US car makers in trouble

[ManDownUnder]

Old news I know - but this is classic (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10544237)!

a few tidbits

"WASHINGTON - Chances dimmed yesterday that a last-minute US$25 billion ($46.6 billion) plan to bail out United States vehicle makers would receive enough backing before the weekend as chief executives of the three biggest car makers were criticised for flying to Washington in private jets for the hearing."

then further down

"Couldn't you have downgraded to first class or something, or jet-pooled or something to get here?" :clap:

[Manxman]

Old news I know - but this is classic (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10544237)!

a few tidbits

"WASHINGTON - Chances dimmed yesterday that a last-minute US$25 billion ($46.6 billion) plan to bail out United States vehicle makers would receive enough backing before the weekend as chief executives of the three biggest car makers were criticised for flying to Washington in private jets for the hearing."

then further down

"Couldn't you have downgraded to first class or something, or jet-pooled or something to get here?" :clap:

Let the feckers crash & burn.

Nah, then the only ones to suffer will be the employees and general populace (less $ in the economy, therefore everyone loses).

It's just a shame that the ar$eholes at the top can't suffer more in a downturn...they certainly rake it in during the good times.

My blood boiled ;) when they were asked (after oh-so-honourably stating that they had sacrificed half their salary) if they would give up the other half. None of them would.:angry2:

[SPman]

I see the 2 Chinese car firms, SAIC and Dongfeng are looking at buying GM & Chrysler........(GM is worth less than Mattel toys).
China's overseas reserves are around 2 Trillion dollars, apparently, so , what's 100 billion to buy up a couple of car firms, to get market share in the US...........anyone for a Dongfeng Eldorado......:whistle:

[James Deuce]

Why does everyone call them car manufacturers? They can't make cars.

[Swoop]

US car manufacturers need to make big cars!
Catering to the "would you like to upsize that meal?" public.

[enigma51]

Funny thing about toyota and nissan usa doing alright

[CookMySock]

........(GM is worth less than Mattel toys).......anyone for a Dongfeng Eldorado......:whistle:Nah, but I'd buy a Dongfeng Barbie..

Steve

[trustme]

I get flash backs to the British motorcycle industry. Another bunch of slow learners selling what they think people want , but it aint necessarily so.

[Switch]

I have a feeling the age of the thirsty un-economical American V8's is passing. Yes i do love American muscle cars, But the japs have been making fast cars with half the amount of cylinders, that go just as fast, if not faster.
Why cant the American car manufacturers get decent horsepower out of their v8s?

[Timber020]

I have a feeling the age of the thirsty un-economical American V8's is passing. Yes i do love American muscle cars, But the japs have been making fast cars with half the amount of cylinders, that go just as fast, if not faster.
Why cant the American car manufacturers get decent horsepower out of their v8s?

Same reason they cant get decent HP out of a harley. They have restrictions on EPA out put, are strategically inept, think R and D is for trying different trim colours, are lazy in manufacturing and innovation and have relied on a market that doesnt expect much so they dont give much.

[Switch]

Same reason they cant get decent HP out of a harley. They have restrictions on EPA out put, are strategically inept, think R and D is for trying different trim colours, are lazy in manufacturing and innovation and have relied on a market that doesnt expect much so they dont give much.

I find it incredible the lack of HP that they get out of V8 engines, I just dont understand why they havn't developed it more, surely they could make more sales if they developed them better?

[Hitcher]

If US car makers stuck to their core business of making cars, rather than also lending money to people to buy cars off them, they may not be in such sad shape.

[Paul in NZ]

If US car makers stuck to their core business of making cars, rather than also lending money to people to buy cars off them, they may not be in such sad shape.

Actually -um - have you seen the shapes of american cars... shudder...

[Swoop]

Same reason they cant get decent HP out of a harley. ...think R and D is for trying different trim colours,
No! All the R&D is for the "accessory" market. New handbags, footwear, etc, etc.

[Hitcher]

Actually -um - have you seen the shapes of american cars... shudder...

Some of them look half pie decent. I was surprised how many "Japanese" vehicles roamed the highways and byways of the USA. The ratio of these to vehicles of US origin was much higher than I had expected. Seeing Hondas and Nissans with thumping great V8s in them was also a surprise, but there is a large number of vehicles of similar size to the two litre mid size class here.

[davereid]

...Seeing Hondas and Nissans with thumping great V8s in them was also a surprise...

Those Jap V8s are very, very good - thats part of the problem for the American V8s.

I've got a Lexus V8 on the workshop floor at the moment, its going to end up repowering a V6 Pajero, which broke.

Nissans VH41 and VH45 V8s are also pure class.. they need very little work indeed to produce reliable power.

Poor quality seems to plague the US car industry. I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee for a short time.

Virtually everything broke...

New rear diff... auto locked in third.. climate control died... electric windows died... auto seat adjuster would change seating on you while you were driving...

Really not a car to own out-of-warranty.

[alanzs]

The US car manufacturers have been pushing their high profit SUV's for many years, knowing the end was in sight. Now, they'll reap what they sow. The US will bail 'em out...