Be interesting to view your thoughts on The GM situation. We have been assured down here that GMH will not be effected in any way by changes occuring with parent company GM. We don't quite get the full story here about what led to this situation, the anticipated outcome and we hear that the US Gov stake is going to be around 60%? What will this mean?
Well, it means that GM Asia-Pacific Division is not part of this mess. Holden is not only safe, but Toyota and Holden are partnering to build new models from Australia. GM Canada isn't part of the bankruptcy either, but we became reluctant shareholders. We figure the new Government Motors will put the wheels on the roof and make it look like a dead cockroach.
Ultimately what it means is that another 20,000+ folks lose their jobs but it will mean that GM will live on. Hummer has a buyer so 3,000 jobs there will be saved.
GM was on a downward spiral for over 20 year. Its going to be very tough for the new GM to win back clients, especially with new potential players in the market from China and India. I sure hope that they pull it off, as many people's livelihood depends on the domestic automobile sector.
The problem isn't with the cars. Sure, the UAW wages and benefits went wild and drove up costs. But what ultimately killed GM and the big 3 is foreign competition. Think about it. When our parents and grand parents went to buy a car they had FAR fewer choices. And all were American made, save for the VWs and some other sports cars. It makes me sick to listen to people cry about the big three going under when I see the parking lots filled with imported cars. We did this to ourselves. Well, not me. I buy American. What will happen to GM? Hopefully with some deadwood trimmed it will be able to stay with us for generations to come. But it comes at a price. Pontiac will be gone. We already lost Oldsmobile. Hummer will survive under a different company no doubt. What we need is for the younger generation to realize it is OK to buy an American car. But we need to get their parents out of their Camrys and Accords first!
All true but people like me don't help. I bought my Ranger 17 years ago. Last new vehicle I've bought. I did have a Datsun truck for a while that I bought in 82...used. OH yea! The 72 Vega was new. I don't think GM is living off those profits any more.
TBird, I had to use the city bus yesterday, and I got to really looking at it wondering where they get parts to maintain them and even upgrade them. We've got busses with street calling GPS systems, that are over 25 years old as well as new ones, all with the same add-ons. The dashes on the old ones are modular. They can peel them out and upgrade them with new gauges and switches. They upgrade the motors with less emitting fuel management technology, etc. It makes more sense to keep the older vehicles running than producing bling cars every model year. The manufacturers should think likewise and lead the bling market with futuristic lab cars blending efficiency and performance. Other than the cosmetic industry or fashion industry, there's no real need by consumers, to make disposable vehicles.
What sort of price (on road) is it over there for say an average entry level large family wagon? (That's local product rather than imports) The following link will take you to an Aus GM Holden base model VE Omega wagon add approx $3000 to the price shown for on road costs, and will help you compare. This is our large family wagon. CLICK HERE
You guys seem to be the only ones that have any. I haven't seen a new large wagon family wagon here for a long time.
