fool me twice...'s Comments RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.comuser/163863/comments http://seekingalpha.com/article/138960-auto-mpg-the-economics-of-cafe-part-one?source=feed#comment-513135 513135
The pre-CAFE 1970 Camaro had a 370 hp V8, but the post-CAFE 1980 Camaro had a 170 hp V8. These cars have the same bodystyle and the newer model includes some better technology and better fuel economy, but today a 1970 Camaro is worth 5 to 10 times as much as a 1980 Camaro.

This "improvement" to CAFE will have the perverse effect of persuading drivers to keep their old, polluting, capable cars rather than pay a lot more for a newer, cleaner, less-capable car.

With or without CAFE, the only thing that will EVER have an impact on gasoline consumption is the price of gasoline.]]> Thu, 21 May 2009 13:12:55 -0400
The pre-CAFE 1970 Camaro had a 370 hp V8, but the post-CAFE 1980 Camaro had a 170 hp V8. These cars have the same bodystyle and the newer model includes some better technology and better fuel economy, but today a 1970 Camaro is worth 5 to 10 times as much as a 1980 Camaro.

This "improvement" to CAFE will have the perverse effect of persuading drivers to keep their old, polluting, capable cars rather than pay a lot more for a newer, cleaner, less-capable car.

With or without CAFE, the only thing that will EVER have an impact on gasoline consumption is the price of gasoline.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/136029-do-you-believe-borrowing-leads-to-prosperity-part-2?source=feed#comment-493459 493459 Thu, 07 May 2009 08:10:37 -0400 http://seekingalpha.com/article/120148-another-round-of-farcical-congressional-hearings?source=feed#comment-385503 385503
The SNL skit after Detroit asked for money was pretty good. My favorites:

-Carolyn Maloney explained that they already helped Detroit, because Congress set targets for 200 MPG cars. "We've done our part."

-Barney Frank gave Detroit some helpful product planning advice. "Build more gay cars. That Mini Cooper is cute."]]> Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:16:15 -0500
The SNL skit after Detroit asked for money was pretty good. My favorites:

-Carolyn Maloney explained that they already helped Detroit, because Congress set targets for 200 MPG cars. "We've done our part."

-Barney Frank gave Detroit some helpful product planning advice. "Build more gay cars. That Mini Cooper is cute."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/110136-problems-that-detroit-bailout-i-doesn-t-address?source=feed#comment-325788 325788
That sums it up. This entire Detroit debate only addresses a symptom of the recession. Better to fix the economy and cure the disease.]]> Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:23:14 -0500
That sums it up. This entire Detroit debate only addresses a symptom of the recession. Better to fix the economy and cure the disease.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/105372-how-to-save-the-u-s-economy?source=feed#comment-303303 303303
However, BobMichigan1251 explained it nicely: US economic policy has pushed every US manufacturing sector out of business. The US government's record debt will continue to grow under the "service economy" model. Service industries only move money around until it leaves the country to the places that actually make things. Fix the US economy with policies that encourage US manufacturing.

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 15:58:28 -0500
However, BobMichigan1251 explained it nicely: US economic policy has pushed every US manufacturing sector out of business. The US government's record debt will continue to grow under the "service economy" model. Service industries only move money around until it leaves the country to the places that actually make things. Fix the US economy with policies that encourage US manufacturing.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/78606-america-s-energy-policy-coming-to-terms-with-reality?source=feed#comment-175463 175463
The government's energy plan only includes getting re-elected in November. I hope their plan fails.]]> Wed, 28 May 2008 15:49:20 -0400
The government's energy plan only includes getting re-elected in November. I hope their plan fails.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/79127-short-ideas-kick-gm-while-it-s-down?source=feed#comment-175449 175449
Better investing advice: "Buy low. Sell high."]]> Wed, 28 May 2008 15:34:05 -0400
Better investing advice: "Buy low. Sell high."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/71687-why-auto-stocks-are-an-easy-short?source=feed#comment-149209 149209
Maybe better stock advice would be to look at how ridiculously cheap GM and F stocks are today! GM's market cap is only about $10B, but annual revenue is close to $200B.

Sure, the US auto market is weak now, but GM and Ford are global companies. GM and Ford are leading growth in new markets around the world like South America, Eastern Europe, Russia, and China. GM's highest annual sales ever was not back in the 50's, but in 2007! That came despite softening demand for trucks in the US.

The US manufacturers are also correcting from mistakes of the past. Last year the UAW agreed to let GM and Ford switch retiree heathcare from defined-benefit to fixed-cost, taking billions of future obligations off the books. Now Ford beats Toyota in quality surveys. GM's new Chevy Malibu was voted 2008 car of the year over Honda's new Accord, and the other nominee on the ballot was the Cadillac CTS.

Short the auto stocks? Put that excellent advice in the time machine and send it back to 1999!
]]> Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:35:57 -0400
Maybe better stock advice would be to look at how ridiculously cheap GM and F stocks are today! GM's market cap is only about $10B, but annual revenue is close to $200B.

Sure, the US auto market is weak now, but GM and Ford are global companies. GM and Ford are leading growth in new markets around the world like South America, Eastern Europe, Russia, and China. GM's highest annual sales ever was not back in the 50's, but in 2007! That came despite softening demand for trucks in the US.

The US manufacturers are also correcting from mistakes of the past. Last year the UAW agreed to let GM and Ford switch retiree heathcare from defined-benefit to fixed-cost, taking billions of future obligations off the books. Now Ford beats Toyota in quality surveys. GM's new Chevy Malibu was voted 2008 car of the year over Honda's new Accord, and the other nominee on the ballot was the Cadillac CTS.

Short the auto stocks? Put that excellent advice in the time machine and send it back to 1999!
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/68564-the-prius-conundrum?source=feed#comment-126585 126585
And the Prius? No payback, just the smug satisfaction of being ostensibly green.]]> Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:25:27 -0400
And the Prius? No payback, just the smug satisfaction of being ostensibly green.]]>