Originally Posted by lopezv123 (Post 2686185)

Just give us a diesel option in the US... Fuel economy problem solved.

Originally Posted by blw

What will kill the Jeep is Obama and his EPA - the new corporate average fuel economy requirements may cause Chrysler abandon the Jeep unless they can get it over 25MPG average.

Originally Posted by ChryslerChris (Post 2686934)

Well without Obama, Chrysler would have been out of business and Jeep would have probably died with it. Just sayin. :dontknow2:

Originally Posted by blw (Post 2688159)

Do a little research - the main reason for the auto bailouts was to keep the manufacturers from renegotiating their union contracts. The bailout was more for the unions. Plus, Jeep would have survived during a restructuring of Chrysler as it is profitable. And recall that Jeep used to belong to AMC etc. - it will survive as long as it makes money.

Originally Posted by ChryslerChris (Post 2688276)

...The bankruptcy would not have been government sponsored and would have probably dragged on until now. And yes, both companies would have went belly up. And as far as research is concerned, did you know that Ford shares about 70% or more of the auto suppliers that GM and Chrysler use? If GM and Chrysler went down, odds are Ford would follow soon after.

I still have a job in the auto industry thanks to THIS president. He's not perfect, and he's made a lot of mistakes, but for this one very clever act that saved the American auto industry, he has my thanks, my vote and my gratitude.

Originally Posted by blw (Post 2689024)

Ford took no bailout money and did well. I'm not sure if Chrysler has paid off their loans, and not saying they shouldn't have been offered some sort of cheap financing, but GM has not paid it back yet and may never given the stupid green cars they produce like the Volt at government behest. Also, I believe Bush initiated the bailouts anyway, including TARP, so you should give him some love, right?

Having said all that, I would prefer way less government intervention, especially from the regulation side of things. Ultimately it will crush innovation and productivity, and that should worry you.

In any event, thanks for helping to make a quality product, I love my Chrysler so far!

Cheers!

Originally Posted by ChryslerChris

At the time of the bailout, Jeep had the JK which was the only good vehicle in the lot but was criticized for lots of hard plastic. The Liberty, Commander, Patriot and Compass were all Daimler/Cerberus products and most of them were crappy plastic-laden decontented POS vehicles. Sales for Jeep were at an all time low and many of these models couldn't be given away. The brand could have died, kinda like how Hummer did.

As far as doing research, you'll notice they weren't "bailouts". They were very high interest government loans which both GM and Chrysler ditched as quickly as a dead cat once the banks (which were the real crooks - they got away with ACTUAL bailouts, money that the American people will NEVER see again) started to loan again.

The union renegotiations happened under the Chapter 11 umbrella, which was the only way to get the automakers back in the black. Legacy costs plus uncompetitive wages had to be cut back.

If McCain and "I-can-see-Russia-from-my-porch" Palin took charge, absolutely ZERO DOLLARS of government money would have been granted as loans. The bankruptcy would not have been government sponsored and would have probably dragged on until now. And yes, both companies would have went belly up. And as far as research is concerned, did you know that Ford shares about 70% or more of the auto suppliers that GM and Chrysler use? If GM and Chrysler went down, odds are Ford would follow soon after.

I still have a job in the auto industry thanks to THIS president. He's not perfect, and he's made a lot of mistakes, but for this one very clever act that saved the American auto industry, he has my thanks, my vote and my gratitude.