Quote Of The Day: The New Triumphalism Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

We’re right on the verge of having 12 million in vehicle sales

UAW boss Ron Gettelfinger waxes optimistic in a recent speech at Wayne State University [via The Freep]. “Not so fast,” says Automotive News [sub]’s delightfully cranky senior editor, John K. Teahen Jr., in a piece appropriately titled 12 million sales this year? Don’t hold your breath.

Hit him with the fire, Teahen:

The seasonally adjusted annual rate for March was 11.7 million, up from 10.4 million a month earlier… To reach 12 million for the year, the monthly adjusted sales rate would have to average 1,050,468 for the next nine months. It’s possible, but it is certainly not a cinch. Sales have exceeded 1 million only three times in the past 15 months.

Word to Gettelfinger: Teahen broke this shocker ten days ago… you might want to pick up a [sub] yourself.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
 5 comments
  • PrincipalDan PrincipalDan on Apr 15, 2010

    Even at 12 mill what exactly would the excess capacity be in the system?

    • Geee Geee on Apr 15, 2010

      would be a bit over 1 mil excess, last I checked. Not a whole lot to cheer about. I mean, let me ask you, when you were younger, playing video games, like the Atari...when you clicked the reset button when things weren't going well, did you feel like a winner?

  • Geeber Geeber on Apr 15, 2010

    Just because sales recover doesn't mean that all manufacturers will share the bounty. Sales during 1962-65 were excellent in the U.S. market, but Studebaker closed its U.S. plant in December 1963, and AMC was in real trouble by the end of 1965. I can see GM reaping the benefits of a market rebound, but I doubt that Chrysler will.

  • Jkross22 Jkross22 on Apr 15, 2010

    This guy is such a weasel.

    • Vento97 Vento97 on Apr 16, 2010

      "Ron Gettelfinger has been presented with an honorary Doctorate Of Weaseldom from Wayne State University..."

Next