jpd80

Car makers can downsize plant, personnel and supply orders but not dealerships. There must be a better way, buying out dealerships or starving them to death is bad for business!

About 5 cars/hour

The two best performing trucks are both outsold by the Low Power F150. I hear Ford's 6.2 is a gas hog, maybe we'll see a Raptor next year?

Burbon anyone, :shades:

Foresight and hindsight. Foresight: Bill Ford realised that Ford was in trouble and did something about it before the market turned nasty. Hindsight: GM only realised they were in trouble once the market and economy collapsed around them.

And yet Ford with the similar UAW contract looks as though it may squeek by.....

Gettlefinger believes 2007 give backs were more than enough for troubled carmakers and more should be done to stimulate the economy, people have to be able to buycars in the first place. Not sure about Job bank, that would have to go if auto makers want access to funding.

OK, let's suppose GM get's it funding but has to lay out a downsizing/ restructuring strategy, What areas do they cut, - does it mean whole brands like Pontiac and their dealerships go away? - does it mean more factory closures and voluntary separation agreements? I'm wondering how much, how deep do they need to go?

Aussies have the worst rates of skin cancers, the UV rating is so damned high here. I live 70 miles below the tropic of capricorn, here is our UV Index forecast for today: UV Index Notes The graph shows the variation of the UV Index during the day. The UV Alert, is issued when the UV Index forecast is 3 or above. This alert identifies the period when you need to be SunSmart. It's not even full Summer yet, the UVIs go to nearly 17s then.

I think that it's obscene that Korea and Japan are so protectionist of their own market but demand unbridled access to every global market. Those people who are nett exporters to the USA should pay import tarriffs. Unless a proper to-fro free trade is in place, no concessions should apply.

I can't see any way out for GM but there is for others suffering because of them.

Oh, I agree but ask your self why the government isn't doing that? They cannot apply for the loans before GM defaults, by then it is too late to help them. GM can apply now and get loans immediately. Stop thinking about BK and punitive action against GM - this is all about damage control in communities.

Which suppliers, Tier1 Tier II or Tier III? Depending on what you mean, funds would need to go to hundreds of just on time businesses. Just on time suppliers cannot claim government loans until directly affected by default and as a result, a full review of imminent position would have to occurr before funds were approved - way too late. No it's better to avoid distress in suppliers and keep major manufacturing alive for now.

What case? If the carmakers go insolvent, workers become unsecured creditors - no lay off pay, no pensions.

I'm so glad the spotlight is now off Ford. The journalistic buzzards are now happily feasting on GM and Rick Waggoner's record.

I pray that some day we may beat all cancers.

Makes Ford's timely divesting of Jaguar/Land Rover look like a master stroke, wouldn't you say? Pitty they didn't roll Volvo up in the deal too, that would have saved at least another $720 million.

I'm betting on imbecilles. The people who were predicing $200/barrell oil by Christmas will have you believe that society in USA will unravel in late 2009 - what interesting cooks you have there.

I doubt it, those vehicles would now have fairly large inventory stock levels after the horror September and October sales, October year on year sales for those vehicles tanked, down between 35% to 70% Link to GM October figures Malibu was way up 129%, this might be the source of your rumor?

Under normal circumstances that logic is true but the US is on the brink of deep recession and the politicians are so scared of a depression, they're prepared to do nearly anything to avoid it. You start letting companies fail at the moment and look out!!! The point is now moot, both sides of parliament agree GM must be given immediate relief. I believe Ford will grab GM's drop in market share, something is going to happen in 2009.

Most if not all of GM's woes stem from North American expenses brought about by over capacity. It is Nth America that needs massive restructuring, GMoE by contrast is fairly well run. I don't think GM will be tossing out Opel or Saab as they would turn into fire sales.

I think the government has to be prepared to lose its money on GM. If loans are only meant to avoid imminent collapse, the government should accept that and call it population relief. Downsizing and increased loan repayments don't add up to a rosey future for GM especially if its products and vehicle volume could be replaced by competitors. You guys (and gals) are up late tonight, It's 5 pm in Australia...

...Yeh, I noticed that, His opinion is wrong and coloured by poor taste. :shades:....

A LHD version Falcon with waterfall grille called "Mercury Marquis" and 2,000/month is not a big ask...... But seriously, I hope they return a Sable after the all new Taurus debuts, it's good for mercury's image.

Yes but what if it's both? A rescued GM contracts to survive but then collapse because of poor products anyway.