I don't blame Obama for the current economy or the collapse of GM. I agree they were going down hill for several years. GM sold 17 million vehicles in 2000 and only 10 million in 2008. The fault lies mostly with GM executives, and a little with the economy.
I disagree that GM wasn't making vehicles Americans wanted until gas prices spiked a year ago. I think the public doesn't consider any of the big 3 when they think fuel economy, which is a shame. However, Chevrolet made quality vehicles which got good mileage. The V6 Cobalt is one such car - 36 mpg on the highway, a little less in the city, and it didn't have the price penalty of a battery powered hybrid. I wish I had bought the one I was looking at 2 years ago because my Isuzu Amigo 2WD which got 24 mpg died a little later. Because I buy used, that Cobalt was gone.
I disagree with the assertion that American made vehicles are of poorer quality than Japanese brands. The K-cars, yeah, they were pretty awful. But look back a little further, say to up until the mid 70's and a lot of the Japanese stuff was just as bad or worse. Then the Japanese started making better quality cars, and it took a while for American companies to catch on. I heard that the Japanese government took a proactive approach and helped their manufacturers figure out how to build a better quality car, but I don't know if that's true, and it was a long time ago that I heard it.
Before ULSD became the national standard, I don't think the EPA would allow any diesel powered light duty car or truck in the USA. To my knowledge, VW is the only manufacturer offering diesel engines in this class of vehicle. They designed an engine for their big Touareg SUV that was supposed to meet American emissions standards using LSD, but the first 1000 units they shipped ran so poorly and produced so much smoke that they decided to store them until ULSD became available nation wide. Fortunately for VW that was only about a year wait. If any other foreign manufacture is selling diesel powered, light duty vehicles, please let me know. A car company should (and I bet all do) look several years into the future, yet I don't know of anyone offering a small diesel engine, so I don't think GM failed while Toyota, Honda, Kia, et al prevailed.
I blame Obama for orchestrating the government take over of a private sector corporation. I thought the "bail-out" was supposed to be a loan, and until the loan was repaid (which wasn't likely to happen) the government would gain a non-controlling interest in GM. Shortly after that, the CEO of GM was fired at the urging of Obama. On Monday, 01-June-09, GM will most likely be declared bankrupt under Chapter 11. If that happens, GM will be reorganized such that it's bond holders (their creditors other than the USA) will own 10% of the company, the UAW (not a creditor) will own 17.5% and the US Government will own a controlling share at 72.5%. Does anyone know the definition of socialism? When the USA owns GM, the USA (i.e. Obama, or hopefully someone else in 4 years) will decide if GM goes forward with the small turbo diesel or not.
