Originally Posted by Rans

What are you talking about with this "government pro unions" thing? What does that even mean? The issues at GM really had more to do with the amount they were paying out in Pensions. Look, it's easy to say Government regulations caused the problems, thats the cheap way out. GM continually refused to answer the call when it came to changing their business model as the industry changed. In the 1970s, after the oil embargos (are you old enough to know about that?), there was an opportunity for GM to begin to change their design and manufacturing. But they didn't. Chrysler almost went under and then they hired Lee Iacocco and he changed their business model and brought them around (I know he cut alot of corners to keep them afloat that came back to haunt them...can you say K-car?). But while Japan was retooling, redesigning, pooring money into R&D, and building quality products selling at a higher price than the comparible models from GM, GM continued turning out crap, plastic, fall apart, crap cars. Think Chevy Vega. The GM model was "Planned Obsolesence". Then the Government mandated CAFE rules and GM whined and complained about them while Japan met the requirements and continued selling and making profit. By the way, Japanese wages were comparable to GM in the 70's, and they had overseas shipping costs too!!

So stop blaming Government and start realizing that GM shot itself in the foot and has no one to blame but itself. Bad decisions based on bad decisions, based on bad decisions.

Sorry for the history lesson. Didn't mean for this to be political, was more trying to make a point about the industry, which Nissan is a part of. So this is related to the 'Z'. But I'm done anyway.