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A Bailout for U.S. Automakers: Join the Great Debate
Design News Staff -- Design News, November 20, 2008
Design News has editors advocating for and against a bailout to domestic automakers. Editor-in-chief John Dodge argues for a bailout while Materials Editor Doug Smock is urging lawmakers to say NO. Check out the coverage below, and weigh in with your thoughts and comments.
Bailing out GM, Ford and Chrysler: It's Easy to be DubiousLike many Americans, I have mixed feelings about a government bailout for the domestic auto industry and more specifically, General Motors (GM). At first I was for saving G.M. and while I still would vote that way, I have some reservations... Read More
Obama Should Tell Detroit's CEOs: NoThe auto lobby is pushing hard for a federal bail out right now. As much as I support American manufacturing, I think a federal bail out for GM, Ford and Chrysler would be a tragic mistake... Read More
GM, Ford and Chrysler Should get Bailed Out
This is National Dump on American Automakers Week. Cash-less GM, the poster child for industrial vision-less-ness, is bearing the brunt of the finger-pointing and accusations. So I thought it might be interesting to look just how innovative GM is and relate it to the bailout... Read More
Obama Should Tell Detroit's CEOs: No - Part II
Thirty years ago, the American steel industry went through an experience similar to today's crisis in Detroit ... There were many cries of despair, in particular that we needed a domestic steel industry for national defense. But there was no bailout... Read More
Did Auto Execs Fly BACK to Detroit on Commercial Airliners?
CEOs from the domestic auto makers took their lumps yesterday, but the two-day dressing in the House hit a low point when Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY) asked if any of them flew from Detroit to DC on a commercial plane... Read More
Who Is to Blame for GM's Collapse? All of UsIt's great that Chinese companies may want to buy Chrysler or GM. That's how the free enterprise system works... Read More
General Motors Scales Back Jets
The mighty have fallen!! General Motors (GM) in response to a highly embarrassing moment this week is cutting the number of leased corporate jets to a mere three... Read More
Breaking News: GM to be Acquired by Chinese Concerns?
A Chinese business daily is reporting that Dongfeng and SAIC are planning to buy GM and Chrysler at their historically low stock valuations. Read More
Stay tuned for more thoughts from John and Doug, and don't forget to weigh in on this Great Debate!
Talkback
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More at: www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Refusing-Muzzled-LA-Auto-Show/story.aspx?guid={C4850401-CB16-4257-995B-77915949A7C7}'>Bail them out only if they give us a 100 MPG vehicle.
They should talk to these guys:
AFS Trinity Pulls 150 MPG SUV out of LA Auto Show-The company's decision followed actions by the LA Auto Show to muzzle AFS Trinity from highlighting the 150 miles per gallon fuel economy of its XH150 prototype vehicles. "The suppression by the automakers of information about technologies such as this raises serious questions about the judgment, vision, intentions and capabilities of the leadership of these companies," said Edward W. Furia, Chairman and CEO of AFS Trinity.
More at: www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Refusing-Muzzled-LA-Auto-Show/story.aspx?guid={C4850401-CB16-4257-995B-77915949A7C7}
Mike Hughes - 2008-3-12 11:46:48 EST -
Try this concept. Honda, Toyota, Kia, Nissan, and VW are currently manufacturing and selling their products in the US and are planning more US factories. We the people, via our gov't, should consider investing equal dollars in these profitable companies, dollar for dollar to the Big 3 "bridge loan". That way we will have a chance to break even when the dust settles.
Rob Welch - 2008-2-12 09:04:11 EST -
I blame the stock market, which penalizes long-term thinking in business. A Demming-like view on maintaining quality in a business isn't possible when decisions are being effected by stock prices that change minute to minute.
When you see some of the decisions that US auto makers (and some of the foreign ones) come out with, you know that there are some seriously over-paid exec's that would fit perfectly into a Dilbert comic strip.'>Some friends and I got into this argument a couple nights ago. My reason for NOT bailing them out was that US auto makers are totally driven by the quickest money and the bottom line. They TALK about innovation while other companies are already shipping it!
I used the example of variable cylinder engines. GM came out with it in 1981, 27 years ago! They let it drop.
Now that the patent has run out Honda is proudly advertising that they have it in their new cars.
"What's the least we can do and get us the biggest margin?"
I blame the stock market, which penalizes long-term thinking in business. A Demming-like view on maintaining quality in a business isn't possible when decisions are being effected by stock prices that change minute to minute.
When you see some of the decisions that US auto makers (and some of the foreign ones) come out with, you know that there are some seriously over-paid exec's that would fit perfectly into a Dilbert comic strip.
Markus Unread - 2008-2-12 08:19:09 EST -
Bailout...absolutly not. Why keep pouring taxpayer dollars down a bottomless pit?
A bridge loan...possibly IF they do THIER JOBS and create a viable business plan with a reasonable ROI for Uncle Sam. First and foremost, accountablility for success or failure. Second, the UAW must go. Lastly, mandated goals for future developments - i.e. Fleet mpg, New techology, etc.
Bob Meyer - 2008-2-12 05:43:20 EST -
I didn't buy the Astra. I'm waiting to drive a Honda FIT with it's, "Magic seat".
BTW: GM/Opel engineers did try to put Chevy's 260 hp engine in that Astra. So..., Damn the practical! Give 'em more power.'>Forget the corporate jets. I recently test drove the Saturn Astra with a manual transmission. Performance is excellent and it gets 30 mpg. ...but the back seat doesn't fold flat. Who passed the 5 door hatchback design with a seat that won't flatten? The correct answer: Everyone at GM and Opel.
I didn't buy the Astra. I'm waiting to drive a Honda FIT with it's, "Magic seat".
BTW: GM/Opel engineers did try to put Chevy's 260 hp engine in that Astra. So..., Damn the practical! Give 'em more power.
Bob Guzauskas - 2008-2-12 05:24:31 EST
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