Serious Question........

[Burt Munro]

 

I know we've got a long ways to go before an Auto Industry rescue plan is finalized, but it got me to thinking.......  I know first hand of some people who are directly impacted (talking about you Bernie) but how many others out there are employed directly by Chrysler, Ford or GM or one of their 1st or 2nd tier suppliers?

I know there's a lot of talk about letting them file for bankruptcy and see where the chips fall in a reorganization.  I've been through that in the airline industry and it's not pretty.  For the general public there's less exposure with the airlines - it's a one time deal - you buy the ticket, you fly, you're done.  You pay for the ticket with a credit card, you're protected.  An airline stops flying, you find another one. Repeat the cycle.

This is different - buying a plane ticket on an airline in financial trouble isn't the same as buying a car or truck that you'll own for several years and need to worry about future parts and service.   There are long term issues to be considered and the mere thought of an auto company not being around in a year or two will tend to be a self fulfilling prophecy. 

Kind of like buying insurance - would you buy a policy from a company when you thought there was a possibility that they might not be around when you need to file a claim?   We've already had 1 long standing Chevy dealership in the St. Louis area lock the doors and turn off the lights without any warning.

I'm not advocating an 'open the vault and give them everything they want' policy, but this has very serious potential implications for the entire country.

But back to the original question......  how many of you out there does this directly impact?

[Super Dave]

I have worked in the auto industry at a couple dealerships.

So, it won't impact me currently that way.

Personally, I don't believe that a bailout will sustain either manufacturer.  It will only serve to delay the inevitable.  My opinion, and it seems to be that of some others too.  I'd like to see one of them just step up and do it, I guess.  It's scary, regardless.

I reduced my inventory of three Fords to two Fords (got rid of two to get one that was newer and could do work I had done with two vehicles) this year.  So, if there is a parts supply problem, I'll be impacted. 

[funsizeracing]

Which dealership?

[r1owner]

Feld Chevrolet I believe.

[Burt Munro]

Right Scott,  Feld Chevrolet.

[Super Dave]

 

[r1owner]

I've been saying for at least 2 years that GM needs to get down to 3 (at most) divisions.  Chevrolet, Pontiac (maybe) and Cadillac.

No more GMC trucks... only Chevy trucks.

I know that GM "saves" money by selling the lamda in all it's forms (Traverse, Enclave, Acadia, Outlook), but it must cost them a ton of money to engineer/make/stock/service all those different fascias that are required not to mention the different interiors.  I would think they would be a lot better off having a lot less of that going on.

Back to Rick's question... I just bought a new G8, so I may have parts issues if they don't survive.  :(

[HAWK]

A bailout only rewards poor management and as has already been said won't fix the problem which will result in failure at a date to be announced. If the management team can't keep the business afloat then let it fail. I for one am sick and tired of seeing big business crush the workers that make up the backbone of corporations like the automakers so that the top managers can keep getting double digit raises every year.

One point that Burt may not be aware of is that following the rapid fire bankruptcies of the airline industry there were some rules changed in the corporate bankruptcy arena that really take the wind out of it for the top level managers. They can't play the games that they used to, so I think once the dust settles and they realize that they are not going to get billions dropped in their laps you will see that they can and will find a way to save the companies without their beloved bankruptcies.

[Woofentino Pugrossi]

I just bought a new G8, so I may have parts issues if they don't survive.  :(

Ya shouldnt. Just contact any Holden dealership in Australia since the G8 is nothing more than a rebaged Holden Commodore. :)

GM does need to restructure its dealers.

Chevy should be entry level to midsize cars (3 trim levels. Base, sport, premium)
Cadillac. Large cars, luxury
GMC. All trucks, vans and suv's
Pontiac. Performance division. Corvette, Solstice/Sky & SS models.

Dump Saturn, Buick, Hummer and place teh vehicles of the threee that sell into their respective categories. Ie Saturn Astra to Chevy Astra. No car models should cross brand lines. Ie There should be no Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 (same car, different bumpers). Pick one.

GM dealers can sell the lines they want.

[tstruyk]

I just bought a new G8, so I may have parts issues if they don't survive.  :(

thats why I bought an Acura (honda), parts arent needed for 150,000 miles... 

of course I thought the same thing about my yamaha... 

[r1owner]

thats why I bought an Acura (honda), parts arent needed for 150,000 miles... 

of course I thought the same thing about my yamaha... 

Ouch!  I remember when we used to be friends.  You've changed... I feel like I don't even know you anymore.

[gpz11]

Well, I work for Dana so we all got "the talk" last week. First they are doing voluntary layoffs and then involuntary layoffs. It all depends on how many people take the voluntary will effect the involuntary layoffs.

It has been a rough week for us.

Personally, I think the automaker's should file for bankruptcy so they can redo all those contracts that they have. I don't know which one it is but I think it's chapter 11, not chapter 7.