GOVERNMENT WILL OWN 'UP TO 69% OF GM'...

[MrIcky]

Originally Posted by camaro_corvette

Yes, but if the government doesn't deliver us cars that we actually want GM will tank. Then they will receive no tax money in return, thus representing a total loss on all sides. I know what your talking about. But the gov't can't just make GM sell cars that nobody wants. It's in the company's best interest to continue to make the awesome products that they have been giving us for years. It's no secret that Americans are becoming less brand loyal everyday. We just don't care anymore. If this company isn't making something we want then we will just go to a competitor. Simple as that.

The problem is I don't think many of us on this board understand what 'the people' want. 'We' (the people on this board) want fun cars. We care about MPG, but only somewhat. As was pointed out in another thread: preorders for Prius = 75,000, preorders for Camaro = 14,000. This isn't a Prius debate, that the other thread- but strictly looking at numbers only a tiny percentage of Americans want Camaros.

Additionally, the group of people who are overseeing the whole GM debacle have said that GM "needs to stop producing cars no one wants". The logical conclusion is that the people in an oversight position don't believe American's want the cars GM produces. So the government doesn't think the American People, as a whole, want the cars that the Camaro5 population wants. When the hottest American car for preorders in years sells only 18% of what the 4th generation Prius sells, that's an indication to the government that they are right - Americans don't want fun cars, they want high MPG appliances. Expect the 80s all over again- GM run by bean counters with personal heroes like Lutz and Heinricy left outside.

Finally, the government does not look at things in terms of tanking. Throwing money down a hole is pretty much status quo. If GM breaks even it will be the most profitable thing the Government has ever done (under ANY administration).

Sorry to be so negative, this whole mess combined with my RL has got me down- but I really think people have some blinders on.