There has been a lot of talk among the conservatives about the GM bankruptcy and buy-out being some type of Obama plot to force socialism on this country. As a Management Scientist, let me tell you it was nothing more than Business As Usual, meaning a huge corporation manipulating the government to get them to give them exactly what they wanted.

Consider: GM was able to make null and void all contracts, from supplier agreements (which included quantities and prices) to Organized labor agreements (union contracts) to contracts to their own dealer network (how product will be supplied and at what price). This allowed GM to re-negotiate ALL CONTRACTS from a position of power - that is, play along with the new clauses and prices beneficial to GM or you are out of the game. And it was all legal, including the hardest contracts of all to get out of: organized labor.

Next, GM was able to flush all debt. Overnight they owned no one a penny, including payments for already delivered goods and services, loans on facilities, and the like. Finally, they were allowed to keep all capital assets on hand (that is, the few billion in cash they normally have set back as development money for upcoming products).

And look at the timing. GM went out of business, and the bankruptcy was rushed through the courts and completed, all in the time period GM would have normally been shut down for new car change-over anyway.

If the government was really putting something over on GM, why didn't they take the government all the way to the Supreme Court to fight it? There was certainly precedence. The president tried this during WW II and the Supreme Court shot it down (except then it was an attempt to socialize production for the war effort and stop war profiteering rather than provide advantages to companies). No, GM didn't utter a peep, because it was all their idea to begin with. I hope someone writes the real story someday.

And now we hear they won't honor warranties prior to the reorganization. That may save them money in the short term, but will cost them in the end. Very poor planning, as it will sour the public on GM quicker than any of these other issues.

 

bang???

 

shouldn't that be "BOOM"???

 

Nah, my car no go boom, just bang, then limp mode.

 

Sorry, I have been following your many adventures. I hope GM does the right thing for you.

 

So how many design flaws does the HHR SS have? And if you have a warranty do you think that your local dealer is not going to take care of you and your car? Or is it that some people want the company to step up and fix something that is out of warranty?? Just curious

 

Looks like they will honor warranties but will plead ignorance to any recalls needs on '08 or earlier vehicles. Should be interesting....

 

Question #1 - If anyone knew the answer to that we wouldn't have anything to talk about. I pointed out one on my engine. Many here have pointed out the key stuck in the lock. There are more. Point is if you surf other forums other car owners have their complaints too. I don't see an unacceptable amount on the HHR considering the cost. One can always upgrade to the next level Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, etc.

Question #2 - Depends on the dealer one dealer I have dealt with here, I would say NO, the other YES. Give your business to the one that treats you right.

Question #3 - Yes there are those people, but I think most people just want what they paid for.

Just my opinion

 

THis is not your opinion here this is the truth. You are correct on all 3 statments.

Many of the same things we see here are the same Toyota, Honda and Ford issues.

The key to good service is being informed and working with a good dealer. GM tried to kill many problem dealers for this reason but then they were stopped in many cases. I have one dealer here that should have been removed but other stepped in and stopped GM from putting them down.

As for people wanting warranties on non warranty issues it happens daily on my job. If I could only count the times I take product back over warranty times or even self inflicked damage in the name of good service. So often anymore people will not accept responsibility for their own errors. I know not all cases are like this but companies get screwed much more than they screw others.

Too often political parties love to make villans of industry and people with money.

Some abuse are over the top. I saw where Walmart would have people buy a mower in May and then the people bring it back in Nov because they did not like it? Some may say this is a isolated case but the sad truth is it happens a lot. Other firms see similar cases too. The story pointed out the high cost and customer abusing retailers that in the end we all pay for.

 

mightymouse you really stirred it up with this thread