Comments on: GM asks for urgent financial assistance

By: BK

BK — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:28:09 +0000

Why doesnt everybody in the world buy a brand new vehicle for themselves now and not worry about these car giants for the next 10 years. Im sure everybody can get 10 years or more out of a brand new car. These car giants can close up now and do all there restructuring that are needed. Then they can reopen up when things start lookin better in the world. Simple way to run a business and being more efficient in operating it. Its all about being efficient in lots of ways now.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:27:50 +0000

exactlly Greeny,

it will certainly be a win win when the market choice lessens and we see a monopoly take hold.
i can see the great deals coming now!!!
even if you dont buy GM products, it is still competition that keeps the other guys honest

you are a genius!!!! Pfffft

By: spitfire2

spitfire2 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:03:41 +0000

For those old enough to remember , the uk industry died in the 70/80s due to bad management , ie poor quality , unsaleable designs , tossed in with crazy union behaviour .

This is just de ja vu .

By: Frontman

Frontman — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 02:37:12 +0000

SteveC Says:
November 13th, 2008 at 7:06 am
Actually there are systems in place to assist smallbusiness as well. Centre link and another govt department that I can’t remember right now, have the funds available to you if you can out up a business case.
But on topic,
Why would they give money to these companies??
If the motor industry wen under in the States, then 1 in 10 workers would be unemployed!
On top of that, how many factories do GM & Ford operate outside of the USA? All of those employees would also be out of work. This essentially would cripple the likes of Mexico, Brazil and certain eastern block countries.

Net result? No this isn’t exagerating, is the global would skip reccession and got straight to depression, Not passing Go, Not collecting $200.00.
By all means the respective governments need to put things into perspective, not an assistance plan the likes of what Australia got(fundamentally a political spruik with no benefit to anyone) but a bail out with real clout similar to the Banks. Put parrameters in like PM Brown did (ie no executive payouts, 1/4ing or more of the CEO+ payrolls). Put controls in place to enforce streamlining of production. Ensure that the Auto makers use local product and work forces etc.
Even a simple thing like the US government picking up the outlandish pension plans that were forced upon the big three during the unionistic 70′s & 80′s would actually create a mssive relief to the three manufacturers.
ANyway that about 20 bob’s worth.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:51:12 +0000

well it looks like the chinese economy has/is taking a big dive now too.

it will be interesting to see how they deal with it

By: Conrod

Conrod — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:34:16 +0000

Richo……..See SteveC’s comment above ? Businesses rise and fall every day ? He can grasp that reality…….why cant you ? GM is like a garden that has had all the good plants overgrown and taken over by weeds. The only solution is to rip it all out and start again……..so hopefully that will happen and GM will die ……..

By: SteveC

SteveC — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:06:57 +0000

What’s with all these stories on car manufacturers asking for financial aid?

My business is also suffering, I’d like to ask for some financial aid from the Government. How does one go about doing this? Surely they’d be more interested in giving me a couple hundred thousand dollars than forking over a couple of million to a dying car manufacturer.

What makes them so special? Businesses rise and fall every day. Adding money into the bank account won’t fix your problems. Maybe look at your management and structure. Spend what little money you have left on some good advice you twats.

SteveC (Yes, this is exactly what I posted about the Indian car industry too).

By: Conrod

Conrod — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:58:43 +0000

yes Richo…as i said in my first comment the initial shock would be bad but it will be better in the long run. These people will eventually be absorbed into other industries or be retired with a redundancy package which will be very good. Richo…..you need to understand life in general……….things are born and things die every day………..its the same in bisiness…….no business can last forever..why cant you grasp this very very simple reality ????

By: upshift

upshift — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 11:39:38 +0000

GM = Global Mess
They have been churning out gas guzzling, unreliable crap for years now with inferior parts made around the world in cheapskate factories with little QA.
You DONT make money selling crap.

By: Spitfire

Spitfire — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 09:20:35 +0000

The facts are Elitist, Ford and Holden have been asking for assistance for sixty years and have been getting it.

Just like the now defunct Australian Motor Industries (AMI), Renault, Volkswagon, Leyland, Nissan, Chrysler and Mitsubishi who have in the past built or assembled cars in Australia. That may come as a surprise to some of the young ones who visit this site.