A couple of points they keep bringing up that bug the heck out of me:

1) They only make big gas guzzling trucks and SUVs which nobody wanted to buy.

This is B.S. They made trucks precisely BECAUSE that's what people wanted to buy. They also make economy cars too but focused on trucks and SUVs because that's something that people wanted to buy and it was where they had the competative advantage over the imports. It is completely LOST of these people that all of the import companies were "gunning" for the truck and SUV market with billions invested in it themselves trying to horn in on the domestic action.

2) Domestic cars are inferior to imports in quality and value and reliability.

This may have been true at one time, but it's really a myth that the import companies have been very careful to keep cultivated and perpetuate the brainwashing of the masses. I am mostly familiar with GMs products but I have heard many people rave about the qaulity of their ford products as well. It really bugs me that people brainlessly believe what they see in advertising and don't check out the facts or read reviews before choosing a car. I used to be amused by the fact I "knew something they don't" and would chuckle to myself when an import fan expressed shock and awe when first riding in my friends new Malibu... but now it saddens me to think this has hurt the domestics so much.

3) The domestic companies are mismanaged and have done nothing to improve.

I'm not a business expert and cannot judge the management skills of the CEOs but the implication here is that the proof the domestics are mismanaged and have not changed at all seems to be "they are failing right now". I've seen a lot of improments in the way the domestics build cars and do business over the past 5-10 years and think the failure of the companies has MORE to do with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the bank failures than anything they did. If people can't get loans they can't buy cars. No cars are selling well, okay? It's NOT like everyone suddenly switched to buying only imports so the domestics fail.

I could go on about this for days. The news media needs to go back to their roots and do some RESEARCH on the things they report. They have become parrots of advertisers and pop culture / popular mythos.

This has got to stop.

[Caliman93230]

I agree that congress is doing the right thing by having the big 3 prepare a plan that would show that this money would actually keep them in bussines and not just stall the inevitable.

the way i see it, this money would help for a short term but the reality is that the economy looks like its going to be dragging for a long time and frankly i don't see people buying to many cars in the future, I'm guessing GM and Chrysler are going to file regardless of the aid. unless there is a major turn around in the economy or GM can pull something out of a hat, things look pretty grim. having the chance I will buy the camaro as a collectible.

[Speedy1975]

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

One thing that REALLY bothers me is that every news show I have seen has a general consensus among the news reporters and the talking heads and the people they interview that somehow all of this is the fault of the US car companies.

A couple of points they keep bringing up that bug the heck out of me:

1) They only make big gas guzzling trucks and SUVs which nobody wanted to buy.

This is B.S. They made trucks precisely BECAUSE that's what people wanted to buy. They also make economy cars too but focused on trucks and SUVs because that's something that people wanted to buy and it was where they had the competative advantage over the imports. It is completely LOST of these people that all of the import companies were "gunning" for the truck and SUV market with billions invested in it themselves trying to horn in on the domestic action.

2) Domestic cars are inferior to imports in quality and value and reliability.

This may have been true at one time, but it's really a myth that the import companies have been very careful to keep cultivated and perpetuate the brainwashing of the masses. I am mostly familiar with GMs products but I have heard many people rave about the qaulity of their ford products as well. It really bugs me that people brainlessly believe what they see in advertising and don't check out the facts or read reviews before choosing a car. I used to be amused by the fact I "knew something they don't" and would chuckle to myself when an import fan expressed shock and awe when first riding in my friends new Malibu... but now it saddens me to think this has hurt the domestics so much.

3) The domestic companies are mismanaged and have done nothing to improve.

I'm not a business expert and cannot judge the management skills of the CEOs but the implication here is that the proof the domestics are mismanaged and have not changed at all seems to be "they are failing right now". I've seen a lot of improments in the way the domestics build cars and do business over the past 5-10 years and think the failure of the companies has MORE to do with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and the bank failures than anything they did. If people can't get loans they can't buy cars. No cars are selling well, okay? It's NOT like everyone suddenly switched to buying only imports so the domestics fail.

I could go on about this for days. The news media needs to go back to their roots and do some RESEARCH on the things they report. They have become parrots of advertisers and pop culture / popular mythos.

This has got to stop.

I hear what you're saying here, but to play Devil's advocate.....

Why aren't we hearing of Toyota or Honda going bankrupt? Honda's stock closed at $19 and Toyotas at $60 on Friday.

What's different about them than Chrysler, Ford, or GM? They're sales have also slumped.

I'm not being sarcastic here, so please don't misread me. I'm genuinely curious.

[70 COPO]

Originally Posted by Arioch

Apparently buying American DOES make a difference.

And unfortunately too many Americans dont understand the importance of this.

Correct, and I am afraid that they will not either as long as the far left dominates the majority of the print and TV media and news. As usual the imports automakers can do no wrong - and the big three can do nothing right.

Kind of like the victory in Iraq. If the news is good there is nothing to report out of the sandbox. Here stateside when GM gets media it is because something is percieved to be wrong or "on the decline" like the slant taken on reporting on everything "USA".

America bashing is sadly the in style thing to report on.

You have to be informed as to where to get true unbiased information today that is for sure.

[bobscogin]

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

Why aren't we hearing of Toyota or Honda going bankrupt? Honda's stock closed at $19 and Toyotas at $60 on Friday.
What's different about them than Chrysler, Ford, or GM? They're sales have also slumped.
I

A large part of the problem is GM's bloated "legacy cost" Read this:
http://tinyurl.com/6p2u6m . Pay particular attention to the sidebar that shows the ratio of active workers to retired workers and dependents for each company.

Bob

[TomServo]

I'd like to know how many of our elected officials drive "imports". Seems to me if they get paid by US Tax dollars they should all be driving American cars.

That would be a first start and a way to show the American people where they stand.

[Inspector 17]

Originally Posted by TomServo

I'd like to know how many of our elected officials drive "imports". Seems to me if they get paid by US Tax dollars they should all be driving American cars.

That would be a first start and a way to show the American people where they stand.

Come on people. That is a ridiculous statement. I understand we are all worried about the Camaro, GM and things in general. But why do we have to keep taking this to crazy places. Write your representatives and make rational arguments about why you think we need to extend the additional requested low-interest loans and get these boys back on track. I would probably leave out the part that they need to drive American cars because they are paid in American dollars.

[dbotsfordtat]

Originally Posted by 350 HRSS

I just seen this thread, and this has been a fear I have had for the past couple of weeks...last night I dreamed GM liquidated, and I ended buying a new 08 Vette for $25k!

In all seriousness, this is very scary...somewhere down deep though...I think the Camaro will be a reality....but if production will start on time, as scheduled????

Thats what bothers me also, I don't want to wait another year for this car. It's really great looking but this is ridiculous.

[Captain Awesome]

Originally Posted by Speedy1975

I hear what you're saying here, but to play Devil's advocate.....

Why aren't we hearing of Toyota or Honda going bankrupt? Honda's stock closed at $19 and Toyotas at $60 on Friday.

What's different about them than Chrysler, Ford, or GM? They're sales have also slumped.

I'm not being sarcastic here, so please don't misread me. I'm genuinely curious.

Ignorning the fact that those companies don't have all kinds of union costs and retirement benefits to pay out, they are also the companies on the receiving end of all the false good publicity.

Think of how many times have you been frustrated because the media darling of the day got good press while something you clearly felt was as good or better was slighted because it wasn't what the media was hyping up at the time.

[StoutFiles]

I ended buying a new 08 Vette for $25k!

In all seriousness, this is very scary

If I had a brand new Vette for 25k I would be quite happy, not scared.