The drop in stock market, which reduces the to value of any corp, is much more severe (as a percentage) in the financial markets than the automakers. Again if the banks and fininancial institution were simply plying their trade, making loans, then most of the big companies could at least hold on while they retool.

Here’s a fact no one will like: Toyota’s one ton truck gets no better mileage than a simplier powered American one ton or 3/4 ton truck. Other than GM, and I continue to say I know nothing about them, both other companies are making huge strides in creating more gas efficient cars and trucks.

And as to the SUV and Larger Trucks that really don’t get very good mileage, they were the most popular part of the Ford line, except for the old Taurus and current Focus, than any other part.

Here’s the hard part to accept: Americans wanted the cars/trucks/suv’s they were buying. Only when the gas hit $3.50-$4.50 a gallon did the cry come out for more of the gas efficent cars.

According to one auto dealer I had a beer with yesterday evening reports from California are that large SUV and truck sales have started to rise. Americans have always had a short memory.

I will address a lot of this more in Part 4.

For the sake of argument, if we look at the “credit crisis” we see a few factors causing this mess including corporate greed and rising oil prices. It seems to me that the Big 3 have fed this crisis with their big guzzlers that are so prevelent in their lines.

It’s no small irony that in June, the best selling car in America was the Honda Civic.

What irks me as a small business owner is all these huge corporations have made it difficult for small businesses to survive and now the corporate ho’;s get bailed out while the mom and pop businesses close their doors.

C.Next time you go down the road check all the American cars in addition to the others. Kia is on it’s last legs. Subaru is having significant problems at home and in America. Only Toyota and Honda doing reasonably well. And they are asking for $56 billion from the EU.

D. How do you propose replacing 3 million jobs if, in fact GM actually folds or has a truly problem reorganization plan that necessitate massive layoffs.

E. The UAW has already reduced new hire wages by 50%.

The biggest cost issue for any major corp, unionized or not, is health care costs. That will have to addressed by Obama. That is not under any corporations direct control.

The next segments may not met your approval. Ok. But we cannot risk 3 million jobs for less than 4% of the overall bailouts in progress.

Remember it’s the CREDIT CRISIS that is causing such havoc in Detroit. If they could rollover their daily working loans there would be no or much smaller issue. The same reason applies to the financial industry. If they could roll over their ‘reinsurance’ loans they’d be able to dig their way out too with much less assistance.

Detroit already knew they were behind the 8 ball. They were working on that reality.

Toyota is a fine company. But in segment 2 you’ll find that they’ve asked for $56 billion in the EU as well. Interesting for such a wonderful company.

Pam: Yes the US automakers may not have moved fast enough. Agreed. The UAW has joined the effort and , other than GM which I know too little about, I know the others are trying like hell to catch up. Ford’s worldwide plans show the scope of the issue.

At any rate, since there are two more articles scheduled for today let’s wait and see what everyone thinks of gambling with 3 million jobs just on a GM Bk. Why wouldn’t a simply GM reorg bk work just fine? Read Part 3

I watched the Meet The Press roundtable discussion last night on the bail-outs and the big 3. Problem as I see it is the big 3 have been behind the timnes for way too long when it comes to manufacturing cars and they have been losing out on sales because of it.

I think Alexrod gets “immediate” won’t happen immediately but honestly I don’t think the big 3 have done enough to ensure the jobs of so many by keeping up with technology and the interests of car buyers.

American CEO’s have all been getting fat and lazy and now everyone is hurting because of it.