I`m probly wrong

[kimba1]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2008/12/12/auto-workers-union-lashes-gop-senators-bailout-collapse/

the article mention the auto industry worldwide is in trouble.
I just can`t feel sorry for a company that`s selling something that everybody already has or get cheaper used and is  designed to be a sizable non-deductable personal expense .(gas & insurance)
i think the term bloated market applies

[Lanya]

In my area there were several factories that closed down and moved offshore, and that has made a big impact on us here. One factory laid off many hundreds, over a thousand I think, and stores started closing.  One was a  former furniture showroom used by the GOP as their headquarters here.

Then pizza places started closing, etc.  It snowballs. 
We don't all live in cities with buses and subways and trollies.  It would be great if we had more public transport, but we don't. 

[kimba1]

is outsourcing good for the economy nowadays?
or is job layoff still considered a not a hardship to the economy?

[Xavier_Onassis]

The average car in the US lasts for eight years or so. If you maintain any car well, it will last far longer. The high sales numbers for cars is explained by the fact that people are not buying cars for their utility, as they buy a washer or a dryer: they are buying cars based on fads, as though they were clothes, that go in and out of style. This is how they advertise them, and this is why people buy them.

The result is that when the economy goes down, people just stop buying cars, as they stop buying clothes.
I was at a mall on Friday afternoon nd the place was nearly deserted: no more than two customers in any of the clothing stores, and some had none.

The South Florida Auto Show had maybe a third as many people as usual this year.

[kimba1]

so the auto bail out is to help a business that`s dependent on people to buy cars they really don`t need and is willing to be in debt for.

and don`t forget if they tank it`s not like we`ll be out of cars and it`s not like all those factories will be empty also.
the rivals will takeover some of them to produce thier cars so job loss maybe less than predicted.

just they can kiss those job banks good bye
damn if that`s not the craziest thing I heard(laid off but still be on payroll )
and the union still don`t see how the company is tanking.
and I`m a diehard unionman and I think that`s crazy

[Xavier_Onassis]

My point was that when you sell a car the way you sell a washing machine, there will be a rather steady market.
When you market it as a fashion accessory to people who you know can't afford it, then you can expect dips in the market like those we are having now.

People aren't buying Hondas, Toyotas or Nissans much, either. People think they are buying a better produt when they buy foreign models, but somehow people also buy cars that have horrible frequency of repair records, like Land Rovers, simply because they are marketed as status symbols.

[kimba1]

but somehow people also buy cars that have horrible frequency of repair records


FORD
Fix Or Repair Daily
Found On Road Dead

[Xavier_Onassis]

Some Fords are pretty reliable. My sister has a 1995 Taurus, and she has only had to repair the transmission once.

[Henny]

Some Fords are pretty reliable. My sister has a 1995 Taurus, and she has only had to repair the transmission once.

The Taurus is my favorite American car. Very reliable, excellent ride.

[kimba1]

Hey
I like the ford fiesta
that thing won`t konk out til get to your garage.

[Amianthus]

I've owned nothing but Ford for a number of years now. They are so reliable nowadays that when my Five Hundred had ONE thing that needed a repair (and was repaired under warranty), my wife claims it's a lemon and we should get rid of it...

I have 78,000 miles on my Five Hundred. My F150 had around 100,000 and my Escort has over 200,000. Nothing other than one computer replacement on the Five Hundred, except for the normal maintenance.

Note: The dealer that repaired the computer claimed that it died because the alarm system was installed incorrectly, however the installation was done by another Ford dealer, so they still repaired under warranty.

[Xavier_Onassis]

I have noticed that when the American car companies advertise that they are as reliable as Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, Nissans and Hyundais, they invariably quote J.D. Powers. However, when you look at Consumers Reports annual surveys, the
 Japanese cars are nearly ALWAYS more reliable.

CU rates the '05 Ford 500 AWD as average (bad notes on the audio system) and th '06 as somewhat better than average.
The Camry ranks much better than average and somewhat better respectively, so the 500 and the Camry are tied for 2006. Since the Ford was probably cheaper than the Camry and has 4WD, it was probably a better value.

I can't see calling a car a "lemon" because of one repair, especially if it cost nothing to repair. Apparently, many Land Rovers are lemons. A mechanic friend says they have six in his shop, awaiting new engines. There is a problem with the cylinder sleeves, and parts are slow in arriving. THAT's a lemon.
 
J.D. Powers rates consumer satisfaction during the first year of ownership , while CU takes a longer look, up to 7 years.

All cars, Fords included, are much more reliable than they used to be. Fords used to be famous for combining with the atmosphere at a most alarming rate. Mavericks and Gran Torinos were especially faulty. The newer cars are designed by computers, and they seem to have designed out those pockets (trunk lips, rocker panels, bottoms of doors, etc. where dirt and damp accuulate and cause rust. I think they use better rust treatment as well. y 1977 Celica was running great after 14 years and 190K, but it rusted out above the accelerator pedal: whenever it rained, water gushed down on my feet.

[Amianthus]

Japanese cars are nearly ALWAYS more reliable.

I would also have said this years ago (I owned nothing but Toyota for a large number of years), but my experiences with my last Toyota changed my mind. My father was displeased with his last Honda and his last Audi as well, though he likes his current Camry.