I will say this:
I hope Chrysler will soon return to good times. I would hate to see Chrysler, GM, or Ford fail simply because of the economic turmoil we are currently in which is responsible for the slump in sales. (Let us not forget that the current economy is due to the collapse of the housing and financial industries not the automotive companies across the U.S.
This collapse can be easily traced back to the lending policies that have been in place now for years - How? Alan Greenspan himself admitted to the Senate that his policy was flawed and led up to the current economic situation we are in. HOWEVER I DON'T SEE ANYONE WANTING TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE!!! So do we allow major companies to falter because of him and his policies?
Let us not forget that BILLIONS of dollars were given to white collar executives to save various financial institutions MULTIPLE TIMES (think AIG). Then we seen them on the news the next week out west flying in on private jets, pulling up at the RESORT in Limo's, playing golf, getting massages, celebrating with TAXPAYER dollars. I DONT SEE ANYONE SAYING LET THEM FAIL or HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
How quickly we forget!!!!! It was the Big 3 who helped America produce various war items needed to not only kick Germany's butt but also Japan's DURING WWII. YET WE ARE WILLING TO THROW THEM TO THE CURB OR STICK A FORK IN THEM as some have stated below.
To put the current economic situation into perspective, Toyota for the first time in 70 years posted a loss. (cut and paste from online news article).
"Executives at Toyota Motors, the Japanese automaker, announced today that the company would post its first loss in 70 years, proving that the American auto giants and the overall American economy are wrapped in a global crisis."
Also, to allow the collapse of any of the big 3 would have serious far reaching ramifications to suppliers across the U.S. Regardless of how you feel about the bailout, that would only make things worse and longer lasting for the U.S. economy. Something that none of us should want to happen as some of us could very easily find ourselves affected by it.
FINALLY - FOR THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE TRANSPLANTS - ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION - HOW MANY OF THE TRANSPLANTS DONATED MONEY TO THE VICTIMS OF 911?
Read on - I will provide you with the address of this article if you dont believe it. This is a cut and paste from the website. Remember,,,,,Chrysler was own by Daimler at the time.
CNN Headline News did a short news listing regarding Ford and GM`s contributions to the relief and recovery efforts in New York and Washington. The findings are as follows......
1. Ford- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number plus 10 Excursions to NY Fire Dept. The company also offered ER resonse team services and office space to displaced goverment employees.
2. GM- $1 million to American Red Cross matching employee contributions of the same number and a fleet of vans, suv`s, and trucks.
3. Daimler Chrysler- $10 million to support of the children and victims of the Sept. 11 attack.
4. Harley Davidson motorcycles- $1 million and 30 new motorcycles to the New York Police Dept.
5. Volkswagen- Employees and management created a Sept. 11 Foundation, funded initial with $2 million, for the assistance of the children and victims of the WTC
6. Hyundai- $300,000 to the American Red Cross.
7. Audi- Nothing.
8. BMW- Nothing.
9. Daewoo- Nothing.
10. Fiat- Nothing.
11. Honda- Nothing despite boasting of second best sales month ever in August 2001
12. Isuzu- Nothing.
13. Mitsubishi- Nothing.
14. Nissan- Nothing.
15. Porsche- Nothing. Press release with condolences via the Porsche website.
16. Subaru- Nothing.
17. Suzuki- Nothing.
18. Toyota- Nothing despite claims of high sales in July and August 2001. Condolences posted on the website
I can only express hope that this infuriates and sickens each of you like it did me. Whenever the time may be for you to purchase or lease a new vehicle, keep this information in mind. I ask that you choose a product made by an American-owned and based company. Apart from Hyundai and Volkswagen, the foreign car companies contributed nothing at all to the citizens of the United States. It`s OK for these companies to take money out of this country, but not acceptable to return some in a time of crisis.
Anyway,,,,,just my
