Here is all the indictment the asshole criminals leading the car companies need:

[Rabrrrrrr]

From the Secretary of Transportation's report to congress:

"Over the past year, the domestic auto industry has experienced sharply reduced sales and profitability, large indefinite layoffs, and increased market penetration by imports. The shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, more fuel-efficient passenger cars and light trucks... appears to be permanent, and the industry will spend massive amounts of money to retool to produce the motor vehicles that the public now wants."





That's the Secretary of Transportation's report from .... 1980.


It goes on:

"To improve the overall future prospects for the domestic motor vehicle manufacturers, a quality and price competitive motor vehicle must be produced. If this is not accomplished, the long term outlook for the industry is bleak."

[kwassa]

1. The problem is that consumer preferences shifted back to big vehicles

as soon as the first gas shortage was over in the 1970s, and there was plentiful cheap gas again.

Consumers buy what they want to buy. The SUV craze was inexplicable, but the consumer demand was real. Ford was making a $15,000 markup on Expeditions, the demand was that great, just a few years ago.

I think Detroit was stupid not to jump into hybrids early, but all automakers try to cover a complete range of driving desires and needs in order to have products to sell.

The Japanese and Europeans had much more experience with small cars because of much higher fuel costs in those countries. The US auto industry also has huge legacy costs the foreign companies don't.

[siligut]

2. Think about what American automakers have focused on since the auto was created.

Faster, vehicles with more handling. My 4-door sedan’s speedometer goes up to 140. They just lost track of goals. Also, big oil DID play a role in automaker decisions.

A book that is out if interested. http://www.amazon.com/Making-Selling-Cars-Innovation-Automotive/dp/0801867142/ref=si3_rdr_bb_product

I agree, the automakers are guilty. However, so is Bernie Madoff, and look at how he is being handled. The wealthy look after their own, as someday they want the same consideration. I also understand about retooling them now, setting them straight to maintain jobs.