Comments on: U.S. bailout plan nears for Detroit Three

By: Mikez

Mikez — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 05:05:27 +0000

I agree with James.. cant just say wish they go under..itll set off a chain reaction reaching much further than just auto industries. But I say, if they want government help, give the CEOs government salaries..like they deserve.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:57:06 +0000

What most of the respondants seem to be missing (and those against Capatilism should read this too) is the fact that the main problem affecting the detroit 3 that doesn’t affect the southern state builders, like BMW Toyota & Hyundai, is the labour force cost. THe big three were held to ransom during the 70’s & 80’s by the UAW and are now paying $72.00 /hr with associated health care for thewhole dependant family and retirement benefits for workers (including health care). Compare that to the others who are $30.00 /hr with NO health care and a pension plan similar to our Super and you caneasily understand why the big three are hurting more than the rest of the world. Rest assured if the UAW are not corrected and they do (via the President elect) get into the southern states then Automotive manufacture in America will cease.

By: James

James — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 21:52:39 +0000

US policies for ya.

Because if the American Manufacturers belly up, the entire economy over there will collapse again.
As much as those companies dont really “deserve” the help… the employment and industry will be an epic disaster that will bury the nation for decades.

By: Elitist

Elitist — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:56:07 +0000

The rule for Capitalism was SURVIVAL of the fittest…
Japan never bailed out anyone in the 90’s hence why they’re car companies overshadow almost everyone’s now.

By: Frenchie

Frenchie — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:19:47 +0000

The fact is the car industry (world wide) and especially in the US has turned so rapidly downward. Its real downturn had only occur in August, but all manufacturers keep turning out vehicles thinking it only a couple of models will be affected. All models are affected.
This has hit the big three in the US but has now spread to other manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Mercedes Benz, BMW.

By: Myke

Myke — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:34:50 +0000

^I like the look of the new Caddy CTS, its different from any other luxury car, but its definitely love/hate. I saw one on the road yesterday in black, I thought it was nice.
Atleast it drives well too, not just brash with no substance, ie. like the Chrysler 300C.

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:28:50 +0000

Holden don’t build SUVs htey only build Large RWD Family sednad and Utes: Commodore Calais and Statesman. Chev GMC Cadillac build SUVs: Yukon; Avalanche; Suburban; Tahoe; Equinox; Silverado Denali; Escalade

Although I think Holden should think about importing thre HH-R Nomad and sell it over here as the Next Generation Sandman. On the TV series Rides They got a couple of US custom car builders to “modiffy” them and they looked cool.

The other thing that might help is if GM employed some designers who can draw cars without using a ruler…. go on give it a go. I mean the Cadillac Sedan is FUGLY!

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:18:13 +0000

Quote [Myke]:They should kill off Chrysler, the rest of the world wouldn’t care if they went belly-up, what awful cars.

I would have to agree with you there Myke except for the current Challenger. I think it looks better than the new [Australian designed] Camaro.. it’s just unfortunate that chrysler won’t build it in RHD – to get one over here and get it converted etc will cost approx $200k.. compared to the Camaro which will be built in RHD [as its built on the Australian designed[ VE COmmodore platform and will cost half as much

By: BJ

BJ — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 08:09:20 +0000

Bush should veto this legislation, if it happens to pass the lame-duck Congress.

These industries will never change and renew if the taxpayer constantly subsides their failures.

By: Myke

Myke — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:54:03 +0000

They should kill off Chrysler, the rest of the world wouldn’t care if they went belly-up, what awful cars. GM really needs to reduce the amount of brands they have, perhaps sell off a few, like Saab and Buick and kill off others like GMC and Saturn.

By: TuffGuy

TuffGuy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:25:27 +0000

What sort of stupid comment is it to say “i would hav loved to watch holden collapse serves em right for wasting money on SUVS”???Besides Holden being Australian all of the US car makers for decades have been producing ‘yank tanks’, cars that represent the size of the American man’s genitalia. It would appear now the real world has caught up with them and caught them with their pants down big time.
Unfortunately it will take more than a few billion to change such a gas guzzling culture. Even more importantly and unfortunately the impact will be felt here too and may even send the mainstays of the Aussie car industry (Ford and Holden) down the gurgler too. O needs to realise this is not just a case of I hate Holden and love Ford. This has the potential to have a massive impact on the Australian economy and will be far reaching to many support industries costing thousands of jobs. So perhaps O should keep his nugatory comments to himself in future.

By: Spitfire

Spitfire — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 07:21:35 +0000

The American car industry is a fat and lazy animal on the verge of extinction.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:54:05 +0000

Funny thing is O, up until ‘06, the American public wanted SUV’s over almost everything else. Consider the basic facts like F series being the biggest selling truck in the world for most of the last thirty years, the best selling vehicle in the states for 15 of the last 18 years and Ford has just had to restart a third shift on the F150 line due to demand. It appears that no one has told the yanks that they don’t like SUV’s.
Even Toyota has more SUV’s on sale in the states than passenger cars.

By: rick

rick — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:42:27 +0000

whats with all this bailout stuff? ah its too confusing.

By: o

Mon, 08 Dec 2008 05:40:17 +0000

damn i would hav loved to watch holden collapse serves em right for wasting money on SUVS etc [chevy mainly]