Bailout Watch 447: Bailout Backlash Hits ChryCo, GM Sales
Well, you knew it would. But does it really matter? Now that both Chrysler and GM depend entirely on federal tax money for their survival, who cares if they don’t sell anything? OK, back up. America’s zombie automakers need to sell enough vehicles to maintain some sort of credibility as “viable” companies. But then they can just use the federal “loans” to subsidize lower prices and keep moving the metal, as Chrysler has done. Until, of course, they can’t. Because the general public is well and truly fed-up. First, James Brown sang “Living in America” not “Paying Taxes to Support Detroit.” At the same time, the MSM’s “will they/won’t they file for C11” coverage has buyers nervous about American Leyland’s warranties and residuals. And the two failing automakers have decided to go radio silent on the whole issue (don’t want to scare the horses or queer the lobbyists’ pitch). Bottom line: falling sales and lost “consideration.” As documented by a survey of 40,000 car buyers over the last two months by CNW Research [via Automotive News, sub]:
Fewer new car shoppers are considering vehicles from General Motors and Chrysler LLC at a time when consumer attention is focused on their request for further U.S. government aid, according to a survey released today.
The share of car shoppers who say their primary choice would be a vehicle from one of the GM brands dropped by almost 12 percent, while the share for Chrysler dropped by a third, according to the study from CNW Research.
And more federal money will stop this trend how? In fact, Ford is already picking up from the itsgonnahappen.com failure of their cross-town rivals.
Ford Motor Co., the only U.S. automaker not relying on emergency aid from the U.S. government, has seen a nearly 12 percent increase in the share of car shoppers who say it would be their first choice.
Other winners . . .
“Hyundai and Kia show staggering increases in future consideration,” CNW said. “While that may be considered a distortion because they are starting with a low base market share, it is worthy of consideration considering how well both brands have been doing during the past rough months.”
Earlier this year, Hyundai rolled out a novel incentive program that allows car buyers to return their vehicles if they lose their jobs.
GM has said it is studying the Hyundai offer and may offer a similar program of its own.
Now THAT would be funny, in a tragic sort of way: GM guaranteeing buyers that the company on taxpayer funded life support will back them up if they go bust. Bailout Nation, eh?
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- ToolGuy The only way this makes sense to me (still looking) is if it is tied to the realization that they have a capital issue (cash crunch) which is getting in the way of their plans.
- Jeff I do think this is a good thing. Teaching salespeople how to interact with the customer and teaching them some of the features and technical stuff of the vehicles is important.
- MKizzy If Tesla stops maintaining and expanding the Superchargers at current levels, imagine the chaos as more EV owners with high expectations visit crowded and no longer reliable Superchargers.It feels like at this point, Musk is nearly bored enough with Tesla and EVs in general to literally take his ball and going home.
- Incog99 I bought a brand new 4 on the floor 240SX coupe in 1989 in pearl green. I drove it almost 200k miles, put in a killer sound system and never wish I sold it. I graduated to an Infiniti Q45 next and that tank was amazing.
- CanadaCraig As an aside... you are so incredibly vulnerable as you're sitting there WAITING for you EV to charge. It freaks me out.
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We are talking only $1500 difference between the Focus and the Astra. Believe me I'm not going to worry that much about $1500. I'm going to buy what I want. If I am going so far as to spend HUGE money (anything more than $5K is huge money to me) on a depreciating asset then I'm going to buy what makes me happy. Sunroof, cruise, CD player, a/c, alloy wheels, etc. Besides that is a $25 difference per month between the Focus and Astra if the vehicle is financed for 60 months. I did note that you ouldn't find anything approaching the invoice price. I'd guess that if a person showed interest in an Astra that Saturn might "make a deal" just to move SOMETHING off of the lot. I haven't bought a Saturn before so I don't know how firmly they are priced. GM prob ran the numbers and decided that they expected to sell X units and so they'd make more money building them in Europe. If the car was a runaway hit - I don't know how since they keep it a secret - then they could build a production line here or Mexico. As much as I want to reward GM for a product that I wholeheartedly approve of - this coming from a guy that still hasn't seen one in person - I won't be lining up to buy one b/c the timing is all wrong for me personally. Maybe on the used market? Makes me sad b/c finally GM did something right but I don't feel like I can support them here. Want to. Not enough to dive into a car payment though.