General Motors and Ford

Should the automakers be bailed out?

Whether we like it or not, changes need to take place with respect to the US auto industry. General Motors and Ford are struggling with their competitiveness as well as with their finances.

For example, my personal experience with General Motors and Ford is not favorable as compared to Toyota. My expectation when I purchase a vehicle from General Motors or from Ford is that something major will break down at the 36,000 mile mark. On the other hand, my expectation for a vehicle that I might buy from Toyota is that it will last me 250,000 miles before anything major breaks down. Competitively speaking, today I have more confidence in buying something from Toyota than I do from General Motors or Ford. I still have loyalties to buy American, but that must be balanced with results, finances and needs; IE, competitiveness.

So my thoughts to General Motors and Ford is that if you want some of the bailout money, what will you do to improve my confidence and expectations in your products, convincing me that an investment in your future with my tax dollars is a good investment?