The key to GM's surivival is to build a $12,000 vette.

They certainly didn't use them as Taxicabs in Africa when they were new. They are still being used as such now because they are simply able to outlast the crud that was around when they were new. Not sure about the situation in Asia but I'd be surprised if it were any different.

Only in Europe, were Mercedes ever used as Taxicab's when they were new. But that was the bottom of the range, not the top.

- Peter.

The Government Motors version the the Vette, Hmmm lets all design it for them.

If it has to be a 2 seater ( rather inefficient wouldn't you say--but supposing they get some beaurecrat's permission...) its footprint should be no larger than the Smart car.
How much power does this 2 seater require?---probably under 100HP, maybe under 50.
Electric Power, or Hybred; no big gas motor.
Since I ( the regulating czar) think men's hats are coming back into fashion, there must be sufficient headroom to wear top hats inside the car.
Anything that contributes to the new GM ;veetr going faster than 70mph is eliminated. as are sophisticated systems that permit cornering at speeds higher than the " 20 mph Safe Speed" signs you see on some curves.
For safety/ improved visibility the driver needs to sit up high with a commanding view of the road.
( I think I am describing the 1922 Modet T roadster) Maybe that's the new 'Vette---efficient, dependable, never to be improved.

Fiat has been government owned for a long time. I think they produce some fairly interesting cars.....Ferraris for example.

So I am cautiously hopeful for our automotive companies.

One of the things that FDR tried to do was encourage the survival of the smaller auto companies. The survival was temporary, unfortunately.

http://www.rv.net/SharedContent/cfb/images/doh.gif LMAO!

Actually.....their only survival plan is to STAY ON WELFARE PAYMENTS, as a ward of the state. -As they are now. Yet another reason to avoid their flimsy company products at all costs.

If they can build their business model similar to the foreign companies that make cars here, then there is no reason why they couldn't survive and even thrive. I'd sooner buy domestic than foreign, if the price and quality are right.

I don't care where the car is made. If you make a reliable, easy to work on, DOHC variable valve timing, 4 corner dbl wishbone, excellent handling, good looking car, I'll buy it (if I can afford it).

the other issue is, will someone buy a car from a company in bankruptcy? I think not, I know I wouldn't. Why? well what happens when they go belly up and pull a Delorean(not the man but the company).. no parts, no support(ok well it will be like today with a 5-10 year old car) but on a wide scale.

I'm sorry but GM needs to die

A deal killer for me is if they start handing out ridiculous bonuses again. I don't want my comparatively hard-earned dollars fattening their wallets, especially when the foreign execs (as far as I know) are much more humble and mindful.

Yes!

When Benz bought Chrysler they were appalled at the multi million dollar salaries of the top execs. The top benz people had salaries in the hundreds of thousands, so that was put right in a couple of years.

My buddy who is an accountant says the exorbatant salaries come from the top execs sitting on each other's boards and scratching each other's backs.

Sounds like a Honda Accord to me....one FINE MOTORCAR! I rode in a new Accord the other day in Texarkana......what a car.....very impressive ride, look, and feel. Too bad Mercedes-Benz doesn't make a car as impressive.

China will be America's source for new, cheap, very economical vehicle transportation. That's the only country capable of making what the controller of GM (Obama) wants the world to make. Remember, Obama stated that he was glad gasoline was getting to $5.00 a gallon.....he was just surprised it was getting there so fast. -An econobox on wheels to meet the CAFE standards. China, is our only hope.

Bah! They did that 30 years ago and they still went bankrupt.

Heh, Heh!

Yeah I was channeling my Prelude talking about that. Of course the S2000 took all the downsides of the Prelude out. I don't know if the Accord has switched to Macs now or not though.
One other thing I would accept is a small displacement diesel, turbo optional.

I don't think so. Unless the price of vehicles comes down a lot, I don't think the Chinese could make any headway in the American car market. What's astonishing is that it's really not hard to figure out what to build. The hard part seems to be getting them to do it, while not spending tons of money on themselves.

If so, they have followed the likes of the Toyota Camry, AND, the C-Class Mercedes, as far as I know.