Seems that this little giant did it!
check out this URL!
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a6qPrxIsq13s&refer=home
Now I WISH somebody in the upper echelons of GM, Chrysler, you name them, would begin to think to the effect of this:
"Boy, what are we doing to the US economy ...if a Japanese company runs the auto business in this country!"
Maybe now they'll be more open to embracing the population's transportation needs and wishes and focus on cars that
a) last for more than 4 years
b) offer mainly electric and hybrid options on (ultra light wight) carbon-fibre chassis - but seriously, not just concept dummies
c) prove that this country is very much capable and willing to use it's resourcefulness and creative potential to get out of this quagmire!
I mean, the losses arising out of this situation are gargantuous! The automotive industry is one of the most powerful industries and lobbies besides the "war machinery" in this country and the amounts it handles on a daily basis are staggering.
In this time, where we face an environmental threat such as globwl warming, falling water tables and increasing desertification in this country and the rest of the world, we need to adjust our thinking seriously.
If the roman empire collapsed because of its inflexibility, then I do hope that the US economy has not dealt itself the worst hand possible.
Lee Iacocca described the situation of the US importing complete goods and articles (and at the same time exporting grain) as the characteristics of a developing country (or third world country).
I a time where we can fly to Mars on solar sails (sic) this should be unnecessary and I hope that we'll turn the tide on this very quickly....
I really hope this comes to pass, but I doubt it will. The big three need to sell millions of cars to survive in anything like their current form. There is no way they could sell enough ecologically responsible cars to offset the development costs let alone make any sort of impact in their bottom line. Toyota doesn't make much money off of ecologically responsible cars, either, but they'll have them when they become more popular.
Also, if news reports are to be believed, the Japanese already have a big jump on them. Again. Detroit had a chance in the 1970's to heed the wakeup call. They didn't. I believe that was their one and only chance.
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Full time ebiker
BionX and Wilderness Energy
"we must be the change we wish to see in the world"