stingray

GM Plan to Stay Viable: Cut, Cut, Cut and Count on the Volt

Shut up Douglas. You haven't the faintest idea of what you are writing about. Really!

GM's Biggest Growth Market Is Now China

"Philly Jim - GM is unloading all of their junk on America and offering up state-of-the-art technology in their drivetrains being sold in China."

Perhaps making up a statement like this makes you feel good. Too bad there isn't a shred of fact to be found anywhere to support it.

The fact that the big three were so successful for so long has worked against them in the long run. Every group that sees a way to extract something ($ mostly) from the US industry has systematically done so.

Other world governments see the benefit of having and being supportive of their industrial/manufacturi... base. The federal government and states have worked continually to make it more costly for US based automakers to compete, while at the same time granting incentives to importers.

It continues to amaze me how much glee people take in celebrating the troubles this industry is having. A lot of good jobs still remain in the US and can be saved. Because of these desperate times, we may be able to get the number of plants, pay, and staffing levels in line with market demand. It has taken this kind of a near-death situation to get concessions from from all quarters.

Americans should be pro-America and stop cheering for it's demise!

Auto Industry Recovery Once Again Postponed

Paul,
So we're in agreement that all forms of alternate energy sources should be pursued. I think they should all be pursued for the simple fact that no one knows which new technology will work best.

A new battery technology (Lithium Ion) is about to become available for electric cars. The lack of a practical battery has been the key factor that has made electric cars irrelevant for the last 100 years. So, I don't understand why people dismiss the Chevy Volt concept as a "boutique" vehicle. It is more likely that in 20 years, we will see that breakthroughs like this and others will have "electrified" auto propulsion. It is already happening, although it may not be apparent to the general population yet.

Also, cellulostic ethanol - truely renewable energy. Another power source with great potential. How many people know that all Brazilian vehicles are powered by ethanol derived from sugar cane (three times more productive than corn based ethanol) Or that electric power for the entire Island of Maui is derived from sugar cane?

The right things are happening, but it will cost money to bring these new ideas to market. Good to debate them, but not dismiss them.

Auto Industry Recovery Once Again Postponed

Paul8756
It would help you to remember that companies produce what consumers want to buy.
CNG is not a panacea. It has been available for many cars and trucks for 30+ years and is subsidised in Canada, where far more CNG cars&trucks are sold than in the US. Unfortunately, cost per mile driven with CNG is greater than gasoline.
In Europe, consumers have demanded the fuel economy in lieu of size and comfort because high fuel taxes make the gas prices so high. The governents have also favored Diesels which are very fuel efficient. In the US, increasingly strict rules against particulates and emssions are introduced with the apparent intent of legislating Diesels out of existence.
I for one will definitely not vote Democratic.
But when Congress passes the new fuel economy requirements that demand dramatic product changes, and as a part of the bill, allocate money to help US manufacturers retool US plants, it seems fair that they follow-up by funding the program they approved.

Auto Industry Recovery Once Again Postponed

It is refreshing to read such an intelligent and thoughtful article like this one. (Worthwhile articles are a rarity on the "Seeking Alpha" site) Studies clearly show that the number of US jobs for each car/truck produced by GM/Ford/Chrysler are at least 3 times higher than off-shore nameplates. We should all be thankful that bankruptcy is not an option for the "US big three." GM is the biggest private provider of healthcare in this country. And it supports a million families in retirement. If those responsibilities had to be transferred to government managed programs, good luck for the recovery everyone is working towards.

Why Auto Stocks Are an Easy Short

Another example of questionable "financial analysis" from a person that obviously doesn't understand industry basics, and uses factual errors to support his conclusion.