Another blow for the Big3?

I just read that the Hyundai Genesis has been named the car of the year for 2009. It seems that the Big3 still don't understand why their cars aren't selling. A smart CEO would examine this and make changes.

Do you think the "bridge loans" and other financial maneuvers will permanently rescue GM and Chrysler, or do you believe, like many, that they should go through a tightly supervised bankruptcy, which would force them to revamp their operations?

 

A supervised bankruptcy is the only way the government, and taxpayers, could be sure that these companies would really revamp their operations.

 

I think that I have to agree with supervised bankruptcy. They haven't proved they can make good choice by any means.

I would really like to see these companies build more fuel efficient, and greener cars.

 

Big 3

Lets stop for a moment and thank,,,,,,,,,,,, 6 to 8 month age we all wanted SUV's. Then the economy went south... Gas went UP and now we blame the Big 3.. 6 months ago if the Big 3 went with greener cars, it would take about a year or more to change over. Just remember the BANKS loaned people moneys to buy homes, people that could afford $60,000 home were given loans for $200,000 home, Wow. The big 3 had to bow there heads and got hit hard to get there Loan. The BANKS head high received $400,000,000,000 with anther $400,000,000,000 to come shortly, Thay did not help home onwers or open up loads to small business. The BANKS went out and bought up small and troubled BANKS, and oh yes lets have a big party!!!!! Lets give to big 3 the $400,000,000,000 they will put people to work, not like the BANKS lay people off.
Just my 2 cents!!

 

Those are interesting points, toolman. I think the time required to change over as you say is a big part of why this won't come out well for the big 3.

 

Big 3 Bankruptcy

What I've read is that most American consumers would be doubly-reluctant to purchase a Big 3 car if the company was bankrupt because they'd be concerned about the continued availability of parts. What do you think?

 

That's occurred to me, too.

I think that the need for parts would probably mean that they'd still be available from some source, but I have no idea how high the prices may be in that case.

 

Or how long it would take to get the parts if you wound up having to order them through an after market manufacturer. When your car is down because you're awaiting a replacement part, it can mean lost time at work and having to really shuffle your schedule. We live in a town of 8k people and there is nowhere within fifty miles to rent a car.

 

What "we" are you addressing?

SUV's were an unnecessary and unwise product line to begin with. Auto makers wanted us to buy them, but most of the folks around here started buying foreign cars because they got better gas mileage.

Auto makers spent a great deal of time trying to convince us we wanted them.

 

I thought that most people with used cars got their parts from Auto Zone and similar stores.

That's where we get ours.

 

I can see a huge after market area opening up for small auto motive repair businesses. Machine shops and fabrication might make a comeback, as well.

 

With the precision that small shops can exact out of computer-driven gear, you're right that this sort of situation might enhance after market fabrication by independents. Blueprints would probably get posted online and then you could choose your own fabricator.

 

During hard times, people fix what they have, instead of buying something new.

Now might be the best time to consider starting an appliance repair business, or investing in a little automotive equipment and hanging out a shingle!

I am watching for small business start up programs from the government, down the road!

 

Laughingmouse, I'm reminded of a tv show I saw a while back that was about Cuba and how they've coped with the years of isolation. They've become innovative mechanics who drive truly hybrid cars, hybrid because they're made up of bits and pieces of different scavenged cars. Ah, the mother of invention!

 

I have a feeling that we have become too quick to focus on the difficulties of adapting, instead of looking at ways to adapt.

Of course, corporate America has a vested interested in our remaining too scared to change!

 

It is fascinating sometimes (and a bit scary) to examine the advertising strategies that are used on us as consumers and to realize that so very many of those strategies are based on trying to scare the absolute bee-jeezus out of us just so somebody can make a few bucks.

 

There are amazing fabrication machines that scan with lasers, then build the scanned item in plastic. It would be easy to create molds for new parts that way.

Perhaps the Big 3 are worried that this technology will overtake new production.

 

I had never considered that (hadn't read anything about it) but you are probably correct. Fabrication has come such a long way with computers and there are awesome new plastic compounds that rival metal in their durability. It must keep the Big3 awake at nights

 

I wonder how many government grants it would take to set up a fabrication operation, using one of those machines, computers, and some good workers?

 

As we remember the gas crisis in the 70s, my husband and I would never have bought an SUV or one of those big honkin trucks.