[small_steps]

As Ford and GM have been only making money on the financing portions of operations, and that sales are lagging, what are the chances of GM and Ford surviving much longer? Take a look at their product lines, and what little money they currently make is from some of the larger vehicles. And these sales have been influenced by the loose credit over the past few years and a rather short-sighted tax break.

And in this business environment, they have been having some serious troubles:
http://www.reuters.com/financeNewsArtic ... ID=6503266

credit ratings explained:
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/03/102203.asp
http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/gm15e_20041015.htm

Now what happens as the tax break gets slashed, the credit availability gets tighter, and the cost of operating the vehicles get higher? Now add increased commodity costs passed down from their suppliers, and increased pressure from pension and healthcare costs.

any ideas?

[nero]

I think the GM and Ford are prime to go through some competitive bankruptcy like in the airline industry and the steel industry. The've got to shed their pension plans and medical benefits. Toyota is eating their lunch and it is just a matter of time before the economy goes int a difficult period where one of them gets voted off the island.

This is however only related to peak oil peripherally.

[chris-h]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('nero', 'I') think the GM and Ford are prime to go through some competitive bankruptcy like in the airline industry and the steel industry.

[BabyPeanut]

New Urbanism meets Oil Elitism.

When only the rich drive, what will they be driving?



http://www.fordvehicles.com/autoshow/concept/synus/

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')s the population shifts back to the big cities, you'll need a rolling urban command center. Enter the SYNUS concept vehicle, a mobile techno sanctuary sculpted in urban armor and inspired by the popular B-cars of congested international hotspots. Short and slim for easy city maneuvering, it looks bank-vault tough on the outside - with intimidating and outrageous styling that even features a vault-style spinner handle in back with deadbolt door latching. When parked and placed in secure mode, SYNUS deploys protective shutters over the windshield and side glass. Small windows on the flanks and roof are non-opening and bullet-resistant. The SYNUS concept also signals security through its use of a driver-side dial operated combination lock on the B-pillar. Flat glass in a slightly raked windshield furthers the armored-car look of this concept. Bold wheel arches make a design statement as well as accommodate the vehicle's exceptionally wide track.

On its welcoming inside, the SYNUS makes any mission possible. The interior can transform into a mini-home theater with multi-configuration seating and multi-media work station, all controlled by a Wi-Fi laptop. Use the 45-inch flat-screen LCD from Sharp for Internet research, DVD viewing or any screening needs. Plus, you can monitor your surroundings in real time as seen by the rear-mounted cameras. Driving SYNUS can be just as lively and efficient with a 2.0-liter diesel engine that delivers 134 horses and 236 foot-pounds of torque and is also designed to offer outstanding fuel economy.

[BabyPeanut]

Jesus would be proud to be an American now--more and bigger and get out of my way or I'll unleash my killbots on you.

I wonder how many killbots you can put in a SYNUS?

[BabyPeanut]

At the 2005 Detroit Auto Show

http://motortrend.com/autoshows/coverag ... index.html

[BabyPeanut]

http://www.freep.com/money/autoshow/200 ... 050119.htm
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '"')It's awesome. That is so cool. Wow!" says Dennis Blake, 45, of Clarkston, peering at the 6-inch-thick doors, the combination locks on the exterior, and the humongous flat-screen TV that replaces the rear window.

...

Chief designer Joe Baker affectionately describes the Synus (pronounced Sin-you-ess) as "a tough little guy" that appeals to young people living in gritty urban environments -- the same cool cities Gov. Jennifer Granholm is trying to promote.

[MikeB]

And it can drive over a stack of corpses how high?

[NevadaGhosts]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 's')anctuary sculpted in urban armor

[NevadaGhosts]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'a')nd is also designed to offer outstanding fuel economy.

[MikeB]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')nd you think the 'Synus' is neato... check these vehicles out:

[NevadaGhosts]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('MikeB', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'A')nd you think the 'Synus' is neato... check these vehicles out:

[0mar]

What the fucking fuck?

[NevadaGhosts]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('0mar', 'W')hat the fucking fuck?

[Aaron]

Pictured here crowd-crushing in an annoying "food" riot, Smart Truck 3 offers exceptional luxury, for a truck with the power to "cut a path" when it needs to.

Customer Mary Mitchell says, "You can barely feel the bodies as you run them over!" "It's like total security."

With optional corpse racks, used to display trophy bodies to induce fear, the nerve gas injector system, & the exclusive "drum buster" audio defense package, you and your family can relax quietly in any situation.

[NevadaGhosts]

OMG Aaron. That is just too funny!



But could you please make water hoses from the vehicle spraying down the protesters? lol

[MikeB]

"The horror..." "The horror..."

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BabyPeanut', 'N')ew Urbanism meets Oil Elitism.

When only the rich drive, what will they be driving?

[Phil]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he army also wants the vehicles to be marketed to other customers such as government agencies or regular Joes who only feel right using a stepladder to get behind thewheel.

[DomusAlbion]

Volkswagen also has a good idea. It's small but beautiful.

http://www.boreme.com/bm/JAN05/a/vw-sui ... ump_fr.htm