jthorner

Rewarding the Ecologically Irresponsible with Taxpayer Dollars

Truck and SUV buyers are the big winners here, not car buyers. Honda is not likely to be the major beneficiary.

Auto Sales: The Problem with Opinion Polls

People routinely say one thing, but do another. Opinion polls asking about plans and intentions are notoriously unreliable. The automaker bankruptcy poll in question was taken specifically for the purpose of bolstering political arguments at the time.

The fact that Chrysler sales are deeply in the tank has many causes, one of them being that all of Chrysler's factories were 100% shut down in May. Dealers are stuck selling whatever is left over and have had little to nothing new to offer in a long time. The most popular vehicles, colors and option combinations are running out. Also, fleet sales are mostly from the factory direct to the fleet buyer. Closed factories mean nearly zero fleet sales.

Will the U.S. Start a Car Scrapping Incentive Program?

Many people don't realize that popular "American" cars like the Ford Fusion are made in Mexico, while the majority of "Japanese" Accords and Civics are made in the US. Chevy Impala: Canada, Chevy Aveo: Korea, Chevrolet Equinox: Chinese engine & Canadian assembly, Chevy Silverado: US, Canada and Mexico, Hyundai Sonata: US.

Keeping track of which vehicles on the lot qualify for a "US assembled" rebate would be a very interesting exercise.

A Modest Proposal For The U.S. Auto Industry: Stop Building Cars

Great, just what I don't want ... a car as short-lived and buggy as modern consumer electronics!