If the Automakers were to be nationalized...

What would our cars look like? Would they be high tech and efficient like President Obama is pushing for? Or would they look like what American Cars were in the 70's? (shudder).

Well since with the new talk of what to do with the Automakers I found a lovely Top Gear video that shows what kind of cars came out of Russia and Post War Socialist Britain, where the Unions controlled the Automakers basically.

After seeing this, is it really in our best interest for our government to take over our Automakers? (I think not).

Commie Cars:
(mods feel free to move this wherever it belongs, thanks)

I don't know what they would look like.

But they would cost about 100% more because the unions would go on strike once the government took over.
Plus the cars would have to be redesigned completely to meet all of the environmental rules that the environmentalist want.

Then you would find that every few years the rules would change and they would have to start all over again.

Just look at the cost over runs on military equipment.
If the government makes the rules every body will try to take advantage to get there bite of the money.

In the long run they will make rules so that you have to buy there cars or do without.

I think threads like this can really bring up the issue of how monsterously bad it would be to let the government nationalize everything. Sure things need to be regulated, bit it seems like this whole collapse could have been an excuse for over regulating.

If you think big business screws us in the end wait until the government has control of everything.

Originally posted by ANNED
Plus the cars would have to be redesigned completely to meet all of the environmental rules that the environmentalist want.

Then you would find that every few years the rules would change and they would have to start all over again.

Just look at the cost over runs on military equipment.
If the government makes the rules every body will try to take advantage to get there bite of the money.

I don't think that's going to be bad. A civilian car isn't an F-22 or a humvee, so no need to worry on that. They got no excuse for 'over-engineering' it.

I wouldn't mind driving a 100 mpg car as long as it can go over 100 mph and only takes a second to start. Being environment friendly isn't bad and improvement in efficiency is usually a sign of technological progress... You can be sure and proud of that

Although I would worry if they would rig it too much that they can literally remotely control your vehicle anywhere..

[edit on 31-3-2009 by ahnggk]

reply to post by ahnggk


But the point of the videos was to show that you wouldn't be getting a better car. I mean the Russians replacing disc brakes with drums made out of aluminum? Thats the worst possible thing in the world. 100 MPG would be great, but I want a car that can go and stop! Not to mention maneuver.
Then look at the part about Union controlled British cars, they said they spent more time striking then actually building cars.

There's a reason the American Cars were so bad in the 70's its because of smog & economy controls required by Government plus the Unions completely running the companies. They didn't start getting better until the late 80's and early 90's, even then they couldn't stand up to the Japanese quality & fuel economy.
Nationalization= lack in quality of cars.

reply to post by asmall89


If auto makers were nationalized, I'd still buy a from another country, if I were able to do so, because in my opinion, the US auto makers have been in bed with oil companies for years, to not produce energy efficient autos.

Screw them, and I do feel sorry for the workers, but not being able to compete is what caused these companies to crash, but the workers knew they were building dinasaurs and chose not to complaing while collecting a paycheck. They should have held strikes, long ago, to be able to compete in the global market for auto's.

Complacany breeds contempt!

Oh I agree foreign would definitely be a wiser choice. It's funny the only American Automaker that isn't in the crapper is the one that was wiser with its money, not that Ford didn't build some whoppers, they definitely did. If one would buy American, Ford would be the best.

But actually Toyota's quality has been lacking lately too. I have a 1997 Corolla with 250k miles on it and everything interior wise is fine and exterior. We have a 1999 Camry with 200k on it and the interior is falling apart and the paints chipping off. Both are mostly highway miles, so foreign cars do build some clunkers too.

It's a lack of integrity and innovation that builds clunkers. The designers and the top Automaker people were definitely to blame as much if not more than the worker. But the Autoworkers have it pretty good what do they make 20$ an hour or something rediculous like that? I wish I could just get 10$ an hour! In the 70's people would find soda cans in their cars and what not from the workers. I'm not against Unions I just think they shouldn't have complete control over the companies, and the workers should at least have some integrity in what they do maybe then they might get a better paycheck.

reply to post by asmall89


$10.00, and hour, my love.............LOL........when I got divorced in 1986, by brother told me I was insane, and at that time, he claimed I needed to make $20.00 and hour for myself, just to survive!

I have to agree with him, because I lived it, taking care of children on my own, with just over what would be considered a poverty line, for my family size.

Unfortunately, I think, to our advantage, it is wise to let this auto maker fail, or file for bankruptcy, like anybody who cannot pay their debts would do so.

Nobody bailed me out, as a tax payer when I was going thoug a rough time, (I actually mean brutal) Why should we bail them out.

It isnn't our fault the behemouth auto industry has not provided it's buyes with what they need in a car, or truck, or whatever!

edit for typos


[edit on 31-3-2009 by Blanca Rose]

reply to post by Blanca Rose


You make a good point, it would be sad to see them go because they're a part of our countries history, but what do you expect with not being able to compete? I'm sure another automaker will rise and take their place. They do the crime they pay the time.

nationalized doesnt mean what people think it means. the steel industry was nationalized a long time ago to save that and no one really even knows it, muich less is able to tell a difference.

reply to post by nixie_nox


Exactly, you are so right is not funny, the Auto industry is already nationalized, you do not have the President of the nation telling a private company CEO to resign if you do not hold the power to do so.

Sorry people by you are too late on the news.

I have a feeling as soon as the car companies get back on their feet, They would be sold back to the private sector for some silly amount like a dollar !

reply to post by nixie_nox


What steel industry? I think there was a whole dispute in the later 20th century where the steel workers were losing their jobs due to outsourcing or some silly thing like that. Nationalization=Government Takeover.
There was a steel plant in Colorado Springs or Pueblo I can't remember, that hasn't been the same since the 70's. It's not producing nearly as much as it used too. I'm not even sure if it is producing anything. Whatever happened to the steel industry back then killed it.

Oh I know the Automakers are basically Nationalized, I'm just saying what would our cars look like if beurocrats actually started making decisions about making them. What the heck does Washington know about making cars?

For some reason, a picture of a YUGO comes to mind.

That would be the kind of car I would see from a nationalized auto industry.

reply to post by jam321


Oh man God help us all if that is what we have to look forward to. I think I'd just move to Japan or Germany if we started seeing that, except ours would probably look more like the pinto probably.

The steele industry used to be big, just south of Chicago, in Indiana.

I was always told it was bad area, and not to venture there, being a North Shore brat of Chicago (John Hughes filmed movies in my neighborhood]These People have right, in saying no!

Sad thing is, how many of them can afford a day off from work, to protest?


We are talking, Gary, INDIANA!~


[edit on 31-3-2009 by Blanca Rose]

Originally posted by asmall89
If the Automakers were to be nationalized...

It would be yet another ATLAS SHRUGGED moment to check off on our list of things done to purposely bring the total destruction of our economy.

Well I just realized that the videos I posted are in Russian!
Sorry about that, I automatically assumed coming from youtube they should be in English, now I feel like a complete idiot.

Here's the show in English.

videos.streetfire.net...

That video was hilarious.

I think the good old USA will look a lot like Cuba if the government takes over the auto industry. You will see quite a few older, more reliable cars on the road and maintained to perfection than you'll see newer clunkers that the government produces.

Originally posted by mrwupy
That video was hilarious.

I think the good old USA will look a lot like Cuba if the government takes over the auto industry. You will see quite a few older, more reliable cars on the road and maintained to perfection than you'll see newer clunkers that the government produces.

Quite right, Wup, we have been lookin for a used one..............LOL. SOME want more than for an orirignal....check, craigslist`