Ford Motor

Now that Bob Lutz advocates the gov'ts "auto task force" I think that Ford is the last vestige of hope for American car companies. I certainly hope the "auto task force" keeps its hands off of Ford Motor. Ford did it alone and does not need to be messed with. I tried so hard to stick with GM (have had five new GM vehicles) but I am sick of all the shenanigans. I'm not saying I won't buy another GM, but it must be designed here and manufactured here in the U.S. We do not need the government dictating what vehicles should be built.

GM - 4

An important point. A small percentage of bondholders (I think 10%) hold Credit Default Swaps (Derivatives) & I think they will make more money if GM goes bankrupt than if GM is reorganized out of court. I think this is one of the problems with the bondholders and the out of court settlement. It only takes 10% of bondholders to accept or reject an offer. We are talking about an extremely important decision about GM, a huge American corporation, and it could be made because of unregulated CDS.

GM - 3

U.S. workers (both union and salaried) are needed to keep General Motors an American company. GM's management must use ways to keep and employ these U.S. workers. There are financial wizards that can calculate the most complicated formulas, therefore they should be able to figure ways of not only keeping, but employing more workers here in the U.S. when times are better.

It is absolutely imperative that GM does this in order for them to keep American pride and be proud of its heritage.

ALSO, it is of extreme importance to have a manufacturing base here in the U.S. From design to production, auto manufacturing is an extremely complex process. It involves many complicated facets, from rigid engineering to the finest production facilities. America desperately needs this and it is a necessity for a strong nation.

GM - 2

GM needs to employ more workers here in the U.S. The white collar and blue collar workers have diminished too much.

Once GM is back on its feet, and producing more vehicles again, it must hire workers from the U.S. This outsourcing is not good for the reputation of GM. And many jobs can be created here when new vehicles come out and are selling.

GM is an American company because of its workers and labor force. This is the reason that some (maybe many) purchase a vehicle from them. It must be understood that to relegate jobs from the U.S. to foreign countries, has a negative effect.

Yes GM can make an excellent product, and yes they are struggling for their corporate life, but without U.S. labor, it is not the same GM we once knew.

GM -

GM should do a complete makeover in the styling of its vehicles. More angles and edges and less of the jelly bean roundness.

This doesn't mean GM doesn't have nice looking cars, and vehicles. It's just that all vehicles look the same today. There isn't much delineation between different makes. All look like they came out of the same mold.

If GM were to start sharpening up their vehicles shapes, it probably would boost sales. Having the same look as other makes, isn't going to win sales. A radical change in design will win sales.

And if GM's sales increase, they could employ more citizens here in the U.S.