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[Dave-C]

http://www.mercurynews.com/politics/ci_12491411

This will be worth watching, not sure if it's a sad day, or a nudge to make the world realise that it's borrowing too much in the first place.

$60 billion sounds small when you say it fast

[Banjax]

GM - massive conglomerate of various marques, failing in an economic depression so bought out by the government - sound familiar?



and we know how well that turned out 

[TheBoy]

There is not a car mass producer out there who is not worried.

GM's trouble is they made rubbish that nobody wants, and was arrogant enough to think if they filled the dealers with anything, it would shift.

Ford, who were in far worse condition financially around 3yrs ago, managed to start to turn things around in time before the recession really took hold in their home country.

[crazyjoetavola]

GM - massive conglomerate of various marques, failing in an economic depression so bought out by the government - sound familiar?



and we know how well that turned out 

Bang on again bannjaxx    Another example of how size matters ....... in the negative sense

[Marks DTM Calib]

Its interesting because Gm Europe have been turninga  rpofite, so have Holden and a few more of teh 'focused' sub groups.

The US lot have been bloody idiots, sticking to what they ahev done for 100 years without looking at the changing market. They are only now considering introducing a small car (i.e. the Corsa which they already have designed !) and more diesel engines and smaller petrol engines.

To me, its not rocket science!

Thankfuly, the german government are securing the funding to keep GM europe going (they are not covered by chapter 11 protection as they are outside the US) until the takeover can be completed.

[crazyjoetavola]

There is not a car mass producer out there who is not worried.

GM's trouble is they made rubbish that nobody wants, and was arrogant enough to think if they filled the dealers with anything, it would shift.
Ford, who were in far worse condition financially around 3yrs ago, managed to start to turn things around in time before the recession really took hold in their home country.

Bankrupt in design ideas, bankrupt in strategy, bankrupt in moral and fiscal responsibility and now bankrupt in actuality - are we really surprised? :-/ :-/

Seems to have more in common with our present administration the more one thinks about it
 
........and we're depending on them to provide sound stewardship of any deal to protect the employment of Vauxhall workers ....... I hope there're not expecting too much at Ellesmere Port

[crazyjoetavola]

Its interesting because Gm Europe have been turninga  rpofite, so have Holden and a few more of teh 'focused' sub groups.

The US lot have been bloody idiots, sticking to what they ahev done for 100 years without looking at the changing market. They are only now considering introducing a small car (i.e. the Corsa which they already have designed !) and more diesel engines and smaller petrol engines.

To me, its not rocket science!

Thankfuly, the german government are securing the funding to keep GM europe going (they are not covered by chapter 11 protection as they are outside the US) until the takeover can be completed.

I was impressed by Lord Peter's attendance at the talks in Berlin to ensure that the voice of British concerns about the future of Vauxhall rang loudly enough

[Marks DTM Calib]

Well considering they only have Ellsmere Port in the Uk knocking out Astras (Luton only has the offices, parts and a small special vehicles centre), there is not much to go!

[crazyjoetavola]

Well considering they only have Ellsmere Port in the Uk knocking out Astras (Luton only has the offices, parts and a small special vehicles centre), there is not much to go!

I hope that's not the thought uppermost in their minds, and of that governing the efforts to secure a relatively sound future up there Mark :-/ :-/.... in the negative sense of course

[Kevin Wood]

Well considering they only have Ellsmere Port in the Uk knocking out Astras (Luton only has the offices, parts and a small special vehicles centre), there is not much to go!

I hope that's not the thought uppermost in their minds, and that governing the efforts to secure a relatively sound future up there Mark :-/ :-/.... in the negative sense of course

I would imagine it'll be a lot easier for them to ditch UK employees than German employees, especially as the German government are at least seen to be doing a darn sight more than Mandelson.

Kevin

[Marks DTM Calib]

Well considering they only have Ellsmere Port in the Uk knocking out Astras (Luton only has the offices, parts and a small special vehicles centre), there is not much to go!

I hope that's not the thought uppermost in their minds, and that governing the efforts to secure a relatively sound future up there Mark :-/ :-/.... in the negative sense of course

I would imagine it'll be a lot easier for them to ditch UK employees than German employees, especially as the German government are at least seen to be doing a darn sight more than Mandelson.

Kevin

Its easy to hire and fire in the Uk and a nightmare in Germany!

The Uk governemnt do little (if anything) to encourage and support manufacturing (its got worse in the last 10 years surprise surprise) so I would expect the Uk to get hit!

[Kevin Wood]

Its easy to hire and fire in the Uk and a nightmare in Germany!

The Uk governemnt do little (if anything) to encourage and support manufacturing (its got worse in the last 10 years surprise surprise) so I would expect the Uk to get hit!

Agreed on both counts.

It's a good job we don't need manufacturing any more, having such a strong financial sector, etc... 

Kevin

[Martin_1962]

Its interesting because Gm Europe have been turninga  rpofite, so have Holden and a few more of teh 'focused' sub groups.

The US lot have been bloody idiots, sticking to what they ahev done for 100 years without looking at the changing market. They are only now considering introducing a small car (i.e. the Corsa which they already have designed !) and more diesel engines and smaller petrol engines.

To me, its not rocket science!

Thankfuly, the german government are securing the funding to keep GM europe going (they are not covered by chapter 11 protection as they are outside the US) until the takeover can be completed.

I was impressed by Lord Peter's attendance at the talks in Berlin to ensure that the voice of British concerns about the future of Vauxhall rang loudly enough

Who?

[STMO123]

Ellesmere Port is already tooling up to produce the new astra, so should be OK for the short/medium term. It will kill the area if they leave. I worked there in the early seventies, when we had a bad downturn and the three day week came in. There is absolutely nothing else in the area that could fill the gap if vauxhall left town.

[TheBoy]

Possibly makes sense to close the head office at luton, concentrating on Ellesmere port, though I think they may struggle, as the track at Luton is a JV with another company