Auto-matic for the People

The Big 3 present a unique problem. Because so many jobs are at stake and because they encompass such a significant portion of the domestic economy, I agree that we can't just wash our hands of it and let them fail.

But the auto industry- perhaps more than any other sector- has sabotaged itself utterly. As Dave said, product quality has been lagging behind that of foreign manufacturers for years. What truly staggers me though is the blatant disregard these companies have for..well...the planet I suppose.

Do you realize that the average MPG of today's vehicles is worse than it was 20 years ago? You're telling me that in the past two decades we've been able to perfect the Internet, put a silicon chip on the head of a pin, build a space station, and institute nanotechnology...but somehow we can't make cars more fuel efficient?

Despite weighing less? Despite significant advances in materials and design (especially with regard to wind resistance)? Come on, dudes.

True, this is applicable to vehicles beyond those made by the Big 3, but those particular companies put themselves at the forefront of firing line by consistently making less reliable, poorer quality vehicles. So not only do we actively avoid technological advancement that could help save the environment, we also deliver an inferior product! Yay! This method of operation has had its consequences, like massive financial losses year after year. In the face of which, the Big 3 did...um...nothing.

In a way, it reminds me of a blue-collar family that spends everything they make even as inflation eats into their earning power. Then, suddenly, they're laid off, have no reserves because they lived outside their means, and cry for help. Only this is worse, because they were knowingly peddling their craptastic wares.

It's been said: “He who fails to plan, plans to fail”