I almost feel sorry for Harper

[dcbogey]

First his Industry Minister says the CAW/GM "deal" is not good enough in Halifax, then later the same day he refuses to comment one whether the "deal" is good enough to warrant the loan from the taxpayer.

At least he got one thing right - American demand will determine the outcome of this debacle. Which begs another question - why would GM want to continue to make cars in Canada?

 

[WoodPeckr]

It's Harpo, what's to be surprised at?.....

 

[Cinema Face]

GM's business model doesn't work anymore. They can't make cars competitively at a profit. It's not Harper's fault and it's not Canada's fault. It's the fault of the idiots that run GM.

 

[WoodPeckr]

It's the fault of the idiots that run GM.

Not according to Johnny Larue, who thinks the unions and greedy workers mainly did them in.....

 

[dcbogey]

GM's business model doesn't work anymore. They can't make cars competitively at a profit. It's not Harper's fault and it's not Canada's fault. It's the fault of the idiots that run GM.

So why are we giving them a "loan"?

 

[dcbogey]

It's Harpo, what's to be surprised at?.....

If I had wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it.

Don't you have some better material than this?

 

[WoodPeckr]

Don't you have some better material than this?

Hey it's only Harpo....thought that was good enough, no?....

 

[onthebottom]

If I had wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it.

Don't you have some better material than this?

Not really.

OTB

 

[WoodPeckr]

Not really.

OTB

You would know.....

 

[nottyboi]

GM's business model doesn't work anymore. They can't make cars competitively at a profit. It's not Harper's fault and it's not Canada's fault. It's the fault of the idiots that run GM.

I don't agree, the problem is GM cannot design and build cars that people want to buy in the US. They have abused their customers and lost their trust. Sure the union package is a bit too rich, but the product sucks. It is not an "aspirational" brand.

 

[train]

First his Industry Minister says the CAW/GM "deal" is not good enough in Halifax, then later the same day he refuses to comment one whether the "deal" is good enough to warrant the loan from the taxpayer.

?

Clement was right with his comments in Halifax. Give the money to Toyota which makes a good product in Canada and isn't unionized. The expansion should be complete just as GM goes down the tubes.

 

[chiller_boy]

First his Industry Minister says the CAW/GM "deal" is not good enough in Halifax, then later the same day he refuses to comment one whether the "deal" is good enough to warrant the loan from the taxpayer.

At least he got one thing right - American demand will determine the outcome of this debacle. Which begs another question - why would GM want to continue to make cars in Canada?

Perhaps the low loonie, but that can't last forever. When the US dollar tanks they will be able to make cars only in the US. Note that the switch of health care benefoits to the UAW has eliminated the health care advantage that Ontario had over the US.

 

[emerging44]

GM's business model doesn't work anymore. They can't make cars competitively at a profit. It's not Harper's fault and it's not Canada's fault. It's the fault of the idiots that run GM.

Any business that is in the same condition as GM obviously has a "business model that doesn't work anymore"! The question is why doesn't it work anymore and what can be done to fix it? Clearly, the current - and past - government has some responsibility for the macro economic conditions that exist in Ontario and Canada today so it is both Harpers and Canada's fault to some extent. It is also McGuinty's and GM management and their workers/unions. So what? The business model doesn't work because sales have fallen dramatically. It's as simple as that. Even Ford which is in relatively good shape is suffering from falling sales numbers as are Toyota and Honda. The recent incentive proposal by Ford and supported by Honda and Toyota is a good stimulus package for consumers, manufacturers and dealers. This would take older vehicles off our roads and replace them with safer and less polluting new vehicles as well as stimulate the car industry.

 

[Gyaos]

why would GM want to continue to make cars in Canada?

A weak Canadian Dollar is one reason. Bush Jr. and his Amero BS surely destroyed GM as we know it.

Gyaos.

 

[red]

I don't agree, the problem is GM cannot design and build cars that people want to buy in the US. They have abused their customers and lost their trust. Sure the union package is a bit too rich, but the product sucks. It is not an "aspirational" brand.

well since they still have a market share of 24% of the US market- the problem isn't that no-one wants their vehicles.

 

[emerging44]

A weak Canadian Dollar is one reason. Bush Jr. and his Amero BS surely destroyed GM as we know it.

Gyaos.

The Canadian dollar isn't weak, the US dollar is strong. If you look at the Canadian dollar against other currencies, you will see that it is relatively stable (except the British Pound which is weak). In times of crisis, investors buy what is considered to be the strong currency in the world. Today, that currency is the US dollar.

 

[JohnLarue]

Not according to Johnny Larue, who thinks the unions and greedy workers mainly did them in.....

Your a real piece of work.

I must have said half a dozen times that the management has not been stellar and needs to share in the blame and the pain, as all parties should.
I suggested wholesale changes in management
I suggested the unions take a shot at running the company

Do you honestly think the unions are 100% blameless and there is absolutely nothing they could have done or can now do to help right the ship and save the industry and their jobs?

I don't know what your problem is but I will bet its difficult to pronounce and at this stage incurable.