Obama's Auto Industry Paying BIG Dividends...

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

...for Ford.

"Government Motors" is driving Americans away.

There is a groundswell of disdain for the federal bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler, even as polls show that a growing "Buy American" sentiment is boosting sales for the only Detroit automaker that avoided bankruptcy and federal rescue - Ford.

GM and Chrysler say some buyers are coming back to support them, even trading in their Mercedes for Chevrolets.

But it is bailout opponents who are the most visible - and audible.

Conservatives thunder that the country has taken a socialist route with President Obama at the wheel.

"I won't buy a socialist car," columnist and radio talk-show host Hugh Hewitt thundered last month.

Others agree - at least about GM.

"Over the years, we have mostly been a General Motors family. Since GM has become Government Motors, we will never again buy a GM product," said William Crowley of Spicewood, Texas.

However, Mr. Crowley already drives what some would call a "socialist car."

"We libertarian-conservative Texans recently bought a Volvo after we roll-over-crashed our Chevy Suburban," he said. Volvo is owned by Ford, but made in Sweden and Belgium.

It's not just conservatives who are turning away from two of the Big Three. The bailouts were opposed by most Americans, including substantial minorities of Democrats surveyed in March and June polls, according to Gallup.

That could mean bipartisan support for Ford.

"You could say even Obama supporters don't like [it]," said Jeremy Anwyl, chief executive officer of car-buying site Edmunds.com. "I'm not sure you can put a party label on it."

Kate Internicola of Arlington Heights, Ill., drives an old Hyundai but said there will be two Fords in her driveway soon.

"My husband traded in his 12-year-old Jeep, and he is one of those 'buy American' kind of guys. We decided to go with Ford, and our reason was that they didn't take any money from the government," she said.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/06/gm-chrysler-experiencing-sales-backlash-after-bail/print/

heh

[thundley4]

...for Ford.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/jul/06/gm-chrysler-experiencing-sales-backlash-after-bail/print/

heh

What's funny is that I've been hearing 3-4X more GM and Chrysler ads on the radio than Ford ads.  Ford should have been going all out during this time.  I've heard more than a couple of lifetime Chevy owners saying that their next car will be a Ford or an import. 

[DumbAss Tanker]

The icing on the cake is that they are apparently going to produce their low-end electric in Michigan, the two overriding concerns were supposedly "The environment and community impact" (I.e. pure bullshit and saving UAW jobs in Michigan) as opposed to, say "Quality and price point."  An electric microbox would be useless to me due to where I live, but I can't see how they'd sell any of the damned things to anyone if that's their priority system. 

[rich_t]

I won't be buying any cars from Government Motors.  I certainly won't be buying any over priced electric pos either.

[JohnnyReb]

The icing on the cake is that they are apparently going to produce their low-end electric in Michigan, the two overriding concerns were supposedly "The environment and community impact" (I.e. pure bullshit and saving UAW jobs in Michigan) as opposed to, say "Quality and price point."  An electric microbox would be useless to me due to where I live, but I can't see how they'd sell any of the damned things to anyone if that's their priority system. 

The copper thieves will most likely love it....light weight but profitable.

[The Village Idiot]

The icing on the cake is that they are apparently going to produce their low-end electric in Michigan, the two overriding concerns were supposedly "The environment and community impact" (I.e. pure bullshit and saving UAW jobs in Michigan) as opposed to, say "Quality and price point."  An electric microbox would be useless to me due to where I live, but I can't see how they'd sell any of the damned things to anyone if that's their priority system. 

With subsidies and such, they might not have to sell them to stay in business. lol.

[DumbAss Tanker]

With subsidies and such, they might not have to sell them to stay in business. lol.

Maybe they can stash them away to issue out to the next large batch of FEMA evacuees, since the Government will end up owning the damned things anyway.

[Eupher]

Having been born and raised in the Detroit area, I wouldn't buy ANY domestic car - Gubmint Motors, Chrysler, or Ford.

I applaud Ford for  sticking it to Lord Zero, but I have zero confidence in the wrecks that they build.

[BadCat]

You guys remember the old ads that said "Look for the union label"?

I do.

And if it has one, I don't buy it.