As Obama has already said, paraphrasing, that the bridge to success must lead to immediate viability. I might add, no vague promises of assurance - everything in writing. The entire management team must resign, effective immediately. A transition team, waiting in the wings, made of industry experts with labor union leaders will take applications and interview. Retooling begins immediately. Mandates for efficiency standards, quality control, alternative hydrocarbon systems that use biodiesel (i.e.. from hemp seed, algae - no food crops), hybrid-plugin technologies and finally total electric. Government will integrate the needs of infrastructure (bio-fueling stations, plugin facilities, etc) through financial incentives. Time’s running out for a process to resuscitate this mess with minimal risk of failure. We must not fail.

The auto companies have a business model which is totally unworkable.

• Too many employees, too highly paid. Automation is to autos what computers are to millions of other jobs.

• Too many dealerships — 15 times as many as Honda and Toyota.

• Too many different models — to many parts to make and stock.
Cadillac SUV competes with Chevy SUV, Saturn, etc.

I opened a magazine last night and the first spread had an ad for GM’s Saturn. There were five autos including a sedan, a sporty convertible, a crossover, an SUV and a van. Beside each one was the gas mileage ranging from 22 to 28 mpg.

This ad is the solution to the auto problem — just produce these five cars and no others. Remember when they made only five cars? Chevy, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac.

Millions of manufacturing jobs have already been sacrificed on the alter of Free Markets and No Regulation. Let the autos fold. 

I know 59 individuals who have lost jobs, businesses benefits since NAFTA in 1993.

Anyone who has worked at an auto company for any length of time should have been able save and invest a lot for just such a time as this. (It has been apparent for decades they are a mismanaged industry.)

If they didn’t — that’s tough!