Comments on: Financial bailout of the American auto industry, greater MPG and higher emissions standards

By: Gene

Gene — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:33:05 +0000

Rather than take either view which history will determine one or both to have been rediculous, look to what can be achieved. It is clear to the auto makers will make what sells, as any business does. We have seen an attempt at making hybrid vehicles for those that want them, and they continue to make suv’s and trucks for those of us that want or need them as well. Money has already been set aside for helping the auto makers to produce more fuel efficient cars. Examine instead why some so called foreign auto makers have had better sales. Why do we persist in calling the big three “American” when they in fact are global and have interests in so called “foreign” car companies. Isn’t Daimler Chrysler a “foreign” company by the same standard? Can not the oil companies which have been the paramours of the auto industry for so long share their billions in profits for past favors. Granted it is a tough time for all of us, but keep in mind you and I are the ones doing the bailing out, with only the hope of the benefits trickling down to us over an extended period of time, while we both may be out of work and home before the trickle gets here. Cars already are sitting waiting for someone to buy them at record special pricing. If the money were in the hands of the people instead of the businesses, the people would pay their bills and begin buying again, which would be the greatest stimulus. 700 billion dollars divided by a few hundred million households? Wouldn’t that have been a better bailout.

By: Rvdixie

Rvdixie — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:59:27 +0000

So here’s the deal Joni. You always have the opportunity to dictate what is built by your control of your purse strings. You also have the right to believe in all of this green house, global warming bs if you want to. In that case be sure you only buy cars, foods, clothing etc that meet your standards. Just don’t impose those standards on those opposed to your views. That leaves the door wide open for someone to start a new company aimed at pleasing people with your beliefs. It you are correct the company will be a huge success, if not it will fail miserably. That’s the beauty of a capitalistic economy. As to GM and the others I say let them fail. We have no business shoring up a losing business model. Let them build the cars we want at the price we want to pay whether they are green cars or not. The market will reward the companies that make the right decisions and punish those that don’t.

By: RV Salesman

RV Salesman — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:48:39 +0000

let GM fail or let them all go BK just like any other business that cannot run itself above board. they have been spending money not making it, like crazy over the last 5 years let them feel it now.

By: Joni

Joni — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:48:11 +0000

I really hope that this negative, close-minded mentality doesn’t represent the majority of the RV industry. New and better innovation will only come with more and stricter regulations. Until they are forced to do so, many companies will just stick to current business practices, even when better technologies may bring them lower costs and higher profits. Lets not be scared of change, it is an opportunity to make the RV industry and the auto industry better. Those who are first to change will succeed, those who fight it will lose.

By: David Helton

David Helton — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:01:40 +0000

Mike Martinkus is on the money about government interference . If the government does not back off on business regulation and control from the local , state and federal level this country will not make it . The government does not keep this country going. Industry and small and large business pay the bills .

By: Mike Martinkus

Mike Martinkus — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:32:51 +0000

The auto industry is in trouble BECAUSE of government interference. Interference on behalf of unions, OSHA, EPA,SBA, affirmative action and on and on. The gov needs to help our big three out of the mess that the last 10 administrations and congress got them into and then get the heck out of their way and let free enterprise, American ingenuity and capitalism propel them back to profitability and witness a quantim leap back to the forefront of worldwide automobile production.
The same holds true for the Housing industry, steel production, railroads,oil exploration, banking, farming,
mining, airlines and –well you get the idea.
Will Rogers was dead on the mark when he said “Just be thankfull you’re not getting all the government you’re paying for”

By: Darlene

Darlene — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:29:03 +0000

This is not the time to be dictating exactly how that money is used. This is the time to try to save the millions of American jobs that will be lost if these giants go belly up.
These tree huggers needed to be in New England last winter when we received over 12′ of snow…..Global what???

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» Financial bailout of the American auto industry, greater MPG and … — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:58:02 +0000

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