Automotive News, Media & Press - Has GM lost their mind?!?

GM is supporting the goverment with the federal scrappage program. WTF? Thank God SEMA is fighting but with GM siding with the goverment, this could get ugly. :mad: http://www.superchevy.com/features/sucp_0905w_gm_supports_federal_scrappage_program/index.html

Ummmmm people realize there is an environmental cost to build a new vehicle right????

Of course they are on board! It limits our option on car purchase. If it gets to a point where there is only 10% of original vehicles manufactured (older than 25yrs old) then we will be forced to buy new for lack of options, because the few that actually remain will be collector's items :nod:

Whats everyone going to do with those vouchers when they cant get a loan? Maybe this isnt nation wide yet but they already do this in California. My friend just tried to retire his Bronco but he got denied, and its only for $1,000 anyway, not really a make it or break it amount of money. But he doesnt even have a 500 credit score, he thinks this little voucher somehow is a free loan voucher too. I tried to explain to him that if i'm getting denied with a 695 score, making $60,000 a year, he has no chance at 500 making under $20,000 a year but he wont listen. I think his situation is going to be common nation wide if this gets going, and you know its going to, all people will hear is free money!

I don't think you are going to see a ton of desirable , older cars being turned in for scrap ( 1st& early 2nd gen F-bodies , Chevelles, Corvettes , etc.) they are worth more than the voucher but this does cause issues for those who can't afford a new 40,000.00 vehicle. It is a bad idea ....

Not following how GM urging Congress to start a program that would likely boost GM's sales, a program that uses no GM funds, just taxpayer ones, leads to one asking if they are out of their minds. It is the sanest thing they have done (IMO) in years.

If GM doesn't agree, the government wouldn't even consider loaning more money, think about it.

If you ask someone if you car is cool and they say no, it's a piece of shit, and argue their point about it, would you loan them $50 bucks? I wouldn't.

GM is a puppet of the government now, and will support anything the government says to keep the money coming in. Good idea or not, most of the language coming out of GM has been approved by the Fed.

Not following how GM urging Congress to start a program that would likely boost GM's sales, a program that uses no GM funds, just taxpayer ones, leads to one asking if they are out of their minds. It is the sanest thing they have done (IMO) in years.

Anything the government sticks their nose in stinks like rotten eggs. And we don't need a bunch of people going out and buying new cars they can't afford. Hell I make a decent salary and I will not pay 600 a month for a new damn near base model car.

It's an interesting idea, but yet there are some crazy flaws to it. But oh wellll.....

GM = Government Motors

I saw a few months ago on TV the speaker of the Bundestag, where he was questioned from what pot the money for the scrappage program is coming from. And he answers with a straight face "This pot has the bad name "debts"". And I don't think the US has the capital right now to finance it.

And you are right if you say all the people hear "Free money!". They think they can take some money from the gov. and without thinking, they scrap their cars (for example an 30k km BMW 3-series, mint condition, 20 yrs old, way more worth than what the owners was getting from the gov.) because they don't inform themselves and look like "I can has money?"
Some car dealers were smart and sold the perfect running cars to other countries.
For some people is these programs really helpful, but for the majority of car lovers, it's a shame. And while the carmakers can enjoy their profit this year, the next two or three years will be bitter for them..

It won't be long till GM begins building cars that have no soul, and build up absolutely no excitement. Now with Obamas new emissions and CAFE standard (which are a child of current national mated with those of Commiefornia) we all may be seeing the death of the performance V8. If the government has their hands in GM they can pretty much have them make whatever they feel the average American wants. Problem is the average American doesn't want a hatch with 100hp that takes 12 seconds to get to 60mph. If that's what the average Californian wants then fine, but I want a fire-breathing V8 in a car that makes environmentalists quiver and strikes fear in the heart of small children and old people. Soon this site may need to be changed to Fordtech, because they might be the only ones building the cars we want, and not the cars we are told we want.
-Joel

The government is a huge stakeholder in GM now, so this shouldn't surprise anyone.

GM will no longer fight tightening CAFE or CO2 regs either.

The government is a huge stakeholder in GM now, so this shouldn't surprise anyone.

GM will no longer fight tightening CAFE or CO2 regs either.

This post is very funny. I read this board a long time before I joined. The government has been running the auto industry for a long time. The only difference today is they have money invested.

What excuse does anyone have for a low credit score? Why should they ever expect the government to assit them with buying anything? When they can't manage themselves.

because they might be the only ones building the cars we want, and not the cars we are told we want.

^ Joel's comment on Ford........and i agree.

I haven't been here in a while, but since this bill is of great importance to my hobby, I wanted to post and hopefully get some grassroots movement going.

Aside from the increasing the government angle, legislation like this is going to hit us in the wallets in other ways. What will this do to the price of a used T56? How about those $400-800 Gen 3 truck motors some of us love?

How many here have contacted their Senators?

Here is how you find out who to call/email/write:
GovTrack- enter your ZIP+4 code (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd) ZIP +4 can be found on most mail you receive.

Here's a link to Senate Bill 1200:
S. 1200 (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s111-1200)

I'd suggest a call (this doesn't always work as noted below)- it is way too easy for them to blow off an email. They will usually respond to a letter, but that takes a lot of time due to screening.

Here's my email:
Subject: Scrappage bill S. 1200
I am emailing since I was unable to get through on the telephone. The phone rang several times and I was disconnected.

I am an automotive collector and have read the bill. It mandates the destruction of engines and the drivetrain (transmission/transaxle). I am concerned it does not exempt or prohibit the destruction of classic or antique automobiles. These vehicles by virtue of their age are often difficult to obtain parts for, and by potentially reducing the pool of available parts vehicles, this will have an adverse impact on automotive collectors and others. It would force up the price of junkyard parts for others that rely on these less expensive parts to keep their vehicles on the road in these difficult economic times. These people cannot afford the cost of another vehicle new or used regardless of any tax credit or government program.

Motor vehicles over the past several decades utilize overdrive transmissions. These help the engine to achieve better fuel economy due to the engine turning at a slower speed on the highway. A majority of the vehicles that would be covered by this bill would in fact have a similar transmission to those currently produced. It does not make sense to require the destruction of an otherwise fuel efficient part such as the transmission.

This bill is not a proper use of our tax dollars. We would be better served to reduce the amount of federal regulations that the domestic automakers face so they could again become competitive. The bill adds further layers to our already oversized government in that:
"...the dealer shall certify to the Secretary, in such manner as the Secretary shall prescribe by rule, that such vehicle, including the engine and drive train" and

"...in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation, establish and provide for the enforcement of measures to prevent and penalize fraud under the Program."

I am opposed to this bill and as your constituent request you do not support it.

Thank you for taking the time to review this information.

It has gotten to the point where the government has a surplus of cocks, in need of a good sucking, and GM can't find enough mouths

Ugh I can't believe this passed. Granted it sounds nice to get $4500 for a POS... but there are way to many flaws. People will once again purchase a car they can't afford instead of owning something they had paid off. Used parts will become more rare since the dealers are having to scrap the cars that apply for this. And finally why are my tax dollars going to help someone else purchase a car? I could keep going, but I'll get off my soap box .

This is just like Japan guys.

Ugh I can't believe this passed. Granted it sounds nice to get $4500 for a POS... but there are way to many flaws. People will once again purchase a car they can't afford instead of owning something they had paid off. Used parts will become more rare since the dealers are having to scrap the cars that apply for this. And finally why are my tax dollars going to help someone else purchase a car? I could keep going, but I'll get off my soap box .

Like my car?

Nah, first glance I said screw that I can't afford the rest of the money needed to buy another car, second glance no way I want some stupid little econobox or something, and third glance forget stupid government "handouts" that just come back and bite us all in the wallet!!

Like my car?

Relative to what your trading in; is probably what I should have put :P. I'd rather have a LT1 F-body over a new prius :D