More Govt. motors BS

[gypsyman]

Next couple weeks, don't be fooled, when you see a news article, on how GM is picking up in sales. Seems the govt. has ordered tons of new vehicle's from GM. Couldn't find out how many from Ford. Not only do we get to bail them out, our tax money is supporting them at both ends. Better get to work now, lots of GM workers need the assistance. Sure is getting to be a heavy load, millions on welfare,foreign aid, and hundred's of thousands of auto workers too.    gypsyman

[Conan The Librarian]

They got pretty creative when increasing the apparent sales figures for the volt too. A lot of the sales are related to a really cheap lease deal, and to government sales. It would be nice to know what the market really thinks of this type of car, but you really can't tell from the sales numbers.

[magooch]

GM is synonymous with the state of the country and where it is headed--pouring good money after bad in an attempt to borrow there way out of debt and spend themselves into prosperity.  It won't work for GM; it won't work for America and it is part of the reason that there won't be a GM product sitting in my driveway.

[Conan The Librarian]

I think there are three things about GM that are important:
1) They do make better cars now than, probably, ever before
2) Before the 'managed bankruptcy' they were the world's most dysfunctional large company
3) The short cuts that were applied in the 'managed bankruptcy' did not clean the company organization as a normal bankruptcy typically would, so it's still dysfunctional.
 
We have always used Consumer Reports and similar reports to help us select cars. All of those black circles have kept us away from GM products. We don't even look at them. The rental cars don't exactly make a splendid impression either lately, so I have gotten to the point where I specify that I prefer non-GM cars when arranging a rental. Ford Focus is a really nice rental, good mileage and comfort too.
 
 

[Dixie Dude]

With the government takeover, the government is it's biggest single customer.  Sometimes the feds twist the arms of the states by saying, we will cut off your highway funds if you don't buy GM vehicles when you replace your state vehicles.   I do know in Alabama, the state is buying Mercedes, Honda's, and Hundai's where possible.  All three are made in Alabama and the state is trying to support them.  Don't know if the feds have twisted arms or not to buy GM's. 

[Conan The Librarian]

I'm sure they make perfectly good fleet vehicles, rental cars, some pickup trucks and SUVs, and some other cars to, like maybe the corvette. Cruze seems to be well thought of by some reviewers. Volt is supposedly a good car if you can get past the price.
 
Strangely, I don't often find myself in the market for fleet vehicles, pickups or SUVs, rental cars, or corvettes.
 
I wish they had gone through the normal bankruptcy process. I think they could have emerged as a stronger company. A similar thing happened to Ford not that long ago. They were almost broke, and the Ford family used every option to keep the company going. They even used the blue oval symbol and trademark as collateral for some loans.  It turned out to make them a stronger and better company, much to their credit.

[Dixie Dude]

Chrysler almost went bankrupt back when Reagan was president.  They got a big government 2% loan.  They reorganised, sold off some stuff.  The feds in return to help them stay in business bought a bunch of fleet K cars and they got the M1A1 tank contract.  The feds also bought a bunch of Dodge trucks, including the military.  Chrysler used that time to develop the mini van and the Jeep Cherokee, the first SUV.  Those two vehicles are what got them out of the last big recession.  They in turned payed back the government loan.  However, this time instead of borrowing government money, Obama had them give the government controlling stock interest, like 51% of the stock.  They are supposed to divest themselves and sell the stock, but it hasn't got back up to break even status for the government to sell.  Bond holders for GM lost everything, but Obama kept the union pensions going, and the union pensions were what was bankrupting GM to start with.  One could work for GM 30 years and be 55 years old and retire with full benefits.  Maybe they should have made retirement later and raised it to 60 or so, at some point.  Someone living to 85 after retireing at 55 and getting full benefits is rediculous.  They should have allowed for cust in pension benefits to say 75% or 50% of working pay like most pensions. 

[Old Syko]

The key to Chrysler's recovery years ago was Lee Iaccoca and his management skills.  It is still funny to hear the story of his trying to present a check to pay off that loan and was all but refused because no one had ever done that before on a government backed loan.  Don't hold your breath waiting for another brilliant Italian business man to save GM.  The cash cow has developed too many front teats.     

[SHOOTALL]

I'm sure they make perfectly good fleet vehicles,our experince differs from yours but we do drive fleet vehicles not assume . rental cars, some pickup trucks and SUVs, and some other cars to, like maybe the corvette. Cruze seems to be well thought of by some reviewers. Volt is supposedly a good car if you can get past the price.
 
Strangely, I don't often find myself in the market for fleet vehicles, pickups or SUVs, rental cars, or corvettes.
 
I wish they had gone through the normal bankruptcy process. I think they could have emerged as a stronger company. A similar thing happened to Ford not that long ago. They were almost broke, and the Ford family used every option to keep the company going. They even used the blue oval symbol and trademark as collateral for some loans.  It turned out to make them a stronger and better company, much to their credit.