Let's sum up what is now readily apparent about this situation:
1.Obama and his cronies are running two American car companies now.
2. By default, he's proposed draconian design parameters with his "pick a number out of the air" fuel mileage mandate.
3. His energy and tax policies are going to raise the cost of transportation by an unbearable amount while NOT solving any "( non-existent) climate change" or "energy shortage" problem.
4. There is every likelihood that, given his proclivity for thugishness and strong-armed tactics, he will force you out of your older, non-Obama conforming vehicle, and.....
5. His economic "stimulus" plan isn't, and in fact will extend and probably deepen the economic distress in more ways than meets the eye, one of which is the eventual complete failure of GM and Chrysler.
And those are just the cluster f**ks I anticipate off the top of my head.
Excerpts from the WSJ article:
"Mr. Obama's fleet-mileage partners yesterday included the two auto companies that have fallen into his arms, Chrysler and GM, still-independent Ford, the major foreign manufacturers, United Auto Workers chief Ron Gettelfinger, and beaming representatives from the Sierra Club, Environmental Defense Fund and the Union of Concerned Scientists.
All that's left to arrive at the President's new destination for the American way of driving are huge, unanswered questions about technology, financing and the marketability of cars that will be small and expensive."
....and:
"These public goals notwithstanding, it still looks as if Ford, Chrysler and GM will be making cars they can't sell, or can't sell profitably. That might not be a problem if you're now Gettelfinger Motors. But still-independent Ford has private shareholders and creditors to answer. While GM and Chrysler attempt to meet the new standards with taxpayer money, Ford will have to do so on its own........One thing seems certain by 2016: Taxpayers will be paying Detroit to make the cars Americans don't want, and then they will pay again either through (trust us) a gas tax or with a purchase subsidy. Even the French must think we're nuts."Indeed.
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"Chrysler and GM will be making cars they can't sell, or can't sell profitably"
ReplyDelete--It seems to me the SUV's and luxury vehicles haven't worked out so well with these guys. These companies have seen the "green revolution" coming for decades, they should've known the end was near and done something about rather than produce expensive crap we don't need.
--brandonB
"These companies have seen the "green revolution" coming for decades, they should've known the end was near and done something about rather than produce expensive crap we don't need."
ReplyDeletePay attention, Brandon:
With fuel being around or under it's natural level of $2-2.50 per gallon, and with economic times returning to normal, SUV sales will thrive.
Like most other blog posts to which you "contribute", you missed the point, which in this case should have been painfully obvious even to you.
"Pay attention, Brandon: Blah, blah, blah, grumpy, grumpy, grumpy...!"
ReplyDeleteAnd like most of your predictions, I am quite certain this one will be proven wrong too.
"and with economic times returning to normal"
ReplyDelete--I am holding you to that wise one, since I am to ignorant to realize that markets and prices actually will not fluctuate.
"SUV sales will thrive"
--Especially once they go electric
;)
So, basically, since gas is cheap today, and the effect of added co2 emmissions does not affect our health or environment, there is no need to evolve with regards to transportation of people and goods? Am I getting the point? Educate me.
--brandonB
"Educate me."
ReplyDeleteWhy bother?
The net effect of that on you always is verbal Montezuma's Revenge.
"And like most of your predictions, I am quite certain this one will be proven wrong too."
ReplyDeleteAnd your specific experience/talent/knowledge in this field that qualifies you to make this statement is..........????