Jim,
According to the site internetautoguide.com I counted 47 auto brands
with 344 models available in the US, plus literally thousands of
varieties when you add options.
There will, no doubt, be a reduction in that number as it is, obviously,
not sustainable, but there is - and will be - a vehicle for everyone's
needs be they big, small, urban, rural, red or blue.
I doubt a Chrysler/Fiat will be in my garage any time soon, but when I
need a new car or truck I will have more options than just about any
place else on the planet.
As far as your feeling like a second class American, stop listening to
talk radio. No one thinks that.
Lee
Jim Johnson wrote:
> "Most drivers live in areas where a small car makes sense?" I don't
> know what the figures are, but does that mean that those of us who need
> larger vehicles are just $hit out of luck? If so, good luck buying
> groceries in the city when the farms go under.
>
> Once again, its like America doesn't exists outside of the "Welcome to
> the City" signs.
>
> Sure Fiat as a company has diversified interests. Any successful
> international company does that. And I'm not saying we all own Hummers
> out here. Those vehicles are as ridiculous out here as they are in NY-NY.
>
> We will have to see how this plays out. I have doubts based on both my
> experiences with Fiats and on my experience as a rural resident in this
> country. Both are sour experiences. One as second class car, the other
> as supposed second class American.
>
> What upsets me most is the tenor of the news from the Whitehouse and
> Washington that somehow Fiat is going to bring some great, new
> enlightenment to Chrysler. That's just BS.
>
> Our auto industry may have been struggling in this country but what
> really killed it was not production of vehicles that nobody wanted. It
> was the double whammy of $4 a gallon fuel and the credit crunch. At $4 a
> gallon people who could started buying small, fuel effecient cars while
> those of us who NEEDED the trucks just had to suffer. Then, when the
> banks stopped lending, people couldn't buy any cars so an already
> precariously perched industry took a huge wack.
>
> Chrysler was in the worst financial condition so they were the first to
> go. Notice that Ford is in the best shape of all.... Why? Guess
> what... Because of their _pick-up truck sales!_ At least that's what
> the WSJ says and I think they are right.
>
> So all this crowing about small, fuel effecient cars thanks to Fiat's
> guidance just rubs me the wrong way. It may be true in urban America but
> it is far from true in the heartland. And we happen to feed ya'll.
>
> Cheers!!
> Jim
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