G.M. and Chrysler Explore Merger

[jpinpb]

Forgive my vague recollection, but didn’t the government help the auto industry once before? I’m hazy about that.

I can totally see Ford getting in on this. That was my first thought when I saw the headline about G.M. and Chrysler merging. Ford been around for a long time. As American as apple pie. An icon. It would be a shame to see them fail.

But I agree that all U.S. automakers are in for very tough times, especially now that the ATM housing machine is closed and gas prices are still somewhat high.

[CAwireman]

The tax code supported auto leasing for business for some time. Basically, lease a vehicle for 3 years and deduct the costs. That spread to private ownership and soon we began to think that owning a vehicle was beneath us – we’d just drop off the vehicle to leasing agent, and pick out another.

This kind of behavior led to stoking up vehicle production to unsustainable levels.

I kept a GM vehicle for about 15 years after buying it used. Same for another GM vehicle I’ve have for almost 10 years.

In countries like Cuba, they still drive US vehicles that are 25 to 30 years old.

What’s wrong with the US picture? Autos have become too disposable.

[CAwireman]

The tax code supported auto leasing for business for some time. Basically, lease a vehicle for 3 years and deduct the costs. That spread to private ownership and soon we began to think that owning a vehicle was beneath us – we’d just drop off the vehicle to leasing agent, and pick out another.

This kind of behavior led to stoking up vehicle production to unsustainable levels.

I kept a GM vehicle for about 15 years after buying it used. Same for another GM vehicle I’ve have for almost 10 years.

In countries like Cuba, they still drive US vehicles that are 25 to 30 years old.

What’s wrong with the US picture? Autos have become too disposable.

[CAwireman]

The tax code supported auto leasing for business for some time. Basically, lease a vehicle for 3 years and deduct the costs. That spread to private ownership and soon we began to think that owning a vehicle was beneath us – we’d just drop off the vehicle to leasing agent, and pick out another.

This kind of behavior led to stoking up vehicle production to unsustainable levels.

I kept a GM vehicle for about 15 years after buying it used. Same for another GM vehicle I’ve have for almost 10 years.

In countries like Cuba, they still drive US vehicles that are 25 to 30 years old.

What’s wrong with the US picture? Autos have become too disposable.

[CAwireman]

The tax code supported auto leasing for business for some time. Basically, lease a vehicle for 3 years and deduct the costs. That spread to private ownership and soon we began to think that owning a vehicle was beneath us – we’d just drop off the vehicle to leasing agent, and pick out another.

This kind of behavior led to stoking up vehicle production to unsustainable levels.

I kept a GM vehicle for about 15 years after buying it used. Same for another GM vehicle I’ve have for almost 10 years.

In countries like Cuba, they still drive US vehicles that are 25 to 30 years old.

What’s wrong with the US picture? Autos have become too disposable.

[CAwireman]

The tax code supported auto leasing for business for some time. Basically, lease a vehicle for 3 years and deduct the costs. That spread to private ownership and soon we began to think that owning a vehicle was beneath us – we’d just drop off the vehicle to leasing agent, and pick out another.

This kind of behavior led to stoking up vehicle production to unsustainable levels.

I kept a GM vehicle for about 15 years after buying it used. Same for another GM vehicle I’ve have for almost 10 years.

In countries like Cuba, they still drive US vehicles that are 25 to 30 years old.

What’s wrong with the US picture? Autos have become too disposable.

[jpinpb]

Higgy – thanks a good point and observation. Leasing.

I was lucky to be able to write off my vehicle, whether owned or leased, so I bought. Every vehicle I owned was for at least 10 years and driven into the ground. And most were American. Only my latest acquisition (2001 Audi). And I like it so much and take care of it. Probably going to outlive the normal 10-year hold.

Why do you think most Americans are such a disposable society? Is it ADD? Bored w/what they have? Grass is greener? Competitiveness? Unhappy? Looking for material things to fill the void?

[jpinpb]

Higgy – thanks a good point and observation. Leasing.

I was lucky to be able to write off my vehicle, whether owned or leased, so I bought. Every vehicle I owned was for at least 10 years and driven into the ground. And most were American. Only my latest acquisition (2001 Audi). And I like it so much and take care of it. Probably going to outlive the normal 10-year hold.

Why do you think most Americans are such a disposable society? Is it ADD? Bored w/what they have? Grass is greener? Competitiveness? Unhappy? Looking for material things to fill the void?

[jpinpb]

Higgy – thanks a good point and observation. Leasing.

I was lucky to be able to write off my vehicle, whether owned or leased, so I bought. Every vehicle I owned was for at least 10 years and driven into the ground. And most were American. Only my latest acquisition (2001 Audi). And I like it so much and take care of it. Probably going to outlive the normal 10-year hold.

Why do you think most Americans are such a disposable society? Is it ADD? Bored w/what they have? Grass is greener? Competitiveness? Unhappy? Looking for material things to fill the void?

[jpinpb]

Higgy – thanks a good point and observation. Leasing.

I was lucky to be able to write off my vehicle, whether owned or leased, so I bought. Every vehicle I owned was for at least 10 years and driven into the ground. And most were American. Only my latest acquisition (2001 Audi). And I like it so much and take care of it. Probably going to outlive the normal 10-year hold.

Why do you think most Americans are such a disposable society? Is it ADD? Bored w/what they have? Grass is greener? Competitiveness? Unhappy? Looking for material things to fill the void?

[jpinpb]

Higgy – thanks a good point and observation. Leasing.

I was lucky to be able to write off my vehicle, whether owned or leased, so I bought. Every vehicle I owned was for at least 10 years and driven into the ground. And most were American. Only my latest acquisition (2001 Audi). And I like it so much and take care of it. Probably going to outlive the normal 10-year hold.

Why do you think most Americans are such a disposable society? Is it ADD? Bored w/what they have? Grass is greener? Competitiveness? Unhappy? Looking for material things to fill the void?

[CAwireman]

I think people overconsumed because they could. Loose lending, big business that was happy to let and encourage people to get in over their heads – look at how the whole credit card industry works, or doesn’t.

Overall, people should be able to exercise control. But, we don’t educate our citizens to show restraint. I think overconsumption is deeply engrained in our culture.

My parents were “Depression era” folks and that rubbed off on their kids. Maybe you have to experience it directly or vicariously through your mentors to get it.

Just too bad that we can’t have any confidence in our elected officials or business leaders.

But maybe we can teach our kids these values. Or, maybe they will learn directy for themselves.

[CAwireman]

I think people overconsumed because they could. Loose lending, big business that was happy to let and encourage people to get in over their heads – look at how the whole credit card industry works, or doesn’t.

Overall, people should be able to exercise control. But, we don’t educate our citizens to show restraint. I think overconsumption is deeply engrained in our culture.

My parents were “Depression era” folks and that rubbed off on their kids. Maybe you have to experience it directly or vicariously through your mentors to get it.

Just too bad that we can’t have any confidence in our elected officials or business leaders.

But maybe we can teach our kids these values. Or, maybe they will learn directy for themselves.

[CAwireman]

I think people overconsumed because they could. Loose lending, big business that was happy to let and encourage people to get in over their heads – look at how the whole credit card industry works, or doesn’t.

Overall, people should be able to exercise control. But, we don’t educate our citizens to show restraint. I think overconsumption is deeply engrained in our culture.

My parents were “Depression era” folks and that rubbed off on their kids. Maybe you have to experience it directly or vicariously through your mentors to get it.

Just too bad that we can’t have any confidence in our elected officials or business leaders.

But maybe we can teach our kids these values. Or, maybe they will learn directy for themselves.

[CAwireman]

I think people overconsumed because they could. Loose lending, big business that was happy to let and encourage people to get in over their heads – look at how the whole credit card industry works, or doesn’t.

Overall, people should be able to exercise control. But, we don’t educate our citizens to show restraint. I think overconsumption is deeply engrained in our culture.

My parents were “Depression era” folks and that rubbed off on their kids. Maybe you have to experience it directly or vicariously through your mentors to get it.

Just too bad that we can’t have any confidence in our elected officials or business leaders.

But maybe we can teach our kids these values. Or, maybe they will learn directy for themselves.

[Author]

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