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AP Source: GM CEO Wagoner to step down immediately By TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer
Sunday, March 29, 2009
(03-29) 14:15 PDT DETROIT (AP) --
A person with knowledge of General Motors' plans says Rick Wagoner will step down immediately as chairman and chief executive of the struggling Detroit automaker.
The person asked not to be identified because Wagoner's plans have not been formally announced.
The move comes on the eve of President Obama unveiling his plan to reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry. Obama and other administration officials have said they would demand deeper restructuring from General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC before they would get any more government loans.
Both companies are living on a total of $17.4 billion in federal aid.
DIE GM. Most hated transportation company in the World.
I own a mechanic shop and I posted here that the most reliable cars are Honda and Toyota. And for that, I got lambasted by people calling me all types of names (but they didn't argue with facts).
Sorry to offend some of you, but American car brands are not as good as Honda or Toyota. Also, just because it's a Japanese brand doesn't make it a good reliable car (i.e. Mitsubishi). But American car manufacturers can learn a lot about quality control from Honda and Toyota.
Case in point my honda CRV 02 vs mother in laws 04 ford focus. The ford is a POS no two ways around it. When I visit I always make sure that I get at least one ride in the focus. It rattles, stutters and surges. The interior is falling apart and the radio sucks. I just sit back and smile to myself that I don't own this piece of crap. Then my GOP loving non tax paying FIL who hates mexicans ( but hires them to work) talk about HOW great fords are. What ever!
So now we'll have FM -- Federal Motors. The dickheads in DC are going to "guarantee" the warranties, WTF, over? I think this means they are going to guarantee the union contracts as it looks like those will survive the coming mergers where GM and Chrysler are gobbled up by European companies with all the merger expenses paid by U.S. taxpayers!
This deal is straight out of the Mussolini and Hitler fascist playbook for economic "order". We must have order above all else. Now bow and submit, worthless American sheep!
Back in 1999/2000, I was designing new VTOL flying cars and a master flying car navigational grid includingg anti-crash and collision avoidance systems. I was in touch with Moller, Boeing, NASA, etc, but remember reading a rumor about GM had a contract with (me) to engineer a new flying car. But, it never happened. In fact, my new designs were so far advanced (anti-gravity particle generator engines)that they "scouffed" at me and I never received a dime from any company or investor. All the big players HATE American innovation, and thats another reason why our country is toast. Without NEW INDUSTRIES we are all doomed. And because they kill innovation, they kill the entreprenural spirit which is needed to create the new industries. I said fvck it myself. Why work so hard for nothing? Fuck the future of the USA! Ever since Bush and the GOP regime took over, everything has gone to shit (for me) I hope things turn around, but look at GM now. I could have saved their ass a decade ago. Idiots. Detroit is toast.
Been following the posts on fark.com about this, and Tony, have you been posting there?
I am no way a fan of the govt. nationalizing any industry. But clearly in this case, GM - now dependent on TAXPAYER FUNDS - is accountable and is bound to conditions (since they have become quasi-nationalized by accepting the $). Clearly Rick Wagoner was not a good leader (proven over the past severals years) and needed to go.
Obama/the govt - representing all of us - the TAXPAYERS has the right to ask him to step down and anyone else for that matter (should they be judged ineffective in managing GM out of their quagmire).
IF GM had remained independent, and not taken any TARP or whatever the eff the funds are called, I would have to agree with you - the govt. should not dictate personnel decisions (in any non govt. entity).
Personally I think the $ going to GM are completely wasted...and the stock market tomorrow will probably be awful - if not, then well it's the PPT at work again.
Not happy with the outlook on the economy/future, however I am glad that stipulations and conditions are being upheld where TARP $ etc. have been granted.
Here's to new leadership at GM - hopefully they can turn it around...
Whatever one might think about Wagoner,or the money given to the Autos, the President of the United States telling a CEO of an iconic company like GM to hit the road, marks a sea-change for the US, and Western Democracy as we know it. Of all the other things have happened thus far, this is the most significant pivot point. Either its a one-off, or its the end of capitalism, and, the United States of America as well know it. Its straight out of the third-world dictators handbook.
GM CEO Wagoner to steps down. Another bozo takes his place. What? You think anything's going to change? The union is still there. They should've gone bankrupt so the Japanese could've bought the pieces.
I've owned 2 VW's in the past 8 years, the shitiest overpriced headaches out there.
Never again will i purchase a German uber-engineered car.
Germans make stuff that look great on paper but it is unreliable because it is overengineered.
I have an unreliable Bosch gas range/oven. The circuit board is in the path of the hot air exit from the oven! After a few weeksn of replacing the board, it starts acting up again. The oven becomes huanted. The light will turn on. It will start beeping. It will even turn itself on!
It looks great! And it performs brilliantly! But it's annoying/scary when not in use, and we hav to pull the plug if we go on vacation.
As a second car I have a 94 Mercury Cougar (they made about a billion of them). Sure this isn't GM but anyhow.
So the rear window gets broken and I get a new one from the junk yard, and bring it to a shop to get installed.
When I pick it up the shop guy tells me he COULDN'T BELIEVE how fucked up the interior design was. He had to disassemble entire rear interior to replace the window. Took him nearly the whole day.
American's did want sh*tty cars with sh*tty mileage - and not one of those millions of Escalade/Hummer/Yukon buyers really gave much thought to design
GM just gave us what we wanted because we are too shallow and short-sighted and materialistic to ask for something more practical. And our leaders told us we could have what we wanted with no repercussions.
"...the President of the United States telling a CEO of an iconic company like GM to hit the road, marks a sea-change for the US, and Western Democracy as we know it..."
BULLSHIT: the goal is to destroy a significant swath of highly-paid middle class.
One question for the union bashers: why do the executives/others tell us that it is health care cost that busted them; any thoughts/discussion about that?
"Meet the Jetsons said... ..........All the big players HATE American innovation, and that’s another reason why our country is toast......" ============================ Partly right! The "Big 3" players hate ALL innovation that they either didn't invent themselves (disc brakes, rack & pinion steering) and/or if somebody over here did invent it, its going to cost them money to re-tool the assembly lines (I remember the salesman pooh-poohing air bags when they first came out because his cars didn't have them!)
Humans are slow to change, especially when the "top of the pile" are going to be out some dough, even if temporarily. It used to be that when they started to consistently lose money to their competition that they started seriously playing catch up.
US Manufacturers cannot build small cars at a profit, everyone here should know that.
When healthcare costs and lawsuit costs tack $4k to the cost of US cars versus foriegn the smaller less profitable cars suffer.
The mid-size, large cars, SUVs and trucks that the US makers produce are top notch, no doubt. To bad America is full of so many "I'm only out for myself" types that we don't support our good jobs and manufacturing base.
How can anyone spurt broad range statements about how shitty Chysler is is? Have you not seen the new Chargers, the Crossfire and the coolest car to hit showrooms in decades....the new Challenger?
Lots of mindless, brainwashed American job haters around.
"How can anyone spurt broad range statements about how shitty Chysler is is? Have you not seen the new Chargers, the Crossfire and the coolest car to hit showrooms in decades....the new Challenger?"
Easy.
Fuck Cool. Shitty unsellable cars wrong for the time built by a bankrupt and doomed company: CHRYSLER.
Wake up fools, the UAW killed GM, not the cars directly.
GM knew 10+ years ago they needed to improve in econ, reliability and hybrid. But they had to feed the beast that is UAW and its pensions and benefits. 75% of GM's profit came from SUV's, most of it Tahoes and Suburbans. A Tahoe and Suburban is just a 1/2 ton pickup with a campershell. And they mark them up $10k or more over the truck. It's the only way they could even HOPE to keep thier head above water because of the UAW.
Now, if you want to say they should have given the union the bird years ago, then yes you have a point. But to sit here and say "die GM u pig" or "they build crappy cars therefore they failed" is ignorant. Had they "improved their business model", as you rocket scientists point out, years ago, they would have crumbled under the weight of the union contracts.
Now go ahead socialists and governement employees, defend your communism all you want. It will dig us even further in the hole and eventually bury us!
The two main problems here, were, GM didn't save for a rainy day, and, no one is buying ANY new cars. So let's say this idea works. In a year, GM restructured in to a lean and mean green-car machine maker. Ok, then who will buy the cars? Well, Obama and Geithner will figure out how to get you the loan, or the cash, or the subsidy discount price. What's the end product of it all, factoring in the continuing bailout of financials etc., massive new social programs etc.? Anybody earning above the poverty line paying 70-90% taxes, cause guess what, there's NO OTHER WAY TO DO IT. No more middle class, or upper middle class, but a small group of oligarchs, and government officials on the take. And we know what that model looks like.
dont fool yourself, Keith. It's about the health-care , that got out of control. Gm and Chrysler made pretty competitive cars (from the price point of view). p.s. i own a bmw and kia :)
Wagner will be fine (like the rest of these crooks), but there will be many, many more jobs lost now due to their poor and short-sighted management decisions.
A good percentage of the entire automotive supply-chain will now be headed towards the gutter.
Perhaps now, the media will start calling this economic crisis what it has already been for quite sometime ... a fullscale depression.
The Japanese make the best cars, nobody is even close.
That said, 20 years from now, the Chinese and Indians will be making 90% of all the cars.
It hath been foretold. ----------------------------
that is the truth. it wasn't that long ago that Japanese cars were shitty and anything else made in japan had the quality of today's goods out of china.
TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT or HOW THE US TAXPAYER CONTINUES TO GET FUCKED HARD AND LONG BY ANOTHER DEAD POS COMPANY - CHRYSLER
FIAT = Fix It Again Tony = SHIT
DIE CHRYSLER. DIE UAW. DIE
Chrysler has reached an agreement on a framework of a global alliance with Italian automaker Fiat that has the support of the US Treasury, Chrysler's CEO Bob Nardelli said on Monday.
"We appreciate the willingness of the (autos) Task Force, along with industry and financial experts, to consult closely with us in order to achieve this significant step," Nardelli said in a statement.
The boards of Chrysler and Fiat have given executives approval to complete an alliance that now hinges on the terms for additional aid for Chrysler, people with knowledge of the discussions have said.
Nardelli said that Chrysler has had a series constructive discussions, including weekly face-to-face meetings with the US auto task force.
"I want to personally assure all of our customers, dealers, suppliers and employees that Chrysler will operate 'business as usual' over the next 30 days," he said.
BUSINESS AS USUAL. MAKING SHIT NOBODY WANTS AT A LOSS IN QUANTITY.
Tony said... I have a serious problem with the Obamy administration dictating who should run a company, even though they are surviving on tax payers money..
This deal is straight out of the Mussolini and Hitler fascist playbook for economic "order". We must have order above all else. Now bow and submit, worthless American sheep!
In a genuine supply and demand society, companies COMPETE for customers by filling need or desire with quality and value. This company needs to die so their mafia subgroup can stop manipulating government and suppliers. In a non GM environment we are open to non subsidized startups that operate from a non politicized platform and won't cater to oil. You know, companies that start in American garages with great creative ideas.Companies that are based in true Freedom, American ideals, and raw human innovation. Yes, people that have pride in their work and make shit you would want.
Why the hell didn't the U.S. fire the heads of the auto unions and their inner circle of advisors??!!
It makes no sense to fire Wagoner and the board and let those rotten union stiffs who have driven this company into the ground to remain in place.
This country is fucked up. This Administration is totally fucked up.
BO has less than 90 days in office and he is shaping up to be one of the worst president of all time...perhaps the worst. It took Carter four years to achieve that goal and Bush eight. BO seems hell bent on taking the title in 90 days.
Where is the outrage that the union heads are still intact? Where is the media on this? Why aren't they writing about this today?
No wonder why that profession is going into obsolesence. They can't hide anymore. The blogosphere is and will destroy them.
Call the White House and Congress and tell these bastards to fire the union heads.
Anonymous said... US Manufacturers cannot build small cars at a profit, everyone here should know that.
When healthcare costs and lawsuit costs tack $4k to the cost of US cars versus foriegn the smaller less profitable cars suffer.
The mid-size, large cars, SUVs and trucks that the US makers produce are top notch, no doubt. To bad America is full of so many "I'm only out for myself" types that we don't support our good jobs and manufacturing base.
How can anyone spurt broad range statements about how shitty Chysler is is? Have you not seen the new Chargers, the Crossfire and the coolest car to hit showrooms in decades....the new Challenger?
Lots of mindless, brainwashed American job haters around.
Had a Honda CRX- the floorboards and rear quarter panels rusted out, needed new struts and driving rack after a few years.
Had 2 Nissan Sentras - the older one was better. The second one the door fell off and it had no power whatsoever (too heavy given engine size).
Have never owned an America car because I grew up in the late 70s/early 80s when they were simply hideous (think K car, Horizon, "new" Transams and Vettes, etc.)
Newer American cars are looking good and their quality is equivalent or exceeding that of the Japs - not my words, but scientifically tested fact my friends - it is really unfortunate that the banks are killing them off at this point because they were close to turning around - maybe that is why they did it, they do not want us to have good paying jobs or the ability to produce you stupid fucking retards.
When they say, we are the US will be the thinkers and the rest of the world will make the stuff, just remember the phrase "ideas and/or opinions are like assholes - everyone has one."
I have never been in a union, but union bashing for union bashing's sake is the mark of an utter and complete fucking retard. The U.S. did its best when there was high union membership. On that note, it is evidently not the unions you stupid fucking retards.
Name me one Japanese car that will be a classic (and no 280z's and the like do not count - they are pieces of shit.)
Finally, instead of parroting the talking heads, use your own fucking heads for a change.
GM Mgmt : The poster boys for American Mgmt; fat, dumb and lazy.
Paid to fail. Year after year, they gave themselves bonuses no matter how piss poor their performance was. And they rigged Boards of Directors to go along for the free ride as well.
Until, of course, they broke the companies soooo badly, there's no putting back these Humpty Dumpty's ever again.
[i]Name me one Japanese car that will be a classic (and no 280z's and the like do not count - they are pieces of shit.)[/i]
There aren't any. As for the late '70s and early '80s GM products, many of them are indeed becomming classics. A 1987 Buick Grand National is one example. In the days of my youth, many folks were driving Honda Accords and Civics. Most were scrapped long ago, and nobody cares. Certainly not me.
If GM goes, I'll wait until the Chinese start importing before I buy my next car. They all look the same anyway, and if they're not made here I'm going to want the cheapest I can get with a warranty. Sorry, Texans.
I own a mechanic shop and I posted here that the most reliable cars are Honda and Toyota. Toyota sent over a nice Asian chick to my apartment and Mr. Honda sent me a plaque.
I forgot to mention that somehow I manage to make a living repairing asian cars, even though they don't break.
I miss that cute little Asian chick, so Toyota if you are listening......
American car brands are not as good as Honda or Toyota. But American car manufacturers can learn a lot about quality control from Honda and Toyota.
"BULLSHIT: the goal is to destroy a significant swath of highly-paid middle class."
That and destroy what is left of the collective bargaining power of the worker (unions) that good Americans died to build.
Oh no wait, I changed my mind. We Americans suck and we build shit. We do not deserve good wages or benefits or retirements. We should be so lucky to have Toyota and Honda sell us our cars forever and China sell us everything else we need. I am pissing on myself right now. Can I get on the bandwagon?
Keith said: "Anyone want to bet Wagoner and Mozilo are connected in some way?"
Interesting...
Our new kick-ass AG has his hands tied (or perhaps stuck up some orifice somewhere) as far as prosecuting obvious pieces-of-scum like, ummm... (gee, how to pick one?) Orange Man, for example...
because The Connections...
get really really complicated, really really fast.
Of all the cars I've had, and it's been a few, I've only needed an Auto Club card for the Ford, over and over. I recall it overheated the day I brought it home from the dealer, brand new. I gave it away, as in "take it."
Have you seen the Simpsons episode where he designed a car? This is how pretty much all american cars look to me...like Homer says "it's funny because it's true".
Whenever I rent a car it's usually an American POS. Lots of rattles and vibrations and a noisy, course engine. Even the Chrysler 300M and a Cadillac are pieces of shit, with a sofa-like ride and disconnected steering so you have minimal tactile feedback on the road conditions. Most US cars aren't meant to be driven above 80 MPH- they can get there but they aren't so smooth at or above that speed.
Japanese cars are usually of higher quality. I have a 2008 Honda Accord 2.4 Navi, that is a pretty well designed car. Looks good, and can go up to about 115 MPH (180 kph) without much difficulty. I've only driven the car 25,000 km but have had no mechanical / maintenance issues besides oil changes.
I used to have a company provided BMW 525. It was pretty slow acceleration from standstill but once it got moving it was great. It would handle better at higher speeds. It could cruise at around 200 kph or 125 miles per hour and would feel quite solid & stable. Here in Thailand you can drive that fast but must be prepared to stop unexpectedly. And this is where the BMW really shines. I had to do a panic stop from 180 kph to zero and the BMW brakes, when mashed down, feels like the hand of God comes out of the sky and pulls that car backwards. Absolutely fantastic.
The downsides to the BMW was that it had many problems in the onboard computer / electrical system and needed to be serviced almost every month. Spare parts were crushingly expensive, for example a new set of headlights were $1000 USD (that is, here in Thailand where imported parts are taxed heavily). Honda's & Toyota's are much cheaper here, in terms of service.
When I was in the UK I rented a Ford Mondeo, which was a diesel and a 6 speed manual. It was surprisingly quick and fairly fun to drive. It was still a Ford and the handling wasn't perfect but it would cruise at up to 90 MPH without problems (I wouldn't go faster for fear of speed cameras) and I drove it from Stansted (London area) all the way up to Manchester and then up to Newcastle and back to Manchester. The amazing thing was that it was getting about 52+ MPG, and I filled it more than once and know my calculation was accurate. It was a heavy car, travelling fast and could still get more than 50 MPG? I didn't calculate Gallons as imperial gallons rather took the liter amount of diesel and divided it up by 3.78 to get to US gallons. It is such a crying shame that Ford car in the UK can achieve this type of MPG while US residents are so happy to get 27 MPG as the poster in this thread mentioned!
As for the claim in 2020 that 90% of the cars will be produced in China & India, I will dispute that claim for 2 reasons:
1. It's usually a good idea to source your production in the same area where your markets / sales are. Shipping costs for cars are pretty high. While India & China auto markets and production will undoubtedly grow exponentially, there will still be production in other countries to cover North America, South America and Europe. Africa may be served out of West India by sea freight into East Africa.
2. There's that pesky trade deficit issue. Given that cars are one of the biggest purchases families make after a house, it wouldn't make sense from a trade balance perspective to have 90% of the worlds production in China & India. Probably 40%-50% to match the population there but not 90%. That's just not going to happen.
GM and Chrysler needs to declare bankruptcy. Wagoner should've gambled and declared bankruptcy than go to the govt for help. If anything, he should've declared bankruptcy and then get the auto bailout. The Dec 2007 auto bailout simply went straight to those union workers.
PerpWalkWatch - # of Hours New AG Eric Holder Has Let Angelo Mozilo Run Free
Eric Holder and Barack Obama Failure to Arrest Angelo Mozilo 2862 Hours (countdown suspended 6/21/2009)
ERIC HOLDER - YOU ARE A COWARD
DO YOUR JOB
(UPDATE 6.4.09 - SEC CHARGES MOZILO WITH INSIDER TRADING. YET ERIC HOLDER STILL SITS ON HIS ASS AND DOES NOTHING)
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70 comments:
DIE GM.
Most hated transportation organization in the World.
Sharp pitchforks for GM soon.
IT'S ABOUT FUCKING TIME DEPT:
AP Source: GM CEO Wagoner to step down immediately
By TOM KRISHER, AP Auto Writer
Sunday, March 29, 2009
(03-29) 14:15 PDT DETROIT (AP) --
A person with knowledge of General Motors' plans says Rick Wagoner will step down immediately as chairman and chief executive of the struggling Detroit automaker.
The person asked not to be identified because Wagoner's plans have not been formally announced.
The move comes on the eve of President Obama unveiling his plan to reinvigorate the U.S. auto industry. Obama and other administration officials have said they would demand deeper restructuring from General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC before they would get any more government loans.
Both companies are living on a total of $17.4 billion in federal aid.
DIE GM. Most hated transportation company in the World.
GM SUCKS. PLEASE DIE NOW!
Hummers.
It's not about shitty design or shitty mileage.
Japs design cars for short people and women. They have been the primary revenue source for the past decade.
I would be very interested to find out what kind of parting gifts he receives.
Anyone want to bet Wagoner and Mozilo are connected in some way?
Chrysler Next.
Nardelli back to selling toilets and plumbing supplies where he belongs.
Drive a wooden stake through Chryslers heart and kill it once, for all and FINALLY.
DIE GM AND CHRYSLER. WE HATE YOU BOTH.
Keith said...
Anyone want to bet Wagoner and Mozilo are connected in some way?
______________________________________________________________________
Keith,
Mozilo is connected to everyone. He F*cked us all. Now the only question is did he use a condom?
I own a mechanic shop and I posted here that the most reliable cars are Honda and Toyota. And for that, I got lambasted by people calling me all types of names (but they didn't argue with facts).
Sorry to offend some of you, but American car brands are not as good as Honda or Toyota. Also, just because it's a Japanese brand doesn't make it a good reliable car (i.e. Mitsubishi). But American car manufacturers can learn a lot about quality control from Honda and Toyota.
"keith said...
Anyone want to bet Wagoner and Mozilo are connected in some way?"
Definitely. I'll take some of that.
Quality of their trucks and suvs have been superior compared to my Volvo.
(Maybe Volvo has TERRIBLE quality...duh.)
Hondas and Toyotas are assembled in America.
I've had 3 Acuras, all used. Best car ever and really fun to drive.
Ooooobaaaamy!
Gimme Cheese.
I have a serious problem with the Obamy administration dictating who should run a company, even though they are surviving on tax payers money..
Perhaps the tax payers get to vote who should be CEO?
Next thing ya know...
"The Ooobaaamy administration replaces the author of this blog"??
I've been driving a Chevy Equinox for 2 years. No problems, so far. I'm getting around 27 mpg on the highway--not too shabby.
True GM cars suck.
But European cars are the crappiest of the bunch.
I've owned 2 VW's in the past 8 years, the shitiest overpriced headaches out there.
Never again will i purchase a German uber-engineered car.
German engineering ended with WWII..
Obama requested Wagoner resign.
Pretty soon Obama is going to make Chavez look like an amature.
Case in point my honda CRV 02 vs mother in laws 04 ford focus. The ford is a POS no two ways around it. When I visit I always make sure that I get at least one ride in the focus. It rattles, stutters and surges. The interior is falling apart and the radio sucks. I just sit back and smile to myself that I don't own this piece of crap. Then my GOP loving non tax paying FIL who hates mexicans ( but hires them to work) talk about HOW great fords are. What ever!
Surreal.
Feel like I'm watching Idiocracy by Kafka, or maybe Machiavelli.
nissan and hundai are better than american too.
So now we'll have FM -- Federal Motors. The dickheads in DC are going to "guarantee" the warranties, WTF, over? I think this means they are going to guarantee the union contracts as it looks like those will survive the coming mergers where GM and Chrysler are gobbled up by European companies with all the merger expenses paid by U.S. taxpayers!
This deal is straight out of the Mussolini and Hitler fascist playbook for economic "order". We must have order above all else. Now bow and submit, worthless American sheep!
Back in 1999/2000, I was designing new VTOL flying cars and a master flying car navigational grid includingg anti-crash and collision avoidance systems. I was in touch with Moller, Boeing, NASA, etc, but remember reading a rumor about GM had a contract with (me) to engineer a new flying car. But, it never happened. In fact, my new designs were so far advanced (anti-gravity particle generator engines)that they "scouffed" at me and I never received a dime from any company or investor. All the big players HATE American innovation, and thats another reason why our country is toast. Without NEW INDUSTRIES we are all doomed. And because they kill innovation, they kill the entreprenural spirit which is needed to create the new industries. I said fvck it myself. Why work so hard for nothing? Fuck the future of the USA! Ever since Bush and the GOP regime took over, everything has gone to shit (for me) I hope things turn around, but look at GM now. I could have saved their ass a decade ago. Idiots. Detroit is toast.
Oh, and I forgot.
Gasoline engines, pistons, fans, props and blades are all ancient history!!!
See why they hate me!?
Forget GM. They're toast.
This story about AIG will have legs.
http://zerohedge.blogspot.com/
Let me explain what just happened...
The US Government has just Nationalized a large portion of the US auto industry.
RayNLA
Payback is a b!tch...
Remember EV1?
He got what he deserved.
Ooooobaaaamy!
Gimme Cheese.
"Deficits don't matter."
Been following the posts on fark.com about this, and Tony, have you been posting there?
I am no way a fan of the govt. nationalizing any industry. But clearly in this case, GM - now dependent on TAXPAYER FUNDS - is accountable and is bound to conditions (since they have become quasi-nationalized by accepting the $). Clearly Rick Wagoner was not a good leader (proven over the past severals years) and needed to go.
Obama/the govt - representing all of us - the TAXPAYERS has the right to ask him to step down and anyone else for that matter (should they be judged ineffective in managing GM out of their quagmire).
IF GM had remained independent, and not taken any TARP or whatever the eff the funds are called, I would have to agree with you - the govt. should not dictate personnel decisions (in any non govt. entity).
Personally I think the $ going to GM are completely wasted...and the stock market tomorrow will probably be awful - if not, then well it's the PPT at work again.
Not happy with the outlook on the economy/future, however I am glad that stipulations and conditions are being upheld where TARP $ etc. have been granted.
Here's to new leadership at GM - hopefully they can turn it around...
Whatever one might think about Wagoner,or the money given to the Autos, the President of the United States telling a CEO of an iconic company like GM to hit the road, marks a sea-change for the US, and Western Democracy as we know it. Of all the other things have happened thus far, this is the most significant pivot point. Either its a one-off, or its the end of capitalism, and, the United States of America as well know it. Its straight out of the third-world dictators handbook.
"You mean people didn't want sh*tty cars with sh*tty design and sh*tty mileage? Who knew!"
Obviously not the sh*tty management...but they definitely *knew* how to build their own personal fortunes.
And now the taxpayers are stuck with their sh*tty debts.
Clawback, baby, CLAWBACK!
GM CEO Wagoner to steps down. Another bozo takes his place. What? You think anything's going to change? The union is still there. They should've gone bankrupt so the Japanese could've bought the pieces.
I've owned 2 VW's in the past 8 years, the shitiest overpriced headaches out there.
Never again will i purchase a German uber-engineered car.
Germans make stuff that look great on paper but it is unreliable because it is overengineered.
I have an unreliable Bosch gas range/oven. The circuit board is in the path of the hot air exit from the oven! After a few weeksn of replacing the board, it starts acting up again. The oven becomes huanted. The light will turn on. It will start beeping. It will even turn itself on!
It looks great! And it performs brilliantly! But it's annoying/scary when not in use, and we hav to pull the plug if we go on vacation.
As a second car I have a 94 Mercury Cougar (they made about a billion of them). Sure this isn't GM but anyhow.
So the rear window gets broken and I get a new one from the junk yard, and bring it to a shop to get installed.
When I pick it up the shop guy tells me he COULDN'T BELIEVE how fucked up the interior design was. He had to disassemble entire rear interior to replace the window. Took him nearly the whole day.
Thanks Ford!
>Never again will i purchase a German uber-engineered car.
Bullshit. I have a bmw, and it is the ultimate driving machine.
the face of failure: Rick Wagoner..kudos for engineering the precise 100,000 tranny blow out!
The Japanese make the best cars, nobody is even close.
That said, 20 years from now, the Chinese and Indians will be making 90% of all the cars.
It hath been foretold.
American's did want sh*tty cars with sh*tty mileage - and not one of those millions of Escalade/Hummer/Yukon buyers really gave much thought to design
GM just gave us what we wanted because we are too shallow and short-sighted and materialistic to ask for something more practical.
And our leaders told us we could have what we wanted with no repercussions.
Gotta love the unions holding out and making no concessions, thinking the government will cave.
Remember when Reagan fired the air traffic controllers? That's what we need now - Obama to fire the auto unions.
Of course, that won't happen, since the Dems are owned by the unions. And that's what the unions are betting on.
But if Obama is going to be a great president, his Lincoln moment would be letting GM and Chrysler fail, and head to Chapter 11.
I wouldn't bet on it.
But get some popcorn just in case.
"...the President of the United States telling a CEO of an iconic company like GM to hit the road, marks a sea-change for the US, and Western Democracy as we know it..."
Yep. This is IT.
Obama said...“We think we can have a successful U.S. auto industry..."...
BULLSHIT: the goal is to destroy a significant swath of highly-paid middle class.
One question for the union bashers: why do the executives/others tell us that it is health care cost that busted them; any thoughts/discussion about that?
"Meet the Jetsons said...
..........All the big players HATE American innovation, and that’s another reason why our country is toast......"
============================
Partly right! The "Big 3" players hate ALL innovation that they either didn't invent themselves (disc brakes, rack & pinion steering) and/or if somebody over here did invent it, its going to cost them money to re-tool the assembly lines (I remember the salesman pooh-poohing air bags when they first came out because his cars didn't have them!)
Humans are slow to change, especially when the "top of the pile" are going to be out some dough, even if temporarily. It used to be that when they started to consistently lose money to their competition that they started seriously playing catch up.
Now, they just demand THEIR bailout!
US Manufacturers cannot build small cars at a profit, everyone here should know that.
When healthcare costs and lawsuit costs tack $4k to the cost of US cars versus foriegn the smaller less profitable cars suffer.
The mid-size, large cars, SUVs and trucks that the US makers produce are top notch, no doubt. To bad America is full of so many "I'm only out for myself" types that we don't support our good jobs and manufacturing base.
How can anyone spurt broad range statements about how shitty Chysler is is? Have you not seen the new Chargers, the Crossfire and the coolest car to hit showrooms in decades....the new Challenger?
Lots of mindless, brainwashed American job haters around.
GT Charlie
"How can anyone spurt broad range statements about how shitty Chysler is is? Have you not seen the new Chargers, the Crossfire and the coolest car to hit showrooms in decades....the new Challenger?"
Easy.
Fuck Cool. Shitty unsellable cars wrong for the time built by a bankrupt and doomed company: CHRYSLER.
Actually, Very Easy.
DIE CHRYSLER. YOU'RE FUCKED. DIE.
F*ck the Union losers. They were happy Reagan-Democrats for years.
They can rot in hell, er Detroit.
Wake up fools, the UAW killed GM, not the cars directly.
GM knew 10+ years ago they needed to improve in econ, reliability and hybrid. But they had to feed the beast that is UAW and its pensions and benefits. 75% of GM's profit came from SUV's, most of it Tahoes and Suburbans. A Tahoe and Suburban is just a 1/2 ton pickup with a campershell. And they mark them up $10k or more over the truck. It's the only way they could even HOPE to keep thier head above water because of the UAW.
Now, if you want to say they should have given the union the bird years ago, then yes you have a point. But to sit here and say "die GM u pig" or "they build crappy cars therefore they failed" is ignorant. Had they "improved their business model", as you rocket scientists point out, years ago, they would have crumbled under the weight of the union contracts.
Now go ahead socialists and governement employees, defend your communism all you want. It will dig us even further in the hole and eventually bury us!
Automakers get pushed around while the banksters get away with murder.
The two main problems here, were, GM didn't save for a rainy day, and, no one is buying ANY new cars. So let's say this idea works. In a year, GM restructured in to a lean and mean green-car machine maker. Ok, then who will buy the cars? Well, Obama and Geithner will figure out how to get you the loan, or the cash, or the subsidy discount price. What's the end product of it all, factoring in the continuing bailout of financials etc., massive new social programs etc.? Anybody earning above the poverty line paying 70-90% taxes, cause guess what, there's NO OTHER WAY TO DO IT. No more middle class, or upper middle class, but a small group of oligarchs, and government officials on the take. And we know what that model looks like.
dont fool yourself, Keith. It's about the health-care , that got out of control. Gm and Chrysler made pretty competitive cars (from the price point of view).
p.s. i own a bmw and kia :)
Wagner will be fine (like the rest of these crooks), but there will be many, many more jobs lost now due to their poor and short-sighted management decisions.
A good percentage of the entire automotive supply-chain will now be headed towards the gutter.
Perhaps now, the media will start calling this economic crisis what it has already been for quite sometime ... a fullscale depression.
The Japanese make the best cars, nobody is even close.
That said, 20 years from now, the Chinese and Indians will be making 90% of all the cars.
It hath been foretold.
----------------------------
that is the truth. it wasn't that long ago that Japanese cars were shitty and anything else made in japan had the quality of today's goods out of china.
TWO WRONGS DO NOT MAKE A RIGHT
or
HOW THE US TAXPAYER CONTINUES TO GET FUCKED HARD AND LONG BY ANOTHER DEAD POS COMPANY - CHRYSLER
FIAT = Fix It Again Tony = SHIT
DIE CHRYSLER. DIE UAW. DIE
Chrysler has reached an agreement on a framework of a global alliance with Italian automaker Fiat that has the support of the US Treasury, Chrysler's CEO Bob Nardelli said on Monday.
"We appreciate the willingness of the (autos) Task Force, along with industry and financial experts, to consult closely with us in order to achieve this significant step," Nardelli said in a statement.
The boards of Chrysler and Fiat have given executives approval to complete an alliance that now hinges on the terms for additional aid for Chrysler, people with knowledge of the discussions have said.
Nardelli said that Chrysler has had a series constructive discussions, including weekly face-to-face meetings with the US auto task force.
"I want to personally assure all of our customers, dealers, suppliers and employees that Chrysler will operate 'business as usual' over the next 30 days," he said.
BUSINESS AS USUAL. MAKING SHIT NOBODY WANTS AT A LOSS IN QUANTITY.
Nardelli, go back to selling toilets and nails.
DIE CHRYSLER
We are from the Government and we are here to help you.
Tony said...
I have a serious problem with the Obamy administration dictating who should run a company, even though they are surviving on tax payers money..
get used to it
Tyrone said...
I've been driving a Chevy Equinox for 2 years. No problems, so far. I'm getting around 27 mpg on the highway--not too shabby.
March 30, 2009 12:56 AM
wait another year
This deal is straight out of the Mussolini and Hitler fascist playbook for economic "order". We must have order above all else. Now bow and submit, worthless American sheep!
March 30, 2009 3:27 AM
Liberal Fascism: The Secret History of the American Left, From Mussolini to the Politics of Change
In a genuine supply and demand society, companies COMPETE for customers by filling need or desire with quality and value. This company needs to die so their mafia subgroup can stop manipulating government and suppliers. In a non GM environment we are open to non subsidized startups that operate from a non politicized platform and won't cater to oil. You know, companies that start in American garages with great creative ideas.Companies that are based in true Freedom, American ideals, and raw human innovation. Yes, people that have pride in their work and make shit you would want.
Why the hell didn't the U.S. fire the heads of the auto unions and their inner circle of advisors??!!
It makes no sense to fire Wagoner and the board and let those rotten union stiffs who have driven this company into the ground to remain in place.
This country is fucked up. This Administration is totally fucked up.
BO has less than 90 days in office and he is shaping up to be one of the worst president of all time...perhaps the worst. It took Carter four years to achieve that goal and Bush eight. BO seems hell bent on taking the title in 90 days.
Where is the outrage that the union heads are still intact? Where is the media on this? Why aren't they writing about this today?
No wonder why that profession is going into obsolesence. They can't hide anymore. The blogosphere is and will destroy them.
Call the White House and Congress and tell these bastards to fire the union heads.
Anonymous said...
US Manufacturers cannot build small cars at a profit, everyone here should know that.
When healthcare costs and lawsuit costs tack $4k to the cost of US cars versus foriegn the smaller less profitable cars suffer.
The mid-size, large cars, SUVs and trucks that the US makers produce are top notch, no doubt. To bad America is full of so many "I'm only out for myself" types that we don't support our good jobs and manufacturing base.
How can anyone spurt broad range statements about how shitty Chysler is is? Have you not seen the new Chargers, the Crossfire and the coolest car to hit showrooms in decades....the new Challenger?
Lots of mindless, brainwashed American job haters around.
GT Charlie
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Uh...Mr. Charlie
The Crossfire hasn't been produced in a couple of years now because it was sh*t and didn't sell.
I am on my third VW - no problems ever.
Had a Honda CRX- the floorboards and rear quarter panels rusted out, needed new struts and driving rack after a few years.
Had 2 Nissan Sentras - the older one was better. The second one the door fell off and it had no power whatsoever (too heavy given engine size).
Have never owned an America car because I grew up in the late 70s/early 80s when they were simply hideous (think K car, Horizon, "new" Transams and Vettes, etc.)
Newer American cars are looking good and their quality is equivalent or exceeding that of the Japs - not my words, but scientifically tested fact my friends - it is really unfortunate that the banks are killing them off at this point because they were close to turning around - maybe that is why they did it, they do not want us to have good paying jobs or the ability to produce you stupid fucking retards.
When they say, we are the US will be the thinkers and the rest of the world will make the stuff, just remember the phrase "ideas and/or opinions are like assholes - everyone has one."
I have never been in a union, but union bashing for union bashing's sake is the mark of an utter and complete fucking retard. The U.S. did its best when there was high union membership. On that note, it is evidently not the unions you stupid fucking retards.
Name me one Japanese car that will be a classic (and no 280z's and the like do not count - they are pieces of shit.)
Finally, instead of parroting the talking heads, use your own fucking heads for a change.
GM Mgmt : The poster boys for American Mgmt; fat, dumb and lazy.
Paid to fail. Year after year, they gave themselves bonuses no matter how piss poor their performance was. And they rigged Boards of Directors to go along for the free ride as well.
Until, of course, they broke the companies soooo badly, there's no putting back these Humpty Dumpty's ever again.
America, is this a great country or what!!
[i]Name me one Japanese car that will be a classic (and no 280z's and the like do not count - they are pieces of shit.)[/i]
There aren't any. As for the late '70s and early '80s GM products, many of them are indeed becomming classics. A 1987 Buick Grand National is one example. In the days of my youth, many folks were driving Honda Accords and Civics. Most were scrapped long ago, and nobody cares. Certainly not me.
If GM goes, I'll wait until the Chinese start importing before I buy my next car. They all look the same anyway, and if they're not made here I'm going to want the cheapest I can get with a warranty. Sorry, Texans.
I own a mechanic shop and I posted here that the most reliable cars are Honda and Toyota. Toyota sent over a nice Asian chick to my apartment and Mr. Honda sent me a plaque.
I forgot to mention that somehow I manage to make a living repairing asian cars, even though they don't break.
I miss that cute little Asian chick, so Toyota if you are listening......
American car brands are not as good as Honda or Toyota. But American car manufacturers can learn a lot about quality control from Honda and Toyota.
Can I have another plaque too?
"BULLSHIT: the goal is to destroy a significant swath of highly-paid middle class."
That and destroy what is left of the collective bargaining power of the worker (unions) that good Americans died to build.
Oh no wait, I changed my mind. We Americans suck and we build shit. We do not deserve good wages or benefits or retirements. We should be so lucky to have Toyota and Honda sell us our cars forever and China sell us everything else we need. I am pissing on myself right now. Can I get on the bandwagon?
GT Charlie
"gutless and lazy said...
GM Mgmt : The poster boys for American Mgmt; fat, dumb and lazy.
America, is this a great country or what!!
March 30, 2009 10:23 PM"
Sarcasm aside, NO, AMERICA IS NOT GREAT at anything but cheating, stealing and lying and an occasional murder thrown in for Good Luck.
America IS a BANKRUPT TURD WORLD NATION OF CORRUPT NOBODIES AND NOTHING.
Fuck America. America IS DEAD.
Keith said:
"Anyone want to bet Wagoner and Mozilo are connected in some way?"
Interesting...
Our new kick-ass AG has his hands tied (or perhaps stuck up some orifice somewhere) as far as prosecuting obvious pieces-of-scum like, ummm... (gee, how to pick one?) Orange Man, for example...
because The Connections...
get really really complicated, really really fast.
Just a hunch.
Of all the cars I've had, and it's been a few, I've only needed an Auto Club card for the Ford, over and over. I recall it overheated the day I brought it home from the dealer, brand new. I gave it away, as in "take it."
So Bambi Obama fired the CEO of General Motors for incompetence. How ironic.
Have you seen the Simpsons episode where he designed a car? This is how pretty much all american cars look to me...like Homer says "it's funny because it's true".
Whenever I rent a car it's usually an American POS. Lots of rattles and vibrations and a noisy, course engine. Even the Chrysler 300M and a Cadillac are pieces of shit, with a sofa-like ride and disconnected steering so you have minimal tactile feedback on the road conditions. Most US cars aren't meant to be driven above 80 MPH- they can get there but they aren't so smooth at or above that speed.
Japanese cars are usually of higher quality. I have a 2008 Honda Accord 2.4 Navi, that is a pretty well designed car. Looks good, and can go up to about 115 MPH (180 kph) without much difficulty. I've only driven the car 25,000 km but have had no mechanical / maintenance issues besides oil changes.
I used to have a company provided BMW 525. It was pretty slow acceleration from standstill but once it got moving it was great. It would handle better at higher speeds. It could cruise at around 200 kph or 125 miles per hour and would feel quite solid & stable. Here in Thailand you can drive that fast but must be prepared to stop unexpectedly. And this is where the BMW really shines. I had to do a panic stop from 180 kph to zero and the BMW brakes, when mashed down, feels like the hand of God comes out of the sky and pulls that car backwards. Absolutely fantastic.
The downsides to the BMW was that it had many problems in the onboard computer / electrical system and needed to be serviced almost every month. Spare parts were crushingly expensive, for example a new set of headlights were $1000 USD (that is, here in Thailand where imported parts are taxed heavily). Honda's & Toyota's are much cheaper here, in terms of service.
When I was in the UK I rented a Ford Mondeo, which was a diesel and a 6 speed manual. It was surprisingly quick and fairly fun to drive. It was still a Ford and the handling wasn't perfect but it would cruise at up to 90 MPH without problems (I wouldn't go faster for fear of speed cameras) and I drove it from Stansted (London area) all the way up to Manchester and then up to Newcastle and back to Manchester. The amazing thing was that it was getting about 52+ MPG, and I filled it more than once and know my calculation was accurate. It was a heavy car, travelling fast and could still get more than 50 MPG? I didn't calculate Gallons as imperial gallons rather took the liter amount of diesel and divided it up by 3.78 to get to US gallons. It is such a crying shame that Ford car in the UK can achieve this type of MPG while US residents are so happy to get 27 MPG as the poster in this thread mentioned!
As for the claim in 2020 that 90% of the cars will be produced in China & India, I will dispute that claim for 2 reasons:
1. It's usually a good idea to source your production in the same area where your markets / sales are. Shipping costs for cars are pretty high. While India & China auto markets and production will undoubtedly grow exponentially, there will still be production in other countries to cover North America, South America and Europe. Africa may be served out of West India by sea freight into East Africa.
2. There's that pesky trade deficit issue. Given that cars are one of the biggest purchases families make after a house, it wouldn't make sense from a trade balance perspective to have 90% of the worlds production in China & India. Probably 40%-50% to match the population there but not 90%. That's just not going to happen.
-Mike
GM and Chrysler needs to declare bankruptcy. Wagoner should've gambled and declared bankruptcy than go to the govt for help. If anything, he should've declared bankruptcy and then get the auto bailout. The Dec 2007 auto bailout simply went straight to those union workers.
Is it true thaht Rick Wagoner received over 20 million for stepping down from GM?
The younger generattions are soooo screwed...
PJ
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