How Ford and GM Turned a Corner

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Ford was dead if GM didn't get a bailout, that's why Mullaly went to Washington in support. Supply base would have gone under and Ford plants would have been idles until Ford ran out of money. So don't ever say Ford made it on their own, wouldn't of happened

Mike of MI 9:52PM August 13, 2010

The combination of elderly companies with early onset dementia; some management and stockholders waking up; the benefits of bankruptcy; the stupidity of competitors; and our special, enormous, rare, public gift to car companies and their workers - who took huge raises for management and boosted union benefits allowed failing companies to show a profit.

Next we are going to throw a $7,000+ subsidy at each buyer of a Ford Volt to promote green cars. These 4 seater cars are still going to be too expensive for most people and not family friendly. The result is every taxpayer contributing to wealthy people who will show off their "green" car, but for the most part they will still drive their Cadillac Escalade or BMW. So, once again the little guy is ignored by the Democrats and commanded to cough up more money for car company profits (good for campaign fundraising) and union members' constant raises (a large, dependable voting block). Meanwhile the small business owner gets no stimulus and cannot even get a loan from the banks and financial institutions we also through money at.

We subsidized gasohol and took decades to discover that the costs are still far more than regular fuel and food prices went up because of a shortage of grain - and agriculture profiteers still don't want to let go.

I don't know about you, but my checkbook cannot take more of the involuntary gift giving. The march we are all part of is taking more and more from people who are productive and passing it out to the groups chosen by elected officials who are insulated from real life. The vitality of the United States cannot survive if we keep electing people who manage us according the Animal Farm rules.

Robert Tingler of IL 12:35PM August 02, 2010

....ahem, Mr. Earnhardt, are we to conclude from your comments that you were unaware that Ford is in hock up to its blue oval? It did not "chug along" on its own merits, but rather found itself near bankruptcy several years ago....when private funding was still available. That option was not open to GM & Chrysler when they finally ran aground.

Ironies of ironies, Ford's crappy(relative to its crosstown rivals)products allowed it go into near default at an earlier and more fortuitous time, and avoid the crunch that would hit it's domestic colleagues.

BTW...you do know what brand of vehicle your namesake and his namesake son drove/drive, do you not? Hint: it ain't no Ford product.

Ventrue of OH 12:27PM July 31, 2010

Ford, in case you didn't recall, did not get a multi-gazillion dollar buyout of their pension liabilities as did GM and Chrysler. They chugged on on their own merits, why would you even include the two marques together in the same story? Sympathizer pseudo-journalists. In bed with the regime, tisk, tisk, no shame.

Dale Earnhardt of NC 2:13AM July 31, 2010

It is no surprise that the domestic car companies " turned the corner". The numerous recalls of thousands of cars by Toyota and their refusal to deal withe the recalls that went back a decade tarnished their image as the most quality cars in the market place! The inability of Toyota to repair the safety problems quickly and affectively also put them at odds with our government other governments where their cars are sold.

Lee Hansen of MI 3:40PM July 30, 2010

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Rick Newman

Rick Newman

The global economy is mysterious, even scary. Chief Business Correspondent Rick Newman connects the dots. In addition to his writing for U.S. News, Rick is the co-author of two books: Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon on 9/11, and Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.


Read Rick's latest blog entries here.

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