Where does the auto industry go from here?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The auto industry is healthy, making billions of dollars in profit around the globe. But it also faces greater risks than it did even a decade ago when sales plunged, forcing bankruptcies and bailouts.

That's because the way people get from Point A to Point B is about to undergo the most radical change since the early automobiles replaced horses. Autonomous driving vehicles are about to change how cars are driven, powered and used. In the future, far more people will probably buy rides, rather than cars.

For General Motors and the rest of the auto industry, that looming change poses an existential threat.

That's why GM announced plans to close five North American plants and cut about 14,000 jobs by the end of next year: Not because GM is in trouble today, but because it will soon be in trouble if it doesn't free up the cash it needs to radically change its business.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/where-does-the-auto-industry-go-from-here/ar-BBQat42?li=BBnbfcN

So GM whether you like it or not is trying to anticipate the future. Something Trump doesn't have a clue about.

[beachbum bob]

1. Basic premise, they are concentrating on the most profit vehicles like

Trucks and SUVs...no big surprise here

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Not entirely so

They're also planning R & D on autonomous self driving vehicles.

[Historic NY]

2. You have to sell what people want....

for GM to scrap the Cadillac C-T-6 series the flagship of technological development on autonomous driving is serious.
They cost too much and we meant to compete with the big Mercedes and BMW.

Cheaper gas makes people want to have those big SUV and Trucks. So the fuel economy canard isn't there.

The ones they pulled will probably have a few more joining the list. They can go to bare bones and keep the big profits from the SUV and Trucks. The youth of today aren't buying cars, they will buy a 1000 phone, so automakers aren't reaching them much. Perhaps were reaching a glut worldwide.

[McCamy Taylor]

4. To Congress with hands out stretched asking for another bailout.

And thanks to Citizens United any bailout can be used to "tithe" a PAC, meaning that we will see even more bailouts in years to come.

[workinclasszero]

5. I think lots of people will give up personal transportation

soon.

You could have a subscription service in urban areas with self driving vehicles.

When you need to go somewhere an app on your phone would send one to you.

No more 500 dollar or more car payments. No more car insurance costs at all.

No oil changes or maintenance costs at all.

I bet it’s coming soon.