SocraticGadfly: Time to let GM die?

February 18, 2009

Time to let GM die?

Hell, besides the way it’s killed quality, environmental carmaking the last 30 years, it’s now killing itself trying to get dressed up a like a Las Vegas bride for a wedding with government bailout money.

I mean, selling AC Delco? That’s getting awfully near the core.

Phasing out Saturn, GM’s red-headed stepchild? That shows, in a capsule, or under a microscope, the history of GM’s short-sightedness with it.

That all said, the Wall Street Journal notes some Saturn dealers are trying to keep their brand alive by selling Indian or Chinese cars under that nameplate.

Carmakers in both those countries are surely salivating at the idea.

And, if you’ll look at the WSJ graphic, it’s perplexing as to why GM would ax Saturn; it’s sales, like all carmakers not named Hyundai, are off, but they’re better than any other GM division.

This looks like the EV-1 all over.

So, maybe we need to kill it off. The government pension plan insurance hit would probably be less than the bailout hit. As first creditor, take GM physical plant and resell it. Use the bankruptcy for further pension plan reform.

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