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Smart Shopper Stories from the Sales Frontlines
48090 messages, Last post on Dec 05, 2009 at 5:45 PM
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Replying to: joel0622 (Nov 14, 2008 1:09 pm) I do agree it costs more to let them fail, than to bail them out. But, there's been a lot of fat in the factories and halls of GM, Ford, and even Chrysler for way too long. Just looking at GM, how many iterations of the Malibu are really viable? How about Chevy trucks vs GMC trucks? Ford isn't in much better shape. is Mercury really needed? Volvo? After the hatchet job Daimler did on Chrysler (and carried on by Cerebus), what's left? Challenger? Jeep? Ram trucks? Point of it all, yes, I believe we have to bail out the Detroit automakers. But, they have to put forth a viable pay back plan. That should include UAW shedding a good portion of its members, restructure the contract that's already in place. Cut dealerships, brands and white collar employees. The bailout shouldn't come for free, either. There should be a payback period...say 5 years....with interest. Don't forget that Toyota and Honda also employ U.S. workers. Expect a squawk from them. It's going to be painful, for certain. Even the more recent low gas prices aren't going to dig them out of this hole. I don't hear anyone proposing any of these painful remedies. I don't see any way around it, though. The onus of responsibility should be on the automakers...not waiting for Congress to just haphazzardly throw money at them. Unless the automakers come up with a plan that addresses all of the above, then I'm not so certain we should be willing to help, either. |
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 14, 2008 1:01 pm) Well, they (the left over 07s) kinda missed their boat, and since their biological clock is ticking, all compatible suitors (buyers) flock to the younger 09s 
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Replying to: chikoo (Nov 14, 2008 12:06 pm) Would you rather be referred to as "no one".  Couldn't resist. jmonroe |
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 14, 2008 12:54 pm) I've been in the car biz for 5 years, after getting laid off from a "secure" union job I had for 7 years before that. During my time working I realized that no job is secure these days, and the only thing you can do to have a competitive advantage is to know and learn as much as possible that you can apply to your career advancement. My previous Sales Manager told me: There is no such thing as luck. What luck really is, it's when preparedenss and opportunity meet. |
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 14, 2008 1:38 pm) Thats exactly what will happen, other companies will take up the slack. All those people who buy GM cars are not all of a sudden stop buying cars if GM disappears. They will buy something else and those companies will produce more cars, hire more workers and buy more parts and material. Yeah GM going bye bye would hurt in the short run but in the long run it would be better than a bail out. All a bail out will do is reward poor performance and that will hurt us in the long run.
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Replying to: chikoo (Nov 14, 2008 12:06 pm) |
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Replying to: snakeweasel (Nov 14, 2008 3:48 pm) While I agree with that, I don’t think it will happen fast enough. I really dislike the idea of “bail outs” but I’d rather save our economy than teach the Big 3 a lesson. I will say, that before we give them a “bail out” a damn good plan better be in place and this must include the elimination of bonus’s for exec’s who destroy companies and the auto union has to play a big part in this too; really everyone who has anything to do with the auto industry has to do their part. jmonroe
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My STI story continues (for Part One see here http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f09ff51/35949). We both waited couple of days - no calls, no "did you reconsider". Today they came back with 7 grand for my WRX. Now - this is an offer - a low one, but at least a real one. Now this is a level they actually made it possible to counter without being ridiculously higher. Six grand was a "highway robbery in daylight" type of thing. I think they totally misread me - they thought I fell in love and already sent new car party invitations - couldn't be further from truth. They probabaly also thought if they focus all attention on new car discount, I will simply give away my old car. What I said was "yes, I like it, yes I buy it, but only if such and such" - they simply did not get to that part. I committed if they put $7700 we sign papers on Saturday afternoon - and I mean that - it is my real price. It's exactly half way between my originally imagined value of $8500 and their second offer. Will see where it will go. I feel at that level I would get the most of the money, with a small concession on the trade. Deal comes of off skinny for them, but won't get totally clubbed. Let's see if they take it. Why do I post it here? Because ultimately I'm selling my car. Since VIP program made selling and pricing STI easy and quick, it's now about me being able to convince them they can live with collecting a few hundreds for sale and the investment of $7700 into WRX will ultimately pay off  To be continued?
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Replying to: joel0622 (Nov 14, 2008 1:09 pm) "But the stark fact remains: Absent a bailout, GM dies, and with it much of manufacturing in America. Congress needs to do the right thing -- now " Trying not to shock joel but I agree with you completely. I am a fiscal conservative, but those who are playing stance in this situation are not being honest . Has the UAW not been a killer to Detroit ? No question and has there been any solution to abbrogate the influence ? And do not the three have financing units and is the financing of banks more sacred ? Paulson's an idiot . Let me contradict what I said previously. It's a brave new world and I am suffering under the collective wisdom of our legislative bodies. At this portion of the economic cycle I really don't wish to see three million added to the unemployed payrolls should the three go under. Schadenfreude, a German term that reflects on joy at the misery of others. Ok besides 3 million added to the unemployment rolls, 8, 000 parts suppliers that not only supply the three but Honda, Toyota, Nissan. Remember those domestic factories ? Should the big 3 , ok 2 1/2 fail the auto parts suppliers would be next leading to a dominance of Chinese parts after market .Hint to congess : quit calling it a bail out and style it as a loan Second hint, you are so shameful your opinion shouldn't really count.
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Replying to: driver100 (Nov 14, 2008 12:40 pm)
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