Censport
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jul 23, 2008
- Messages
- 595
- Location
- Nashville TN, USA
- Car(s)
- Xterra, '63 Corvair, '06 Yamaha FZ6
In Europe there is a credit crunch, where people cannot get loans for new cars. The U.S. has the same problem, but some folks in the industry say there's nothing wrong, that loans are still available. Still, the U.S. is in a recession and everybody stops spending when they hear that, whether they are affected or not. So people aren't buying cars, and the domestic automakers are hitting congress up for massive loans. As things stand now, it doesn't look like they'll get them.
So what should automakers do? In the U.S., we have just about every manufacturer in the world building cars here, so it's not just a GM-Ford-Chrysler issue.
First, I think the labor unions should be scrapped. Yes, I know that will inspire people to call me an extremist, but several manufacturers in the U.S. have no problem building cars without unionized labor, and their employees are hardly slaves. Could such a thing happen? No. Especially not with the incoming administration.
Second, new priorities.For example, Mercedes-Benz should change from making M-series SUVs at their Vance, Alabama plant and switch to making the smart fortwo there. Why? Well, besides the wild fluctuations in fuel prices in the U.S. (Which will likely increase again with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama calling the shots, as none of them are for increasing domestic supplies.), importing smart cars from Europe adds too much to their MSRP. If the prices for smart cars could be reduced to the $8,000-$10,000 range by building them in the U.S., sales would increase dramatically. Having more dealers would help too, so maybe M-B should get over itself and start selling smarts at their regular dealerships. Could such a thing happen? Yeah, actually.
Third, lower the tax on diesel fuel and encourage the import and manufacture of more diesel cars (Yes, California, I'm looking at you.). Jaguar makes a very good diesel, and the new London Taxis would be a great replacement for the dirty, ratty American taxis made from full-size sedans and minivans (people carriers). Could such a thing happen? I dunno, California legislators aren't as open-minded as they claim.
The future of taxis in America?
Those are just three ideas to get the discussion rolling. Anyone have ideas for England/Europe as well?
So what should automakers do? In the U.S., we have just about every manufacturer in the world building cars here, so it's not just a GM-Ford-Chrysler issue.
First, I think the labor unions should be scrapped. Yes, I know that will inspire people to call me an extremist, but several manufacturers in the U.S. have no problem building cars without unionized labor, and their employees are hardly slaves. Could such a thing happen? No. Especially not with the incoming administration.
Second, new priorities.For example, Mercedes-Benz should change from making M-series SUVs at their Vance, Alabama plant and switch to making the smart fortwo there. Why? Well, besides the wild fluctuations in fuel prices in the U.S. (Which will likely increase again with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama calling the shots, as none of them are for increasing domestic supplies.), importing smart cars from Europe adds too much to their MSRP. If the prices for smart cars could be reduced to the $8,000-$10,000 range by building them in the U.S., sales would increase dramatically. Having more dealers would help too, so maybe M-B should get over itself and start selling smarts at their regular dealerships. Could such a thing happen? Yeah, actually.
Third, lower the tax on diesel fuel and encourage the import and manufacture of more diesel cars (Yes, California, I'm looking at you.). Jaguar makes a very good diesel, and the new London Taxis would be a great replacement for the dirty, ratty American taxis made from full-size sedans and minivans (people carriers). Could such a thing happen? I dunno, California legislators aren't as open-minded as they claim.
The future of taxis in America?
Those are just three ideas to get the discussion rolling. Anyone have ideas for England/Europe as well?