CP Future Plans dependent on Auto Industry Bail Out?

During WWII the plants of the big # were used to manufacture military vehicles to support the war effort.

You know...Henry Ford had relations with a company who sold to the Germans?

Maybe GM should make vehicles for terrorists? I think terrorists drive foreign vehicles mainly. There is a market to be tapped here now.

I have an awesome idea. Obama requires all new USPS mail delivery vehicles to be made by one of the big three and they be plug in electric. All new police cars the same. Businesses would be created overnight to install the systems at police stations and post offices.

Then require post offices to get solar panels installed in areas that make sense.

Lowering demand for foreign fuels if we power it with nucleur or green energy. Creating an opening for plug ins to be possibly adapted in city parking lots, or even by third party companies that would like to rent space to install their own plugin boxes for hybrids. Pay the city portion of revenue.

I wish we could do something with the economy rather then let it suck ass in Michigan.

CP will be hurt by people being laid off locally. There are job cuts across the board in manufacturing and no one is hiring in the midwest. Even college grads having difficult time with employment. 28th street in GR has never looked emptier. Buildings are up for lease everywhere.

I think people might look at home for "cheaper entertainment". Instead of traveling abroad they are like well lets try things at home. Who would have thought the amusement park industry would have done so well in 08 with gas prices?

People are still rolling back costs. By November the country realized we are really screwed with half a million jobs lost. I am trying to save like I don't know if this is my last paycheck. I think the company I work for is looking to cut back. Myself as a CP regular of some sort, have become a little mroe used to the place. I might be able to survive a season without going more than once. Work really gets in the way. If I have a job that is next May...you know than I might consider buying a $150 pass.

Lots of if's right now. If I do not have a job I will not be paying $2.50+ gasoline and $150 for a season pass. It will not be financially feasible. You can go to CP and nickle and dime it but you still spend money on food and lockers. The trip adds up to a $130-150 day trip this last summer. You start to add up the money and realize holy hell that was an expensive hobby just to wait in line for Maverick.

I love the TV ads right now produced by unions talking about saving American jobs. My "Japanese" car was built by Americans, actually. The one and only "American" car I had was built by Mexicans.

Besides... it's a global economy. If you want to play in the sandbox, you need to bring a shovel and buckets that make sweet sandcastles. The big three figured this out too late.

CPboy77 said:
The only difference between the two are that foreign cars have more non-basic stuff to them. You can surely find an American car that can fit your needs.

There are some meaningful differences. I like European cars myself. Discounting the road feel (superior) of European cars, if you hang on to a car the rust warrantee is much better on the imports. Audi, BMW and VW all have 12 year unlimited mileage rust through warrantees. Big difference between the typical GM 6 yr or 100,000 mile rust warrantee. Other domestic brands are similar to GM in rust coverage. Body integrety and interior quality seem much better on the Euro cars.

Not sure if I missed it but price is a major factor. I tried very hard to buy American a little over a year ago but the price just couldn't be beat by any of the big 3. $16500 out the door for a 4 dr nearly loaded with 27mpg city and a 50000 full warranty. Closest thing I found with the same options was 19000 with lower mpg. I would love a Mustang but I don't have the $$$ for it. It's all about what comes out of a person's pocket every month and foreign cars are way lower, if your looking for a cheap car. The Hyundia I bought has had not one problem. The last Jeep I leased had two problems that rendered it undriveable with under 15000 miles on it.

I do agree the Unions have made things difficult but I think the big 3 are just as much to blame for the problems they are facing. I recall the UAW a few years ago actually filed a lawsuit to keep a plant open (not sure which company it was) and they won. How can a company stay afloat if they can't cut cost when things are bad? I believe it would be a disaster for our country if one of them fail and we can't allow this to happen. But big 3 managment have to man up and change their entire way of doing business and if that means not backing down from the UAW then so be it.

IF they fail, I think its certain CP would see a drastic decline in attendance. If I lost my job CP would be the last place I would be going to.

Have you seen the bumper sticker "don't put MY American flag on your foreign car!"?

I just can't help but think "small minded" when I see those. Could just be me, though.

Well, since the American flag clearly belongs to, and only to, the owner of the bumper sticker, it makes total sense to me . . .

Costs could be saved if Ford, GM, and Chrysler simplified how they sell cars.

Nissan sells an Altima S, Altima SL. You do not have a lot of options that cannot be easily installed at the dealer. Basically moon roof and fog light kind of options. I think navigation might be another large add-on.

While the slew of options available on domestics are nice and all. The packages that Nissan offers makes it easier for car dealerships to try and find that car to sell to you (that is already made). Where as your specifications for a Ford might limit you to a new car off the production line built just for you.

This is one theory floated by a friend of mine. I have to say it makes sense in more then one way. Honda and others do this as well.

I think we have to understand that the big three sold us what we wanted. We wanted bigger engines, we wanted bigger cars, and even worse...lots of large trucks and SUV's. The big 3 supplied this. You want a 5.0L V8 you got it.

Although the big 3's latency in adjusting to consumers needs is a concern, and could be a large reason they are not doing so well. Our needs have changed with high gas prices. Quality and gas mileage are key concerns now.

Or another way to save money for Ford and GM is do we need identical models of cars and trucks with different names and brands. Especially for GM as in there truck line Chevy Colorado - GMC Canyon is a example. As my Chevy S-10 I drive when they were making them had a GMC twin Sonoma. My friend who owns the same year of the Sonoma compared the stickers where it was made and they were made in the same factory. How about eliminate all the twin models out there that could save money. Also the unions are sucking them dry like was said before which I completely agree with. As for quality lately it does seem that the foreign cars have better quality as my truck is about ready to turn 180,000 and I am dreading the time when I am going to have to fork over the money to fix it as I am seriously considering buying a foreign car but the price has to be right. At least my transmission will survive a little bit longer cause when I only had 30,000 miles I needed a new one put on glad it was still under warranty. For all the naysayers I do not drive rough and abuse the truck with stupid driving as I do anything to try to conserve gas and make it last longer.

e x i t english said:
Have you seen the bumper sticker "don't put MY American flag on your foreign car!"?

I saw one of those the other day on a big jacked up Dodge pickup. On the front window, it had the phrase, "Dodge the father... Ram the daughter."

I don't think that needs any additional commentary.

I'm sure there are many people in other countries who would say "Don't fly your American Flag on MY soil."

Oh, those jacked up trucks are a whole different ballgame. Why is it that every one of them has to have obnoxiously large exhaust pipes (usually vertical like a semi) and they drive like complete a-holes, especially when they see me in my Honda. It always seems like they punch it and let out a huge cloud of smoke and noise, just to show off their big "American" truck.

I enjoy when "those guys" think their trucks can beat my car. They can never come close to it:)

Because they are clearly superior.

Actually I wouldn't mind a big jacked up truck. It'd be easier to run trees and other debris over.

Or get through snow:)

That would be nice too. Although my truck now does a pretty good job at that.

e x i t english said:
Why is it that every one of them has to have obnoxiously large exhaust pipes (usually vertical like a semi) . . .

It's because they're compensating for . . . um, feelings of inadequacy.

Some people are into trucks and pipes and jacked up trucks and mud bogging and crap like we are into roller coasters. It's really not that big of a stretch to realize that we're about as weird to them as they are to us. :)

Not to mention, most of the hillbillies with lift kits in my town, are driving older Toyota trucks...

Good point bholcomb. But their obsession tends to effect others, e.g. loud exhaust that drives me crazy. What else drives me crazy (many suv drivers do the same) is how fast they drive in the snow. Just because they won't get stuck doesn't mean they won't slide into me.

That's stereotyping. How is what you said anything different than me saying "black people like to steal TV's"? You're making a broad stereotype over a group of people.

Roller coaster nutcases affect others too. Look at Single Push 'em over Rider Bob.

And before you ask/assume, no I'm not really into big trucks. I wouldn't mind one for storm chasing if someone gave it to me. I take some pride in my truck, but mostly that comes from how reliable it has been and how well maintained I have kept it. And the fact that it's been paid off for awhile now. :)