Black October over - Next for the Big 3?
October was scary, but is the worst over?So, October was a pretty scary month for US automakers, and it now appears inevitable that the Big 3 will become the Big 2. But, is that is bad as it gets? Is the worst over?
Before addressing the dark side, there were a few a bright spots in October. GM, for instance, stated that despite massive financial concerns, the development of the Chevy Volt will continue as planned. And Ford, according to Consumer Reports, has basically caught up to the best automakers in quality. Moreover, the Ford Fusion hybrid might be a more solid hybrid than the Toyota Camry hybrid.
Still, with the economy possibly crashing into a recession, financial issues could become much worse for automakers, especially US automakers whom have been hit particularly hard by the dramatic decline in gas-guzzler sales. So, even if these automakers avoid bankruptcy, will they really be able to afford producing significant numbers of new, fuel efficient vehicles? When will a US automaker produce 100,000 hybrid cars per year (including the Volt)?
Labels: Big 3, Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, Ford, Ford fusion hybrid, GM, Hybrid Vehicles, toyota camry hybrid
posted by Dahcredyns at
9:01 AM
3 Comments:
yes, with this global economic recession a new segment in the market for fuel efficient hybrid cars has emerged.
Financial terrorism is at work?
Conspiracy theory as follows -
Middle East/OPEC crushing the credit markets and US manufacturers now that we're on to making alternative vehicles? Shorting their stocks into oblivion? Putting the US Treasury into more debt?
Rope-a-doping the public to think that gas is plentiful and cheap again (as of 11/15/08 the speculative oil bubble popped)? So that we go back to SUV's and take away the R&D needed for the electric/hybrids?
HOW HARD IS THIS TO FATHOM? Mighty convenient that shortly after the public release of the Volt project we get hammered by our ability to purchase such a vehicle and to finance production of it.
Combine all these things and as it stands we won't be able to afford a new domestic hybrid/electric and be forced to continue with consumption of oil. Wouldn't be surprised if China is behind this in some way to slowly squeeze the US into financial abyss.
well, the Volt project was released to the public almost two years ago, and yet the volt is still two years from public sale, so i don't really see any connection there.
there is definitely some evidence to suggest a conspiracy, but, still, we put ourselves in this predicament with decades of bad decision making by the government and most major US corporations.
ultimately, i'd say decades of cheap gas has retarded the US auto industry and the US auto consumer and we're now paying the price.
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