Cars That will Go Away

STL Mark

STL Mark

Member #001
Honorary Member
Location (City)
Pacific, MO
First Name
Mark
Last Name
Earls
THIS JUST IN -

The auto bailout and rescue will likely end the following brands and cars:

Saturn,
Hummer,
Pontiac,
Cadillac CTSV,
Chevy HHR,
Chevy SS Cobalt,
Chevy Trailblazer
Dodge Aspen,
Dodge Durango,
Chrysler PT Cruiser

Notice Anything ??
 
The majority of these are gas guzzlers. I'm surprised by the PT Cruiser and the whole Saturn line. If GM had a bright spot, it was Saturn. Their whole lineup was closer to European standards than many other "American" auto makers, their products recently were fresh and interesting, and they got good MPG, and their plant was non-union. The last one was probably the nail in the coffin,

I also read that Saab is going to be sold or allowed to fold.

They should really pull in their (GM) forces and regroup under one badge. Similar to Toyota:

Entry/Hip model group (i.e. Scion)
Main Stream Models (i.e. Toyota)
Upscale Brand (i.e. Lexus)

You could throw the lower end Chevy models into the first group:

Saturn/Chevy's line-up (including Buick) into the main group:

And toss the high-end gas guzzling SUV's and Cadillac into the upscale group.

But nobody from the General is asking our opinion, just for the handout from Uncle Sam to stay afloat...

Chrylser is also revamping much of it's line, a new 300, Charger, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

You can read more here:

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2009/autos/0902/gallery.chrysler_changes/index.html
 
Not the Caddy CTS-V :mad:
I took one for a short drive a few days ago and I have not been able to stop smiling.
The wife said I could have that or a girlfriend, but not both. :)
Orlando
 
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Notice anything - NO FORDS.
They didn't take any bailout - they're holding the line.

GM closing at least 5 plants, Chrysler cutting 1000's of jobs - Thanks Bailout!
 
Yeah, seems to me that they ought to wait until they get done dropping these lines before dropping additional jobs, unless the jobs they speak of are because of this. Trailblazer - don't let them fool you, this was the last year for that vehicle regardless of the economy. Our company buys Trailblazers, pickups and some Malibu's. We were already told, last year, that we would need to pick a different vehicle other than Trailblazer. I just wonder how much of this bailout money will be used to really save the company and how much will be used to pay their executives?
 
I really think the bailout money is like working capital for GM & Chrysler. They are burning through money so fast at their current levels of expenditure, and with plummeting sales...well, you get the picture. You can't keep repeating what you have been doing that isn't working and expect different results.

All of this talk had me thinking about some of the other car manufacturers, so today I looked up last years sales figures for Honda. They had a slight decline for the year in North America (nothing like the two above), but globablly they still have a positive year. Their small cars still set sales records (Civic and Fit). Their VP for N.A. said the company is in great standing for when the economy stablizes.
 
when it gets down to it everyone BUY AMERICAN and protect our countries interest
the old saying "united we stand divided we fall" i do my best to look at the label when i buy
and i am a proud Ford and i am glad to see an Icon of american history survive and hate to see everyone else suffer:o
 
I would keep an eye on Ford for the next few years. I really think they will be the winner in the end by not taking the bailout. GM and Chrysler will be regulated (read forced) into building small hybrid type vehicals that no one wants because they won't be able to say no to the Gov.

I read an article yesterday, I wish I could find it. Ford is dusting off old crossfire injected technology from the 70's. It is more expensive to produce, but they think they can get a everday 30 MPH Explorer (2wd).

Innovation comes out of necessity, not holding out your hand!!! (But don't look in my garage, there are only (4) fords there!!!! Funny thing is, my entire family except me is a GM family!!!!
 
News this morning said that Hummer will remain, but is for sale.
 
What bothers me is that no one is looking at the up front "bailout" we have given to all the foriegn carmakers in the USA.
Local/county/state entities were all veying(sp) for these new plants that , yes, create jobs in usually depressed areas, were giving away the farm.
Examples:
....building utility infastructure to support new very large complexes
....major road projects needed for workers and shipments
....in some cases, buying the 1,000's acres needed
....enterprise zones that abate all, read again, all taxes for up to 10 years
....TIF's to help finance the projects(bonds normally guaranteed by the govermental entity)
....training for new employees at tax payors expense

I may be mistaken but when any of the big 3 expanded they were not elgible for most of these entitlements, and over the years they have actually been upgrading most of thier plants. GO FORD...could not resist a plug for the BLUE OVAL
mike
 
Yes...but ASnake (Mike) every major development that I have ever worked on does the same tactic. It's development 101. I am going to bring jobs to your area, and increase your sales and tax base, etc. etc. If we don't get this TIF (Tax Increment Financing) passed we can't afford to do this project. Oh, you want the roads fixed, then we need to create a Bond District and include everyone else who will benefit and everyone needs to pay their pro-rata share.

Please don't get me started. Government and Private Industry are tied at the hip. They each need the other to survive anymore these days. You may say B.S., but many areas have so regulated the process of new development, you have to do the above or a project is not economicaly feasible. If goverment goes away, then big business is left to regulate itself when it comes to land coverage, diversification of use, zoning, and especially environmental controls and regulations.

I worked on a project a few years ago with a firm that redeveloped 100's of acres of an old Ford Mo Co land fill outside of Detroit. Ford would not sell the developer the ground because of al the unkown potential contaminents that were in there. The project worked closely with an environmental engineer to come up with a solution. They leveled the ground, and placed geofoam over the fill to create a "lid, with vents carried through the parking lot field. This was certified as a LEED Gold new construction. Name is Fairlane Green. Look it up if you are interested.

A project of this magnitude would not be possible without some incentive tax financing.

Like I said, don't get me started.

P.s. My other hot button is emminent domain...;)
 
I understand your frustration and how these things work..I am on our EDC board.
My point was why shouldn't we help the US auto makers as we have done for start up car mfgs; Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi,BMW etc.
Back in the late '70s Mitsubishi partnered with Chrysler(they later split from the venture) to built a plant in Bloomington. When thier tax abatement expired and the assessor put a value on and sent them a tax bill. They disagreed with the assessement and said the plant was worth "0" and they could walk away because it was paid for. I believe the govt gave them an extension.
 
Scott
As far as emminent domain...do you remeber when Gateway Raceway Park was being built? They took farm ground from owners who didn't want to sell for parking lots.
 
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