Government Motors has got problems again...

[Ricter]

But, as interesting as pucrum's now not-so-secret sexual preferences might be, let's get back on topic...

US New Auto Inventories Highest Since '09; GM, Volkswagen Top List; Kia, Hyundai Up Most; Toyota Stock At 'Healthiest' Level
By Angelo Young
on February 13 2014 10:41 AM

"Automakers tend to begin a year flush with inventory as cold weather and post-holiday doldrums keep many buyers away from dealer lots. But this past January inventories jumped by double-digit percentages for all of the top eight automakers, except Nissan, with the result that new-car customers are finding bargains.

"Overall, inventories are higher now than they have been since August 2009, prior to the 18-month U.S. recession that kicked off in December of that year and sent the industry reeling. Right now it’s easy to blame the weather for unhealthy inventory levels that can lead to production cutbacks and slimmer profit margins for automakers and dealers. That won't be the case with the arrival of spring.

"Combined, the number of days it would take for the Big 8 automakers to sell out of current stock stands at about 94. On average, a level above 60 days is considered too high. Four of the eight manufacturers -- Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen -- entered February with inventory levels above 100 days’ supply.

"The average percentage growth for these manufacturers stands at 19 percent from last year, according to WardsAuto, with all but Toyota and the South Korean sibling companies Kia and Hyundai at levels below 80 days.

<img src="http://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/v2_article_large/public/2014/02/13/auto-inventories-final.jpg">
All of the major auto manufacturers had higher inventories in January compared to the same month last year. The average increase for the Big 8 automakers is 19 percent. NOTE: The Hyundai and Kia inventory level is a combined average. IBTimes

"The question is how much of this increase is due to the winter storms that battered large parts of the United States and how much of this growth is attributed to a possible slowdown in demand.

“Inventory levels always rise in January, though the cold weather last month clearly exaggerated the effect,” Karl Brauer, senior analyst at automotive information and pricing provider Kelley Blue Book, said. “It’s too early to know if this represents a larger, fundamental issue or a short term bubble that will work itself out naturally.”

More>>

 

[Tsing Tao]

Only to pro gay proponents like you, rectum.

.

 

[Tsing Tao]

US New Auto Inventories Highest Since '09; GM, Volkswagen Top List; Kia, Hyundai Up Most; Toyota Stock At 'Healthiest' Level
By Angelo Young
on February 13 2014 10:41 AM

That was actually a good article, with a balanced take on the weather, a possible demand slump and inventory commentary. I'm rather surprised you posted it.

 

[Ricter]

That was actually a good article, with a balanced take on the weather, a possible demand slump and inventory commentary. I'm rather surprised you posted it.

Nod. And I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the Fed. : )

 

[Tsing Tao]

Nod. And I'm surprised you haven't mentioned the Fed. : )

Why would I mention the Fed? They don't have anything to do with GM's recall and financial difficulties coming down the pipe.

 

[nazzdack]

----GM was the leading company....
----sold more cars than any other company....
----Rust Belt was the industrial heartland of the country....
----producing vast wealth....
----unveiling of GM's new models each year was a huge event....

1) That all occurred long before you were of "driving age". :eek:
2) That was an uncompetitive era when the rest of the world had no industrial capacity after WW-2 and Henry Ford was a "control freak douchebag".

 

[DHOHHI]

1) That all occurred long before you were of "driving age". :eek:
2) That was an uncompetitive era when the rest of the world had no industrial capacity after WW-2 and Henry Ford was a "control freak douchebag".

Disagree. The Big 3 dominated well into the late 70's. Before I went to work at GM I bought a '78 Toyota Corolla (which was a step above the tin cans they had been making). It was an OK car but at that time Toyota and the other foreign car makers were trying to make a push to grow market share in the US. They eventually did when the Big 3 got more sloppy (thanks to UAW). Then Deming became big in Quality and that's where GM, Ford & Chrysler started to have issues and Toyota became more accepted here (as well as Nissan etc.).

Last, what does Henry Ford have to do with GM (point #2 above)? Henry Ford was dead by 1947.

 

[AAAintheBeltway]

1) That all occurred long before you were of "driving age". :eek:
2) That was an uncompetitive era when the rest of the world had no industrial capacity after WW-2 and Henry Ford was a "control freak douchebag".

All true.

For me, the interesting question is could GM have done anything differently and avoided its long slide?

 

[LEAPup]

All true.

For me, the interesting question is could GM have done anything differently and avoided its long slide?

That's a rhetorical question.

 

[nazzdack]

----what does Henry Ford have to do with GM (point #2 above)?

Ford relied on too few models for too long. GM's ability to offer a variety of nameplates, models and colors, whether out of good business sense or dumb luck, at that time, would allow it to surpass Ford after "The War" and beyond.