Sooo.... who thinks GM will meet the government deadlines and get their next big bailout and who thinks they'll be declaring bankruptcy in the next month or two in order to restructure?

I'd hate to see them get the bailout and then continue to lose money anyways causing them to take down even more with them.

Also, what are peoples thoughts on GM/Crystler cars and would you ever buy one again and if so, how much of a change would they need to make to them?

I personally can't stand driving American cars and grew up on Volkswagon's and am currently driving a Honda. It would take an awful lot for me to consider an American car and I thought the Volt would be a huge step in the right direction but I'm not so sure anymore. I saw a video of it on TV and the doors looked quite flimsy and I also found out they plan on selling it in the mid-$40,000 US when it comes out. I was expecting it to compete with the current Japanese Hybrinds but I guess not.

Muscle cars & Chev trucks will always be in my heart. I've owned these & Hondas as well. I think GM needs a major structural change & should be made to do it. Well if they get the federal money they will be made to do it that's a given. We only need one name for a truck not 2 or 3 for the same rig. If I was getting anything I think either a VW or a Hybrid Accord would be to my liking though.

haha they better not get the bailout,

gm/chrysler, besides the muscle car era i will never purchase a one of their vehicles, as simple they are pieces of shit and not built with quality.

i prefer to buy audi,bmw,volkswagen, volvo, and toyota, basically anything thats not built with cheap chinese shit. i prefer quality vehicles and willing to spend a little more for it

Another funny thing from the documentary I saw was the last Chrysler CEO (the one who just stepped down recently I believe) say that the current Chrysler cars are every bit as good as the Japanese counterparts. After that they showed former Chrysler CEO's making the same claims ever few years starting from the late 70's up until this one. It just seemed like another example of them shutting their eyes, covering their ears, and singing in order to not see or hear all the signs that they were headed in the wrong direction.

I think you're right though Tony about how North America can really only support 1 big manufacturer now instead of 3... I just wish that manufacturer was doing something innovative and pushing the industry more than the current 3 here are. Japanese introduce ABS breaks, Americans introduce bigger cup holders, Japanese increase fuel economy, Americans increase foot pedestals size for getting in their trucks/suvs - sounds like some good work.

This statement is not true.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system

There is actually very little in the way of automobile innovation which the Japanese can take exclusive credit for.

He's right, the germans do it again

The only thing I'd buy from the big three is a vette, viper or a GT. Seeing as I don't have that kind of money, I'll keep my rabbit thanks.

I'll insert my 2 cents and say something about the unrealistic goals from the current (and past) union leaders from the CAW. There is more than enough blame to throw around than just at the CEO's.

You got that right.

Ya... I don't really know a lot about cars but I was using those as examples to sarcastically show the differing priorities American cars seem to have with the rest of the world. While foreign cars seem to focus more on performance, whether it be in safety, handling, or fuel consumption, American cars seem to focus on "extras" and gimmicky things imo.

I think every company has made bad cars at one point or another in their past, but while others seem to learn from it the big three seem to keep hammering out the same stuff year after year despite trends.

And I agree with the unions being out of control as well and that's why I think a bankruptcy might be best for these companies so that they can free themselves from some of the weights that are dragging them down in order to restructure to what needs to be done... either way it's going to be a huge mess.

No new posts yet today? Ok new topic: Somali Pirates yarrr!

After that hostage situation, in which all the pirates were killed, you would think they would think twice about attacking another US ship but just last night they were at it again. Do you think cargo ships that pass through that area are going to start bringing weapons to fight back?

yarrr!