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The Final Insult: Chinese automakers may buy GM or Chrysler

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by justlurkin, Nov 18, 2008.

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  1. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    It was reported in the Chinese press, and because of that it must be taken with a block of saltlick. :p

    Chinese May Buy GM and Chrysler | The Truth About Cars

    Like Jim Cramer says, "which sovereign wealth funds? Communist or terrorist? I guess we'll take any because we're so desperate." :D

    Would they even bother trying to utilize GM's 2-Mode hybrid stuff or the Volt, I wonder.
     
    #1 justlurkin, Nov 18, 2008
  2. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    I hope so. That way, the Chinese can clean up this UAW mess.
     
    #2 dipper, Nov 18, 2008
  3. viking31

    viking31 Member

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    Actually it would be much easier if they just endorsed their checks from Walmart...

    Rick
    #4 2006
     
    #3 viking31, Nov 18, 2008
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wouldn't be surprised if that was true... Tata bought Jaguar and Land Rover! How ironic eh? Guess they're just doing the English a favour ;).

    From the Chinese POV, it's a good way to get a big foothold into the global auto market (just like what Tata's doing).
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Nov 19, 2008
  5. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    How ironic, indeed.
     
    #5 PriuStorm, Nov 19, 2008
  6. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Let's hope they'll take the Hummer with them while at it...
     
    #6 zenMachine, Nov 19, 2008
  7. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I don't think anyone's stupid enough to buy Hummer. They'll probably unload it as an add-on to a deal. (We'll sell you "this" but you have to buy Hummer too.)
     
    #7 Godiva, Nov 19, 2008
  8. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Or maybe give away Hummer as a dealer incentive! :)
     
    #8 zenMachine, Nov 19, 2008
  9. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    Hummer was giving away a segway for every 2 H2 bought... :D
     
    #9 dipper, Nov 19, 2008
  10. priusuk2008

    priusuk2008 New Member

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    I wouldn't call it an insult at all - the Big 3 makers should be eternally grateful that someone would want to buy the plants that make the POS they produce today.
    Ironically too, IF this happened, just watch the quality improvements in those cars increase, the cost come down, the profits go up and new innovative up to date designs come out every year.

    Don't under estimate the Chinese. I work with them every day, stupid they are not....if Western workers had the same work ethic as they do, crap cars would have been a thing of the past.
     
    #10 priusuk2008, Nov 19, 2008
  11. PriuStorm

    PriuStorm Senior Member

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    I was watching the testimony on Capitol Hill today... wow, those CEO's are a sorry lot. Cry me a river of crocodile tears.
     
    #11 PriuStorm, Nov 19, 2008
  12. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    I've been watching it for two days. Why do you say that?
     
    #12 malorn, Nov 19, 2008
  13. priusuk2008

    priusuk2008 New Member

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    Wow ! You were actually sat on the Hill watching this open air drama taking place ? -- sorry, wrong thread, looking for Heroes website :D

    If you were a couple of years short of a huge pension, you also would cry the biggest river to make sure you were still on board by then, or am I just cynical ?
     
    #13 priusuk2008, Nov 19, 2008
  14. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    No doubt. China used to be derided as the place where all the shoddy goods come from. One definitely have to respect how far they have come, considering that precisely-manufactured things like computer parts comes from China today.

    What we need to worry about is that these foreign entities are not looking after our best interests. That is why every time I hear things like Prince Ali Binwaleed is going to buy more Citigroup or the Chinese Sovereign Wealth Funds are going to buy up GM or Chrysler, it leaves me wondering just how much control the American people really have over their own destiny.
     
    #14 justlurkin, Nov 19, 2008
  15. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    We still have control, just stop the boats coming and the money leaving. It really is pretty simple. what are they going to do declare a trade war with us? At least then it would all be out in the open. Last year we were on the short end of the trade stick to the tune of around $256 billion on gross trade of $380 billion. We exported $65 billlion and imported $321 billion.
     
    #15 malorn, Nov 19, 2008
  16. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Easier said than done, of course. Ours is a consumer society that has no stomach for saving. That won't change overnight.

    Or are you proposing erecting "protectionist" measures to stop them boats from coming in?
     
    #16 zenMachine, Nov 19, 2008
  17. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    Not that simple at all. Look at what's coming from China-- American-branded products like Apple I-Phones, HP laptops, and such. Those U.S. Companies and domestic interests who depend on overseas manufacturing will not allow it.

    It's not only cars. You will have a very tough time persuading any American consumer who is accustomed to all the choices offered in the marketplace to give that up.
     
    #17 justlurkin, Nov 19, 2008
  18. malorn

    malorn Senior Member

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    That can be adjusted fairly easily, it is getting to be about the survival of the US as we know it.
     
    #18 malorn, Nov 19, 2008
  19. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    I applaud your optimism. However, it's taken us many decades to get into this mess. We won't be able to extricate ourselves so easily or quickly.
     
    #19 zenMachine, Nov 19, 2008
  20. justlurkin

    justlurkin Señor Member

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    I'm rather puzzled by what unspecified things Malorn thinks is "fairly easy" to adjust, since there is certainly nothing easy about the current crisis.

    Nevertheless, I'm sure the U.S. Government will have a say on whether or not they will permit the Chinese to buy up GM or Chrysler. The last time the Chinese tried to buy up a major U.S. Company (ConocoPhilips a few years ago), it did not go through. Then again, we did allow Daimler to buy Chrysler, and they certainly demonstrated they did not have Chrysler's best interests at heart. It's looking more likely that Chap11 might be the only way forward.
     
    #20 justlurkin, Nov 19, 2008
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