Is General Motors Worth Saving?

[spookyturtle 9,466]

How about if 2 million are also looking for your job?

That would mean there's approximately 15 jobs in the state of California. My concern would be of something much greater than a job if this were the case.

I meant the 2+ million people who would be affected by the collapse of the auto industry. Where are they going to find jobs in an economy of that scenario?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

When the wind stops, the unemployed can make sure the turbines keep moving.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I will likely get one of these next, in about 3-5 years. It's a Hyundai, gotta stay within my means.

They certainly make a decent vehicle.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Yeap, we own an Elantra right now, over 2 years now and so far so good. Not a single problem.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

When the wind stops, the unemployed can make sure the turbines keep moving.

Or they can collect all the hot air here to power a few major cities.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

My Accord was, by comparison, much more problematic early on. It's been good for the last few years though, once we worked through all the recalls and got all those damn defects warrantied.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

The biggest drawback to Hyundai, IMHO is the resale value. It is getting better, but it still has a way to go.

[Cassie 8]

GM also underestimated the demand of the Prius in a time when SUVs were still selling like hotcakes!

I agree.

When did the Prius become so in demand? Not until gas was $4 gallon.

Not sure what gas prices were in early 2006, but when we first went looking to buy one at that time, there was at least a 3-6 month waiting list at the local dealership, and you had to put $500 down to be on the list.

We liked having one -- it handled well, great mileage, deceptively roomy cargo space, and worked out for us while we had it.

[IAMX 3,055]

How about if 2 million are also looking for your job?

That would mean there's approximately 15 jobs in the state of California. My concern would be of something much greater than a job if this were the case.

I meant the 2+ million people who would be affected by the collapse of the auto industry. Where are they going to find jobs in an economy of that scenario?

I doubt the 2 million people in the auto industry have my education.

I also doubt those amount of jobs would disappear overnight, if there's even that many in this state in that industry. Why? Because cars would not disappear off the roads, and would not stop bring produced. The world doesn't begin and end with GM. Although, that would be a great marketing campaign for a bailout.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Not sure what gas prices were in early 2006, but when we first went looking to buy one at that time, there was at least a 3-6 month waiting list at the local dealership, and you had to put $500 down to be on the list.

Not because demand was sky high, but because supply was artificially low. They knew who their demographic was, and that they'd be "impressed" by the long waits. They were right.

[Cassie 8]

Impressed wasn't the word we were using at the time!

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I doubt the 2 million people in the auto industry have my education.

I also doubt those amount of jobs would disappear overnight, if there's even that many in this state in that industry. Why? Because cars would not disappear off the roads, and would not stop bring produced. The world doesn't begin and end with GM. Although, that would be a great marketing campaign for a bailout.

You really are full of yourself, aren't you?

[IAMX 3,055]

Impressed wasn't the word we were using at the time!

Definitely an acquired taste.

I doubt the 2 million people in the auto industry have my education.

I also doubt those amount of jobs would disappear overnight, if there's even that many in this state in that industry. Why? Because cars would not disappear off the roads, and would not stop bring produced. The world doesn't begin and end with GM. Although, that would be a great marketing campaign for a bailout.

You really are full of yourself, aren't you?

Oh, you mean not being apocalyptic, like yourself? Yeah, being realistic is quite a drag.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Not sure what gas prices were in early 2006, but when we first went looking to buy one at that time, there was at least a 3-6 month waiting list at the local dealership, and you had to put $500 down to be on the list.

Not because demand was sky high, but because supply was artificially low. They knew who their demographic was, and that they'd be "impressed" by the long waits. They were right.

Not many were being built for the US market at the time. It was a niche vehicle. It still isn't a high volume car for Toyota.

[IAMX 3,055]

Not sure what gas prices were in early 2006, but when we first went looking to buy one at that time, there was at least a 3-6 month waiting list at the local dealership, and you had to put $500 down to be on the list.

Not because demand was sky high, but because supply was artificially low. They knew who their demographic was, and that they'd be "impressed" by the long waits. They were right.

Not many were being built for the US market at the time. It was a niche vehicle. It still isn't a high volume car for Toyota.

I don't know many going for the base model Prius, so looking at closer to over $25,000, it's not going to sell more than any other car when they're averaging $10K - $15K. While people are going well over their means for houses, they seem to be doing much better with cars.

Edited November 14, 2008 by SRVT