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And there is a large group that bash Tesla no matter what they do. They want them to fail so they can be proven correct. What a lousy attitude.
Well, you know, they don't make a truck that can haul a ton of gravel and a horse trailer 1,000 miles up the spine of the Rockies without a stop. So what good are they?
People who bash Tesla don't tend to invest in them. Moot point.
GM is in so much debit, that a billion is nothing in terms of their pension requirements. They are like a state government, they've got so much liabilities that when the recession hits they were the 1st to go belly up when income drops.
During the recession how come Toyota, Honda did not go belly up?
The problem with today's economy is that companies are too leveraged and way too much outstanding liabilities that were deferred. Any ripple in the economy will require a bailout just to pay their bills.
I don't disagree at all with the statement on the ridiculous rise in Corporate debt overall. It's truly the byproduct of debt being so cheap for so long and I do worry a bit about how long deleveraging will take. Still, realize auto will always be tied to debt. It's the most expensive and complex mass production assembly, supply chain and manufacturing process aside from perhaps airplanes, and certainly for mass consumption. It's also an expensive purchase for the buyer. No automotive company is ever free of the credit markets.
More to point, Toyota is a great manufacturer. Their kan ban system is one of the best in the world if not the best....but look at their financial statements. Had the credit markets dried up for TM as they did for F, GM and Chrysler, they wouldn't be able to turn their debt either. No automaker can, that's why it's such a cyclical industry. You need to retain enough cash in the good times knowing full well that you're going to bleed out like crazy during the bad times. Its cycle is longer than what it is in other industries. Yet the industry itself is a massive contributor to a nation.
Automotive cannot exist without established credit markets.
For Elon Musk to get as far as he has with TSLA is mind blowing....but when doubters come to the forefront and say....where's the money, they aren't necessarily hating. He's changing a significant paradigm that's been tried before and never successfully completed. He's burning cash in the waning good days....everyone that's lived through a full cycle is scratching their heads, at least a little, and wondering how in the hell is he going to make winter? I hope he makes it. I really do. He's inspiring, the product is awesome and I'd love to see more excitement in American made vehicles.
But, if Americans would buy F, GM or TSLA vehicles and limit their shopping list there, the economy would be amazing. Too many turn to ready cliches and fall into divisions of blue vs white collar, blue vs red state etc.
If we'd just support Americans, we could all benefit. And when everyone's doing ok, some of this us or them starts to seem a little silly.
No not everyone is booing them. If they invested their money they have as much right to prosper as anyone who invests their money. I may not care for their product offerings, but I have nothing against them making money. Hell I bought GM stock when they were n the dumpster and made money off their eventual prosperity.
I also don't understand the hostility for GM. We're certainly better off with them operating, and yet some seem to want them to go under.
But, if Americans would buy F, GM or TSLA vehicles and limit their shopping list there, the economy would be amazing. Too many turn to ready cliches and fall into divisions of blue vs white collar, blue vs red state etc.
If we'd just support Americans, we could all benefit. And when everyone's doing ok, some of this us or them starts to seem a little silly.
But if you look at this on a local level, companies like Hyundai, Mercedes, and Honda provide jobs for my state. I don’t believe GM or Ford have ever provided many jobs here. Sure, they provide jobs for folks in Michigan or Ohio, but what good does that do Alabama?
Are you an American that believes in supporting America? We've got more than just GM.
Assembling a bunch of Japanese/German parts in the US is hardly a replacement.
Sure. If the American product is better I’ll buy it. If it is not I won’t. It’s realy that simple. I mean do you expect me to spend my hard earned money on a product that isn’t as good simply because it was made here? How does that make any sense?
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Originally Posted by OutdoorLover
I also don't understand the hostility for GM. We're certainly better off with them operating, and yet some seem to want them to go under.
I bought their products before. Some good some bad. Overall I had better luck with imports than with domestics. GM may make the best vehicles on the planet. I personally don’t think they do. Is it my opinion yes along with a lot of car reviews. When they will and I feel like they do then I’ll revisit my policy. It’s really not just GM. There are simply other vehicles I rather own before most domestics. I don’t care what others buy
But if you look at this on a local level, companies like Hyundai, Mercedes, and Honda provide jobs for my state. I don’t believe GM or Ford have ever provided many jobs here. Sure, they provide jobs for folks in Michigan or Ohio, but what good does that do Alabama?
GM does do business in Alabama and really all over the country ever here of automotive suppliers this automotive supplier is in Auburn Alabama. You have no idea how big GM supplier network is. So yes GM is in the southern states as well as the rest of the country. And jobs are created by GM buying automotive parts from Alabama suppliers.
GM does do business in Alabama and really all over the country ever here of automotive suppliers this automotive supplier is in Auburn Alabama. You have no idea how big GM supplier network is. So yes GM is in the southern states as well as the rest of the country. And jobs are created by GM buying automotive parts from Alabama suppliers.
Many foreign car makers build here in the USofA. They provide much to the local economies where they build. Ask all the folks who work for Hyundai in West Point, Ga. Or BMW in upstate SC. In addition to those big factories, that hire Americans, you have to count all the suppliers that build close.
Saying we should buy US labeled cars, while those US corporations ship jobs overseas and south of the border, is just silly. Don't forget, car companies were big proponents of NAFTA.
Are you an American that believes in supporting America? We've got more than just GM.
Assembling a bunch of Japanese/German parts in the US is hardly a replacement.
I support myself and my family. If I could buy a US made vehicle that's as good as my Toyota 4Runner, I would consider it. However, there isn't a comparable vehicle available from a US manufacturer. Jeeps are not comparable, so don't go there.
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