Blue Oval Guide Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Ha! Would You Buy A Car Designed By OUR Government? Of course you wouldn't. You're not an idiot. But it appears the U.S. Congress is even dumber than I thought -- although you wouldn't think it possible, considering the bar is already down around my ankles. As part of a restructuring plan tied to billions of dollars in low-interest federal loans, Democrats in Congress may ask General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford Motor Co. to kick their CEOs to the curb. I wonder who they plan to replace the CEOs with -- Dennis Kucinich? I don't have a strong opinion about Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli or GM CEO Rick Wagoner. (If you do, let me know what you think in the Comments thread.) But I'm certain of this: Ford CEO Alan Mulally fits the profile of the kind of leader the car companies desperately need: he's not a lifelong car guy, he's untainted by old-school Big 3 politics, and he has been successful in another manufacturing industry. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lfeg Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 What would such a car be? One thing is for sure, no member of congress would ever be seen being driven in one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSFan00 Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 Know what he did to cut costs at Boeing and keep the edge vs. Airbus? This: Boeing Chief Executive and Chairman Jim McNerney told employees Monday that the innovative manufacturing model for the globally built 787 Dreamliner crossed the line from leading-edge into "bleeding-edge." 70% of the 787 production is outsourced, vs. what used to be less than 45% on programs like the 747, 737 etc. Boeing could simply not be competitive if it relied on traditional labor contract negotiations producing it's next generation of products locally. AM is the one who both recognized this and developed the plan which they implemented (problems obviously since his departure). Ford global cars, once his vision is adopted, will resemble this standardized, outsourced product; Ford will become essentially a design and services company working with it's suppliers and dealers globally. GM/Chrysler are MUCH further behind, or not on board at all. You don't compete with China/Japan/India etc. with a 10-200% disadvantage; you develop an advantage yourself. Ford is moving that way, if the bailout doesn't kill all of the momentum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
156n3rd Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 This has been going on for years! the Feds already dictate: crash bumpers, side impact requirements, emission levels, fuel economy and on and on. Here is an example I really love. The catalytic Converter. I live in Pa. where we have to pay extra for emission testing each year, even though the Feds mandate it from design incept to production! We are paying twice for emission control and results which are determined by the Gov't.. Hogwash! Baloney! Poop! This is not a new concept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 (edited) This has been going on for years! the Feds already dictate: crash bumpers, side impact requirements, emission levels, fuel economy and on and on. Here is an example I really love. The catalytic Converter. I live in Pa. where we have to pay extra for emission testing each year, even though the Feds mandate it from design incept to production! We are paying twice for emission control and results which are determined by the Gov't.. Hogwash! Baloney! Poop! This is not a new concept. + ONE BILLION=thankyou...and when one factors in the costs of having to constantly appese their demands and shoot at a forever moving target, I want to know why Congress and their croonies don't burden some of the blame for the current status of the big three. "Well how come japan etc don't have the same problems????"....how many countries that are welcomed open arms here return the favor????.....is it just me or am i wondering why Toyota / Honda etc have been very Mum about the bailout.....crossing their fingers? Edited December 11, 2008 by Deanh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versa-Tech Posted December 11, 2008 Share Posted December 11, 2008 + ONE BILLION=thankyou...and when one factors in the costs of having to constantly appese their demands and shoot at a forever moving target, I want to know why Congress and their croonies don't burden some of the blame for the current status of the big three. "Well how come japan etc don't have the same problems????"....how many countries that are welcomed open arms here return the favor????.....is it just me or am i wondering why Toyota / Honda etc have been very Mum about the bailout.....crossing their fingers? The problem lies in the fact that we want to be a capitalist country in a world economy of socialists. Absolute capitalism only works when everyone has to play be the same rules... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 The car our government would design: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versa-Tech Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 The car our government would design: The grill looks like the temple of Zeus... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
V8 Ford Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 The Homer, equipped with rack and peanut steering. Its been a long time since I saw that one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 The car our government would design: Pope-mobile Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versa-Tech Posted December 12, 2008 Share Posted December 12, 2008 Pope-mobile Ha! Even the Homer isn't that ugly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ford Jellymoulds Posted December 13, 2008 Share Posted December 13, 2008 (edited) If Gordon Brown had his way we would all ride in a state owned controlled any colour as long as its a red bus or a nice jello electric sport G-Wiz GT or use the British yellow school bus walk to school or cycle to work. You have a choice in the UK you can catch the tube train on Londons Underground and risk getting mugged, but if you own a car these days you get mugged big time, billions of £££ are stolen in taxes imposed on the poor ole British motorist by the British Government they are the biggest legalised muggers on the planet. Edited December 13, 2008 by Ford Jellymoulds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
armadamaster Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 And here I thought the bulk of us already were driving cars designed by our gubment. :reading: C-A-F-E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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