General Motors

[LastSunrise1981]

It seems as though you are calling people out. Myself, in particular, considering I am the one always posting news articles. So in response...

(watching my p's and q's)

It is neither wise or nor intelligent to flat out ignore what is going on in this country. I would dare say that it is flat out irresponsible. Do I get tired of reading about the economy or watching the news? No I do not. Do I immerse myself in it? Absolutely not. Do I live in fear because of all of the 'sensationalism' in the news? Absolutely not. Do I live my life to the best of my ability? You bet I do. The news is not my life. Politics are not my life. Do I enjoy those topics? Yes I do. By suggesting that I am not 'living my life' because I pay attention to what is actually going on in this country is absurd.

As I said, I wasn't talking about you or ANYONE in particular. I merely wanted to know why. Just because you don't read the news or watch it doesn't make you irresponsible in my eyes. There isn't any good news to be had, read, or heard it seems like. So why bother?

 

[Paradoxium]

1. The UAW are going to get burnt by this episode since they were the ones who snapped the stick over the wage slashing issue.

2. I am pulling for Ford to make it through, because they still have what it takes.

3. GM and Chrysler are toast, unless Cerberus Capital decides to do the right thing and restructure Chrysler through chapter 11. Considering their 100 billion in annual revenues... they should have the capital to pull it off. GM is probably the biggest loser in this debacle, I think they might even do a chapter 7 over a chapter 11.

My regards Motown, hope your family pulls through man.

 

[deathfromabove]

I'm not trying to call anyone out here, but when is it enough? When do you have enough of the bad news? When do you decide that it's time to escape from the constant sensationalism of the news? Don't you get tired of just reading about the economy, watching the news, or reading about GM 24/7?

I'm honestly curious because I find no joy or knowledge in reading bad news 24/7.

you know what? this isnt just a news blurb to alot of us. my father has worked for general motors for 25 years. he doesnt have a job starting next week.

and if you think this doesnt effect you than

a. you are mistaken

b. why are you in this thread?

I'm not calling anyone out. I'm curious because I never understood nor do I understand how anyone can constantly read bad news before becoming depressed.

From my perspective I feel message boards should be used as an escape from the world and not so much bringing the world into them. This is a place to discuss films, comics, video games, music, and literature. I am sincerely curious in how anyone can constantly read the news on the economy.

but you are in the general motors thread in the politics forum. there are thousands of other places to hang out if you want to discuss, film etc... why come in here and ask why we are here?

am i missing something?

 

[Visionary]

haha, bailout failed in senate

Great news.

Leave this rot of a company in shambles where it belongs.

 

[XpunkRocker]

Great news.

Leave this rot of a company in shambles where it belongs.

either that or they pull themselves out

 

[Paradoxium]

U.S. Treasury Ready to Prevent Failure of Automakers
They are playing "chicken" with each other.

‘Already Bankrupt’ GM Won’t Be Rescued by U.S. Loan
Has a bit to do with GMAC not being able to get TARP money since it did not qualify (recent).

I say let things coalesce, let GM and Chrysler fall so Ford to grab a chunk of its fallen market share and survive without any bailout. At least you salvage something..

 

[BlackLantern]

I guess the perception depends on where in the US you live...Here in the northeast, most people are sad for the long time employees, but wonder how could they not see this coming? If I was working for a US automaker I would have gotten out a couple years ago

 

[Kelly]

I know this is hitting close to home for many.....

But I'm sorry...

1. Poor quality cars...
2. Over the top, golden retirement packages...
3. Over the top salaries...

At some point is going to come back and bite you in the butt.....and now it has.

I know the above three can be solved, and these 3 automakers can come back strong.......BUT, my tax dollars are not the answer....

Look at the foreign automakers in the country.....
1. Look at the quality of their cars....
2. Look at their retirement pakages....
3. Look at their salaries....

Learn......................................................

 

[SuBe]

Kel, you can seriously think that Government can offer other solutions that don't require wealth redistrubution of some sort do you? Corporate Bailouts and Corporate Welfare are the same thing, these politicians are Drunk on power and don't care what we think.

Over 60% of Americans do not support this in any form, but the politicians just want to retain their power, because they know that if they give them a little money here and a little money there, they are indebted to them forever. Power. That's all they want.

 

[The Senator]

I know this is hitting close to home for many.....

But I'm sorry...

1. Poor quality cars...
2. Over the top, golden retirement packages...
3. Over the top salaries...

At some point is going to come back and bite you in the butt.....and now it has.

I know the above three can be solved, and these 3 automakers can come back strong.......BUT, my tax dollars are not the answer....

Look at the foreign automakers in the country.....
1. Look at the quality of their cars....
2. Look at their retirement pakages....
3. Look at their salaries....

Learn......................................................

Agreed.

 

[Paradoxium]

I have been doing some re-evaluating over the situation....

The American car industry basically cornered the "big vehicle" market whilst the Japanese took the "small vehicle" market.

To be god honest, there is no guarantee the "small 3" would have done well if they made small fuel efficient cars because the Japanese already cornered that; the Japanese are vastly more experienced with this type of manufacturing. So instead of fighting in this competitive niche they went their own way and expanded the "big vehicles" and reaped profits off it - a perpetual profit machine with no worries. This problem now? The "small 3" over leveraged on this crutch.

If they even try to compete now in the small vehicle market, I sincerely doubt all 3 of the small 3 will be able to stay competitive. They are already handicapped with the UAW and they have a different corporate culture incompatible with the small vehicle market (as the bloomberg article states: the Japanese are more trial and error risk takers). If they want to remain profitable they still have to make the big gas guzzler - it just won't pull the same type of profit as it used to. Forcing them to cut this off is like asking them to cut off a major life line; I think you need to give them the flexibility on this. Yes, they need to diversify, but forcing them to compete in the small vehicle market (mostly) would be a huge mistake.

 

[SuBe]

Toyota's Big Pickup Trucks sell very well, as does Nissans. AND they are not as gas guzzling. I don't think they would have much of an issue.

 

[Paradoxium]

Wrong choice of words in my part: big vehicle market. I think it might have to dominate their model line still. Much of their revenue comes from this niche.

 

[Kelly]

Kel, you can seriously think that Government can offer other solutions that don't require wealth redistrubution of some sort do you? Corporate Bailouts and Corporate Welfare are the same thing, these politicians are Drunk on power and don't care what we think.

Over 60% of Americans do not support this in any form, but the politicians just want to retain their power, because they know that if they give them a little money here and a little money there, they are indebted to them forever. Power. That's all they want.

Yes, they can.........its called Chapter 11.

 

[Kelly]

I have been doing some re-evaluating over the situation....

The American car industry basically cornered the "big vehicle" market whilst the Japanese took the "small vehicle" market.

To be god honest, there is no guarantee the "small 3" would have done well if they made small fuel efficient cars because the Japanese already cornered that; the Japanese are vastly more experienced with this type of manufacturing. So instead of fighting in this competitive niche they went their own way and expanded the "big vehicles" and reaped profits off it - a perpetual profit machine with no worries. This problem now? The "small 3" over leveraged on this crutch.

If they even try to compete now in the small vehicle market, I sincerely doubt all 3 of the small 3 will be able to stay competitive. They are already handicapped with the UAW and they have a different corporate culture incompatible with the small vehicle market (as the bloomberg article states: the Japanese are more trial and error risk takers). If they want to remain profitable they still have to make the big gas guzzler - it just won't pull the same type of profit as it used to. Forcing them to cut this off is like asking them to cut off a major life line; I think you need to give them the flexibility on this. Yes, they need to diversify, but forcing them to compete in the small vehicle market (mostly) would be a huge mistake.

Then my explanations are simply out of order....

1. Get rid of the golden retirement funds....
2. Give your employees competitive salaries, not over the top salaries....
3. Compete with the other car companies out there.....

 

[SuBe]

Yes, they can.........its called Chapter 11.

Nancy Pelosi said that Bankruptcy is not an option.

They are using the excuse that no one will purchase a vehicle from a Bankrupt company. But, isn't bankruptcy a better option than legalized theft and redistrubution of wealth? I say yes.

This isn't an Auto Industry Bailout, this is a Auto Union Bailout. This is Washington Buying and securing votes. Nothing more.

 

[Kelly]

Nancy Pelosi said that Bankruptcy is not an option.

They are using the excuse that no one will purchase a vehicle from a Bankrupt company. But, isn't bankruptcy a better option than legalized theft and redistrubution of wealth? I say yes.

This isn't an Auto Industry Bailout, this is a Auto Union Bailout. This is Washington Buying and securing votes. Nothing more.

**** Nancy Pelosi...........

 

[SuBe]

**** Nancy Pelosi...........

agreed.

 

[IncrediNate]

amen!

 

[Paradoxium]

Remember a few posts back, I warned about China devaluing its currency and what it means for America if they wish to address the trade deficit?

It was a rumor..

Now it's official.

China to increase supply of money to boost economy

As of today, the globe is now playing a game of "beggar thy neighbour"

Beggar Thy Neighbor: An international trade policy of competitive devaluations and increased protective barriers that one country institutes to gain at the expense of its trading partners.

They are beginning their retaliation. If guys have the chance, look into gold. Gold Mining stocks are good too, but they are fluctuating like mad (if do short term trades, maybe you can make a profit)...

 

[Paradoxium]

Bush considering "orderly" auto bankruptcy

 

[XpunkRocker]

i heard they stopped production. is that true? i will have to check cnn.

 

[Paradoxium]

Chrysler is stopping production as of December 19th (Friday).

 

[Marx]

Chrysler is stopping production as of December 19th (Friday).

Isn't there also another company that is stopping production for a month. I thought it was for a holiday break? (Maybe I'm thinking of Chrysler?)

 

[Paradoxium]

Isn't there also another company that is stopping production for a month. I thought it was for a holiday break? (Maybe I'm thinking of Chrysler?)

Yes Chrysler for one month.