Jay Leno for, Jeremy Clarkson against Detroit 3 bailout

[camaro5]

Hmmm...Jerkame Clarkson against it, what a surprise - NOT.

Thanks Jay Leno, you motorhead. Enjoy your ZR1!

It's the battle of the big chins! (Who are we kidding, Leno would win that fight against anyone.) Two gentlemen who stand as giants in automotive culture have finally weighed in with their opinions on whether or not the Detroit 3 should be rescued by the U.S. government. Jay Leno is all for it, citing the loss of this country's manufacturing infrastructure as the most compelling reason to save the automakers. He also cites a number of points that have been mentioned here and elsewhere, including the disparity between helping white collar workers on Wall St. while hanging blue collar workers on auto assembly production lines out to dry, the huge number of suppliers and businesses that depend on U.S. automakers, and the fact that domestic products have become competitive with the world's best in the last few years and it would be a shame to "get so close to the finish line and not win the race."

Jeremy Clarkson, on the other hand, disagrees. Though the top host of Top Gear says that we may be encountering the "end of days" for the auto industry, he fears the repercussions of letting another industry off the hook. Clarkson claims that he's against state intervention while at the same time acknowledges the immensity of Ford and GM (he calls Chrysler "two bit") and the number of people who depend on them for employment. Despite the ramifications of letting the Detroit 3 slip into oblivion, he leaves us with, "Where does it end?" We'll find out soon enough

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/05/j...oit-3-bailout/

[Camaro_Corvette]

Good old Jay.

[Georgie]

leno's cool

[Mr. Wyndham]

So Clarkson's not "against" it per say...he acknowledges the ramifications...hmm..

I'll say again, where's MY interview?!?!?!

[GatorBlue371]

Interesting... the American Car Enthusiast is FOR saving the American Companies... while the British car Critic is against it... hmm... imagine that.

[DGthe3]

Leno has always pulled for the big 3, well any domestic automaker (past or present) really. Clarkson doesn't seem to want them to fail, he is just dealing with things in the abstract. As far as 'where does it end', well there aren't too many industries that are as important as the auto industry. Plus he's probably bitter that the British government didn't help out their car companies when they were in need.

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

So Clarkson's not "against" it per say...he acknowledges the ramifications...hmm..

I'll say again, where's MY interview?!?!?!

Get in line behind me. Sure you've been here longer and have made more forum posts than I have. But my international perspective makes my opinions more valuable. What a difference 50 miles can make!

[zebra]

as muck as Jeremy's bashed on the American auto makers in the past, this comes as no surprise. in more recent years, he has been quite impressed with more of our cars, but i can see where he is coming from. if you look back to the 1970s when the gov't helped them out, they got back on their feet & look at them now - right back where they started. i'm in no way blaming them for the state they're in: CAFE, the EPA, DOT, and other organizations kept piling on restrictions & mandates that pretty much cut their feet out from under them. i thank Jay for standing up for the guys that build his collection and all the American jobs that would be saved by helping them in this time of dire need. it's sad to hear that even some of our own members are losing their jobs this Christmas on account of GM having to cut back just to stay alive.

[dieseldave24v]

Our beloved top gear host is against it because he is against America. I love the show and just read through all the anti american BS that he says. I think he is worried because we can now build cars that can go around corners...opps I meant bends..lol

[GatorBlue371]

Originally Posted by dieseldave24v

Our beloved top gear host is against it because he is against America. I love the show and just read through all the anti american BS that he says. I think he is worried because we can now build cars that can go around corners...opps I meant bends..lol

we can now build cars faster than any Germany can build. EVEN around corners.

[zebra]

what's a corner or a bend? i can make a left turn 500 times in an afternoon. does that count?

[Moose]

Another reason to like Leno over that a-hole Letterman.

[camaro5]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Leno has always pulled for the big 3, well any domestic automaker (past or present) really.

He explained himself on SPEED channel one day. They were showing off his LATEST Corvette (at the time).

The interviewer asked him to explain his vigor, and enthusiasm for American cars. What he said, changed my way of thinking forever:

"I don't think many people in China are watching the Tonight Show. I support those who support me." WOW!

Originally Posted by zebra

as muck as Jeremy's bashed on the American auto makers in the past, this comes as no surprise. in more recent years, he has been quite impressed with more of our cars, but i can see where he is coming from. if you look back to the 1970s when the gov't helped them out, they got back on their feet & look at them now - right back where they started. i'm in no way blaming them for the state they're in: CAFE, the EPA, DOT, and other organizations kept piling on restrictions & mandates that pretty much cut their feet out from under them. i thank Jay for standing up for the guys that build his collection and all the American jobs that would be saved by helping them in this time of dire need. it's sad to hear that even some of our own members are losing their jobs this Christmas on account of GM having to cut back just to stay alive.

Well said.

Originally Posted by dieseldave24v

Our beloved top gear host is against it because he is against America. I love the show and just read through all the anti american BS that he says. I think he is worried because we can now build cars that can go around corners...opps I meant bends..lol

I saw the youtube video of Top Gear's Corvette test, from a few years ago.

They have improved the Corvette so much since then , most notably interior perceived quality levels. As well as engine, trans, steering.

However, If I ever see that bastard in real life, I'm gonna run the other way, so I don't go to prison for beating him in the face with my bare hands. j/k

Originally Posted by zebra

what's a corner or a bend? i can make a left turn 500 times in an afternoon. does that count?

NASCAR driver, eh?

Originally Posted by Moose

Another reason to like Leno over that a-hole Letterman.

You know, I grew up with Dave, I saw his first show ever with Bill Murray - forever ago.

He has really begun to piss me off too. Acerbic is the word I saw describing him. No women that aren't skinny will even think of going on his nasty show.

I still record it sometimes, and ff through the bs.