Another blow for the Big3?

[SageMother]

What I've read is that most American consumers would be doubly-reluctant to purchase a Big 3 car if the company was bankrupt because they'd be concerned about the continued availability of parts. What do you think?

I can see a huge after market area opening up for small auto motive repair businesses. Machine shops and fabrication might make a comeback, as well.

 

[heretoday]

With the precision that small shops can exact out of computer-driven gear, you're right that this sort of situation might enhance after market fabrication by independents. Blueprints would probably get posted online and then you could choose your own fabricator.

 

[Laughingmouse]

With the precision that small shops can exact out of computer-driven gear, you're right that this sort of situation might enhance after market fabrication by independents. Blueprints would probably get posted online and then you could choose your own fabricator.

During hard times, people fix what they have, instead of buying something new.

Now might be the best time to consider starting an appliance repair business, or investing in a little automotive equipment and hanging out a shingle!

I am watching for small business start up programs from the government, down the road!

 

[heretoday]

Laughingmouse, I'm reminded of a tv show I saw a while back that was about Cuba and how they've coped with the years of isolation. They've become innovative mechanics who drive truly hybrid cars, hybrid because they're made up of bits and pieces of different scavenged cars. Ah, the mother of invention!

 

[Laughingmouse]

Laughingmouse, I'm reminded of a tv show I saw a while back that was about Cuba and how they've coped with the years of isolation. They've become innovative mechanics who drive truly hybrid cars, hybrid because they're made up of bits and pieces of different scavenged cars. Ah, the mother of invention!

I have a feeling that we have become too quick to focus on the difficulties of adapting, instead of looking at ways to adapt.

Of course, corporate America has a vested interested in our remaining too scared to change!

 

[heretoday]

It is fascinating sometimes (and a bit scary) to examine the advertising strategies that are used on us as consumers and to realize that so very many of those strategies are based on trying to scare the absolute bee-jeezus out of us just so somebody can make a few bucks.

 

[Laughingmouse]

There are amazing fabrication machines that scan with lasers, then build the scanned item in plastic. It would be easy to create molds for new parts that way.

Perhaps the Big 3 are worried that this technology will overtake new production.

 

[heretoday]

I had never considered that (hadn't read anything about it) but you are probably correct. Fabrication has come such a long way with computers and there are awesome new plastic compounds that rival metal in their durability. It must keep the Big3 awake at nights

 

[SageMother]

I had never considered that (hadn't read anything about it) but you are probably correct. Fabrication has come such a long way with computers and there are awesome new plastic compounds that rival metal in their durability. It must keep the Big3 awake at nights

I wonder how many government grants it would take to set up a fabrication operation, using one of those machines, computers, and some good workers?

 

[heretoday]

What "we" are you addressing?

SUV's were an unnecessary and unwise product line to begin with. Auto makers wanted us to buy them, but most of the folks around here started buying foreign cars because they got better gas mileage.

Auto makers spent a great deal of time trying to convince us we wanted them.

As we remember the gas crisis in the 70s, my husband and I would never have bought an SUV or one of those big honkin trucks.