More proof that its going to be 'business as usual' @ GM... they want the publics' $$ but they obviously don't want to change their ways... or be accountable for their excesses.

http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE4AQ7T420081127


NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), whose chief executive was blasted last week by U.S. lawmakers for flying on a private jet to ask for public funds, has asked the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to prevent public tracking of a jet it leases.
"We availed ourselves of the same option as others have," to have the plane removed from the FAA's tracking service, a GM spokesman, Greg Martin, said Thursday.
He declined to comment on why GM made the request or when the company expects the FAA to decide whether to grant it.
Last week, GM said it would return two of its leased corporate jets.
GM CEO Rick Wagoner had traveled to Washington, D.C., to testify about the carmaker's dire financial situation and plead, along with the chief executives of Ford Motor Co (F.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Chrysler LLC, for $25 billion in aid from the federal government.
Lawmakers took the companies' executives to task for their luxurious travel arrangements.
"Couldn't you have downgraded to first class or something, or jet-pooled?" Rep. Gary Ackerman, a New York Democrat, asked at the hearing held by the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.
Spokespersons from Chrysler or Ford were not immediately available for comment on whether their companies had made similar requests with the FAA.

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Cheers,
Robert

Some of these guys' world view revolves around them being high and mighty, with ostentatious luxury at every turn. When that's in danger of not being there, they holler about the sky falling and the need to be propped up.

I wonder how soon before we find out about 6 figure bonuses coming out of the taxpayer funded bailout.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

This jet thing is old. How much is it really costing vs the 25 billion they are asking for? Is it a significant sum?

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

Part of it is the principal that he's doing it. Also i'm sure there are plenty of other privileges these CEO's are enjoying even during the hardest of times.

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

It's a potent symbol of putting personal comfort and privelege ahead of efficiency.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

What is wrong with you? Why are you just pooh-poohing it?


Why can't you see, it is emblematic of their insufferable arrogance, their unconcern with......BUILDING AND DESIGNING GOOD CARS THE PUBLIC WILL WANT TO BUY...... and instead, protecting their executive pay,perks, golden parachutes, privileges and millions upon millions of compensation?


Take a look in neighborhoods, highways and mall parking lots? How many made in America, by American companies, do you see? Half the Japanese sedans are built in American factories; even Buicks have Mexican engines now.


They don't get it. They should be fired, the lot of them, WITHOUT golden parachutes.


They are greedheads, and totally and irredeemably corrupt. Their PERSONAL greed and imcompetence. coupled with greedy unions and lazy union members building the cars, spelt doom.


GM Ford and Chrysler are doomed if these people stick around. Maybe it is too late, they are doomed already.

It is very likely the end of the Big Three as we know them, the merciful end of the laughably mediocre American car, the end of the big dumb SUV, Hummers and Escalades and Suburbans now considered about as palatable and attractive as the fat, hairy guy sweating into your margarita at the beach.

People have wised up: American passenger cars are doomed.


The only people who will buy them are people who make comments like this to a SF newspaper columnist:


"I bet you drive a Pirus (sic) or perhaps a Honda Fit because you look like a sissy. Oh these cars have style if your a homo from San Fran. Do you remember Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed us, real Americans buy American from the big three."

"Rice-a-roni sucks! And so do hippies, and homos, and wanna-be writers making $30k a year looking for attention."


"Dont ask us for any help with your wildfires and earthquake problems a-hole. Looks like California will die before Detroit does."


"You are as stupid as anyone! Maybe we should let all the gays die! Who would read your stupid column! BUY AMERICAN!!!!"


"You are one of many so-called Americans who need an education. Maybe America will get lucky when the big earthquake hits and Mexifornia will no longer exist. In the meantime why don't so-called Americans like you move to Japan where you belong."

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

You could monitor the gm jet on the same site where my daughter tracks Santa.

While we're at it, I think we should bail out the U.S. textile industry too. Oh yeah, I forgot.

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2009 E320 Bluetec 117,000
1995 E300D 306,000 Sold
1996 Ford Taurus LX 130,000 Sold
1985 300TD Still 225,000 Sold
2016 Ford Fusion 24,900

Just FYI, foreign automakers get subsides from their home countries. Like healthcare.

Enough of the over paid union crap, new contracts take effect in 2010 which make their labor cost comparable to Toyota.

Several vehicles like the Volt will be online in 2010

And saving money starts with the little stuff flying a G4 to DC from Detroit is not only stupid because there are so many public flights available, its sheer arrogance to do it while begging for money.

While I agree with you about the image and principle, I think it is not as significant when you consider how far they are in. IOW, whether they had gone this way or booked an economy ticket to Washington, they are so far in the hole, this won't make any difference in the practical world.

Building good cars the public wants to buy takes money. When your car building COST is over $2000 depending on which side of the road it is is built on, NOTHING you do will make the difference. At least not in that price range. On a Maybach or Bentley, you could get away with it. On a $20K car, probably not. That is like me trying to stay in business when I buy a product for more than Wal*Mart sells it. Ain't going to happen. No way, no how.
I haven't had breakfast yet and probably will skip it thanx to your comment about the fat hairy guy. Thanx a lot.

Not sure I see a negative in that comment.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

So what? 2010 is eons away. I'm not sure but according to them, they won't eve survive till then. But lets say they do. Lets say the costs are now comparable. I have to ask. What is the cost of repairing a now broken relationship? For instance, if I used to be a die hard GM, Ford or Chrysler fan but got bit by your bad products and have seen the better side of the road with Honda, Toyota, etc, etc, what can you do to win me back? Or if I am a new buyer and people talk about the Jap stuff being superior, which is is. How will you win me over and with what? Promises of how good it is going to be? Even if you to make exactly the same car as Toyota in 2010, what will make me want to take a chance with you when you have had negative opinions of you for decades before?

I'd rather it start with the big stuff. Yes, I agree it is way more than arrogance. Stupidity doesn't even cover it. If I go to the casino and drop $500 every week and on the way home, I buy a Starbucks coffee and my financial picture changes suddenly. Which habit should I cut out first? My casino visits or the Starbucks coffee?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

2010 is an eon? I thought is was a month and a year. In the automotive world its about 6 months from now.

another fact: what Aklim wants and what a normal consumer wants are polar opposites.

If I invest money in a company I want to know how they're spending it and making sure that they're efficiently spending the money to make the company viable and competitive again.

Now that we're on the verge of spending 25 billion on the makers of sales projection busting cars like the XLR, SSR, H2, H3, and Aztek how are we supposed to be relieved that they're looking to save the companies and not themselves?

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Would you deny these far-seeing captains of industry,these satraps of industrial efficiency such additional luxuries as their heated and air conditioned parking garages?

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XLR is selling, SSR was a limited production success, H2 is being shut down, H3 is minimal because it shares components with the TrailBlazer...Aztec has been gone for how long?

I thought that they said they won't survive another few months without a bailout? What is the latest figure? 3 months? 6? IF that were the case, 13 months might as well be 13 years.

Your point? If you have one, that is? Assuming you read your tea leaves or tarrot cards right and know what I really want in all situations?

__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow