US Auto Sales taking a BIG hit

[Tcape]

I was just reading this article on the 'Net....

DETROIT — Auto sales plunged in June as consumers, whacked by rocketing gasoline prices and a weak economy, stayed off car lots.
General Motors (GM), found a bright spot: Despite an 18.2% sales drop, GM outsold Toyota Motor (TM) in June to hang onto its traditional U.S. sales lead. GM was widely expected to lose its lead in the USA.

Toyota sales fell 21.4%. GM reported selling 262,329 vehicles, compared with Toyota's 193,234.

For the first half of the year, GM sales were down 16.3% compared with the year-ago period. Toyota sales were down 6.8% for the first six months of the year.

High gasoline prices and a weak economy also took a toll Ford Motor (F) sales, down 27.9%. Chrysler took a huge hit for the month with sales down 35.9%.

Industry analysts had predicted June auto sales could drop by double-digits to their lowest monthly rate in 16 years.
___________

No word on Honda, but auto sales in general are taking a substantial hit due to gasoline prices. <Surprise, surprise!> Great help for those who are currently shopping for a new auto. I haven't seen this much fear since the gas crunch in the late '70s.

[csimo]

It's really very sad. I know a lot of good people losing jobs right now.

This has nothing to do with union vs non-union. For every auto assembler that loses a job there are at least 5 support jobs gone as well. These are our friends and neighbors.

What this will do to our economy is yet unknown, but I'm sure some ROC members will be among the casualties too.

I wish there was something that could be done. Unfortunately very few are willing to accept the long term changes that are required for the US to regain energy independence. Until that happens we're slaves to those with the oil.

I hope I live long enough to see OPEC choking on all that oil that we won't need. I doubt that will happen, but I can still wish.

[Jack]

DeJa Vu!

Remember when in the 70's US cars were huge, poorly constructed gas hogs? How did they fall back into the same position?

[csimo]

Originally Posted by Jack

DeJa Vu!

Remember when in the 70's US cars were huge, poorly constructed gas hogs? How did they fall back into the same position?

I remember it very well.

I won't address the quality issues, but I will the size issue. How did we go from pre-1973 large cars to subcompacts and then back again? I don't think you can blame that on the auto manufacturer's. They only build what customers want.

If gasoline were to drop back under $3 you'd see people rushing to buy SUV's, minivans, and pickup trucks again within months. The small fuel economy cars would sit on the lot unsold. It's all customer driven.

If it weren't for one factor Honda would be in the same position as the other manufacturers. Honda is fairly unique in that they have very flexible manufacturing plants. They can switch from making large SUV's, pickups and minivans to smaller cars faster than anyone. This ability is due to good planning... not dumb luck, so you have to give them that.

If GM, Ford, and Chrysler could do the same they wouldn't be suffering as much.

In my opinion we need to have a policy to eliminate our dependence on foreign oil (or oil period) regardless of what the price does. The answer is not ethanol, but I'm not sure about hydrogen. We have to generate power using the wind, solar, and nuclear sources and start retiring oil, gas, and coal fired plants.

I'll cut this short. There's a lot I'd like to say, but it almost seems like there's no point. I'm afraid our economy is in for some very serious bad times... like none in my lifetime anyway. Sometimes things have to come crashing down before we can start fresh on the right path.

[Outfitter]

Originally Posted by csimo

I remember it very well.

I'll cut this short. There's a lot I'd like to say, but it almost seems like there's no point. I'm afraid our economy is in for some very serious bad times... like none in my lifetime anyway. Sometimes things have to come crashing down before we can start fresh on the right path.

The real scary thing is that it won't just be our economy in the tank, it will be global and for many additional countries it will get to the point of even being able to have enough food.

[shortspark]

I'll tell you what's even more scary than that Outfitter - we will soon be held hostage. For the most part, the countries we buy oil from are not friends of the US, in fact, they are closer to being enemies. Although they may not (at least on the surface) advocate the extremist Islamic views, I think they are closer allied to those factions than they are to us. Many of the leaders of these countries are no doubt in a conspiracy to beat us; not militarily or with terrorist acts (they are way to smart for that) but to bring us down economically. And oil is their biggest weapon.

It is hurting us now and I would not be surprised if it does not get worse, no matter who we elect President. This is way beyond what a president can do and it is way beyond politics in terms of democrat/republican. This is a problem on a far larger scale that has to be addressed not only by our government but by we the people as well. Our consumption practices over the years, our car manufacturing philosophy, our often times misguided environmental concerns, our foreign policy, our tax and trade laws, etc., etc. all must change and work together if we are to find a solution. It is a huge and complicated situation.

Although I believe no President can solve the problem himself, I guarantee you I am voting for whoever it is that articulates a plan - a real energy plan - no matter how much sacrifice is involved. The candidate that puts a plan together on this subject that I think makes sense has my vote. I'm not going to worry too much about their stand on the death penalty, abortion, gun control, etc. I may or may not agree with them on issues such as these but it makes no difference - no other issue overrides this energy one as far as I'm concerned.

[Outfitter]

Originally Posted by shortspark

I'll tell you what's even more scary than that Outfitter - we will soon be held hostage. For the most part, the countries we buy oil from are not friends of the US, in fact, they are closer to being enemies. Although they may not (at least on the surface) advocate the extremist Islamic views, I think they are closer allied to those factions than they are to us. Many of the leaders of these countries are no doubt in a conspiracy to beat us; not militarily or with terrorist acts (they are way to smart for that) but to bring us down economically. And oil is their biggest weapon.

It is hurting us now and I would not be surprised if it does not get worse, no matter who we elect President. This is way beyond what a president can do and it is way beyond politics in terms of democrat/republican. This is a problem on a far larger scale that has to be addressed not only by our government but by we the people as well. Our consumption practices over the years, our car manufacturing philosophy, our often times misguided environmental concerns, our foreign policy, our tax and trade laws, etc., etc. all must change and work together if we are to find a solution. It is a huge and complicated situation.

Although I believe no President can solve the problem himself, I guarantee you I am voting for whoever it is that articulates a plan - a real energy plan - no matter how much sacrifice is involved. The candidate that puts a plan together on this subject that I think makes sense has my vote. I'm not going to worry too much about their stand on the death penalty, abortion, gun control, etc. I may or may not agree with them on issues such as these but it makes no difference - no other issue overrides this energy one as far as I'm concerned.

Hey shortspark,
Couldn't agree with you more. I thought the HLN Glenn Beck show last night had some great video clips on our past presidents and elected officials and how each of them was going to solve the problems on oil/energy. Particularly liked Jimmy Carters blip.

Glenn Beck - Current Events & Politics - Glenn Beck's Real Story - Energy Independence

[VoicesInMyHead]

Originally Posted by Outfitter

Hey shortspark,
Couldn't agree with you more. I thought the HLN Glenn Beck show last night had some great video clips on our past presidents and elected officials and how each of them was going to solve the problems on oil/energy. Particularly liked Jimmy Carters blip.

Glenn Beck - Current Events & Politics - Glenn Beck's Real Story - Energy Independence

LOL! takes ya back to the same'ole crap...
They think we are mushroom...

[shortspark]

Outfitter, I missed it when I responded to your post earlier but I see you finally got your new '08. It also looks like you are keeping the silver one (for the camp trips no doubt) as well since you have both trucks listed. Congratulations! I knew you were looking around for another RL and I think you made a great choice with that color. When I get rid of my silver I will probably get a gray one too. Or maybe red. Or maybe I'll stick with silver. Or, or, or, or!!!!! Oops! Silly me, I see you did trade that silver one in - RIP!

[Outfitter]

Originally Posted by VoicesInMyHead

LOL! takes ya back to the same'ole crap...
They think we are mushroom...

Yep and in the dark. Gives me a severe case of the red azz