Thread: US Automakers Your opinion: Bailout or Bankruptcy?

Originally Posted by mellow

I think the US needs to up the import tax to match countries they do business

here here! I also think that the US should mirror the immigration policies of other countries as well.

If a country (thinking of Thailand of course) won't let a guy own land if he marries a national then the US should also impose that. Have to get a non immigrant VISA in a country?

The US should do the same. I would love to see Thais doing the 90 day VISA reports, 30 day border runs and providing income reports to stay in the US. Never give citizenship, just force them to lick butt to get permanent residence status!

Of course I would want them to be lenient to Mrs. Chi and other TD member's wives!

^ But that would drag a normal country down to the level of a corrupt, inefficient, sleazy . . .you get my drift


(Huge opening for 'witty' comments)

Why would tightening immigrant requirements drag a country down?
Especially when there's a huge illegal problem already?
I agree with chitown on that point, but building and selling selling cars is a business. They should live or die by their merit.

Funny, I believe Thais view foreigners within their borders as a business.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Germany, France and Japan have unionised workforces, their wages are high, the social contributions are high etc . . .

These country's auto-makers have diversified, started up plants in consumer's countries, made quality their modus operandi, went with or started the trend for fuel efficiency, looked at consumer needs and wants . . .

French car makers and quality, you are joking there, right?

Originally Posted by Fabian

French car makers and quality, you are joking there, right?

The old jokes are . . . old.


As for Italian cars . . . well, there you would have a point

Originally Posted by chitown

I certainly felt safer and enjoyed driving my Lincoln Navigator more than I do the vehicle I now have in Thailand.

Fok me Chi, what did you have in the US, a stretch Hummer? When you gave us all a ride back from Timba's we must have fit 10 people in with most of us stretching out legs!!??

Thanks for the lift anyway.

Well, I think Scampy wasn't riding so save.

Originally Posted by bkkandrew

Fok me Chi, what did you have in the US

The last couple I had were some real Arab pleasers!!!

Originally Posted by mellow

They should bail them out. US cars, are very good quality automobiles, I don't know what people are talking about, when saying their not. What does Thailand or Japan charge for import tax on a US vehicle? I think the US needs to up the import tax to match countries they do business with, and eliminate unfair competition. Furthermore the US should put a hefty import tax on all imported goods just like Thailand does. How can the US compete with workers that are paid 200 or maybe 300Baht a day, which is probably what Toyota pays it's workers, not even mentioning medical insurance for US workers. Toyota probably doesn't even pay import tax in the US, on the vehicles that are made in Thailand. The US government should pull it's head out of its ass, and look to taking care of it's own people. Stop unfair trade practices which costs the US jobs. Who cares that their a developing economy, or third world country, let them take care of themselves. Lets concentrate on our own.

How many American cars will you find around the world? Nil.....{and please don't include Aussie or Irish Fords - they're not American - only in name}.

Going back to the OP, I have posted an article on my main thread which explains the perverse effect of bailouts. The one posted deals with the absurd Fannie/Freddie bailout and has hair-raising consequences...

https://teakdoor.com/us-domestic-issu...tml#post836475

Pointless protectionism proposed promotes pityful pay.

Originally Posted by mad_dog

Pointless protectionism proposed promotes pityful pay.

Spot on Dog, industries as the auto makers will always know that they can run to Uncle Sugar yet continue to practice as they will.

Originally Posted by Texpat

Why would tightening immigrant requirements drag a country down?
Especially when there's a huge illegal problem already?
I agree with chitown on that point, but building and selling selling cars is a business. They should live or die by their merit.

Funny, I believe Thais view foreigners within their borders as a business.

Not at all what I meant, I didn't state it clearly . . . trying to be witty = failed.

What I meant was that a tit-for-tat in this case wouldn't solve anything. I am in favour of tighter immigration requirements for any country.

bail out only with huge cuts in union freebies and change all top management

minimum wage for all until profitable

Minimum wage? Surely you jest.
They wouldn't get out of bed for anything less than $50/hour. Got that boat/house/vacation to pay for.

Walkout straps the company.

Originally Posted by Texpat

They wouldn't get out of bed for anything less than $50/hour. Got that boat/house/vacation to pay for.

Let them stay in bed then .. if company cannot make money no reason for workers to make money

I agree with your underlying premise, but your means toward achieving it are too simplistic. The company also must do its best to maintain its legacy costs or it loses credibility as a fair employer.

Originally Posted by chitown

Originally Posted by mellow

I think the US needs to up the import tax to match countries they do business

here here! I also think that the US should mirror the immigration policies of other countries as well.

If a country (thinking of Thailand of course) won't let a guy own land if he marries a national then the US should also impose that. Have to get a non immigrant VISA in a country?

The US should do the same. I would love to see Thais doing the 90 day VISA reports, 30 day border runs and providing income reports to stay in the US. Never give citizenship, just force them to lick butt to get permanent residence status!

Of course I would want them to be lenient to Mrs. Chi and other TD member's wives!

Your theory has holes though, Thais are well known as the least of Asians to emigrate. As comparative Asian immigration to the West....try the Chinese, Filipinos, and Koreans {especially to the US}.

Originally Posted by panama hat

Originally Posted by Fabian

French car makers and quality, you are joking there, right?

The old jokes are . . . old.


As for Italian cars . . . well, there you would have a point

Probably the only reason Italy remains a G-7 {G-8?} member, their long history of auto influence on the world. Their everyday common quality - I couldn't speak of. Perhaps. Perhaps not. I do know, historically, in the 50's/60's/70's one could find a wealth of Italian vehicles throughout Europe,Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America like no other national manufacturer. This is no longer the case anymore, for the Italian automobile fortunes have ebbed considerably. They still have {if not image} the reputation for the "speciality" sport-types made to order. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati. Remembering that old mechanics humour - {F}ix {I}t {A}gain {T}ony......55555

Originally Posted by Texpat

I agree with your underlying premise, but your means toward achieving it are too simplistic. The company also must do its best to maintain its legacy costs or it loses credibility as a fair employer.

So you want your tax dollars to pay for people to be overpaid, producing products that people don't want at prices no-one can afford?

No, I don't. I'm not in favor of a bailout -- but if it's inevitable -- nobody will build cars for minimum wage. If it's inevitable, if the government is to become a major stakeholder, it needs to redefine strategy and pare down operating costs.

The whole idea stinks to me. Let 'em sink or swim on their own merit.

^Perhaps if they did pay minimum wage with the prospect of better when things pick up, the resultant downsizing would benefit all and you would be left with a lean company with motivated workers?