Paul Killinger

How to Navigate the Troubled Auto Industry - Barron's Interview

I don't envy the situation you find yourselves in. It looks like nothing but heartache and frustration ahead. But these are also times when simple working people can arise from the ashes, as well. Remember, the definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect a different outcome. Try doing something ELSE insterad.

How to Navigate the Troubled Auto Industry - Barron's Interview

When the smoke clears, there will be four groups of folks who come out of all this smelling like roses. They'll be your senior executives, union leaders, the politicians and lobbyists. But the guys who do the real work, be they white or blue collar, will all get STIFFED. Even God can't help you until you figure this out. He can only help those willing to help themselves.

How to Navigate the Troubled Auto Industry - Barron's Interview

You guys who suggest the government can somehow save our ailing automakers are whistling past the graveyard. The ONLY way out is for you to save YOURSELVES. You need to LEARN this lesson while there's still time left.

The two biggest handicaps you face are believing anything the leaders of your COMPANIES and your UNIONS tell you. Very naturally, they are simply looking out for themselves. Well, let me ask you, where has their leadership gotten you so far?

So they hire lobbyists and pay off politicians to get the government to hand you bailouts. This is only spending good money after bad. If you consider where all this has gotten you, bankruptcy may be your salvation. At least it would give you a fresh start, free from the burdens of the past.

Cashing In on the Electric Transport Boom

OK, so GM crushed their electric cars. According to the proponents of this technology, they shouldn't have. I understand that part.

What I don't understand is what happened to the electrics being made by the REST of the automakers. If they were so successful, why didn't the OTHER car companies keep making theirs?