One: The real roots of the auto crisis.
Listening to Fox News’ Greta Van Susteren talk about auto woes last week left David Cole grinding his teeth. So, too, about a dozen other national reporters and anchors who have called the usually mild-mannered expert in recent weeks for his wisdom on the trials and tribulations of the Detroit Three and broader auto industry.
Cole, a scientist and engineer by training, is chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, MI. He has been seen on nearly every national TV news program explaining the challenges and perils of the troubled automotive industry. He says the local media is well-informed as are some at the national level who are assigned to cover autos. “It’s when you get to the general national media that things fall apart.”
Cole said, “This entire conversation is about the industrial future of our country. The auto crisis is not a result of a management problem, but is attributable to the massive collapse of financial markets.
And not having a true national energy policy.
And that most automakers around the world have received aid from their governments.
America is the only one that has not supported its manufacturers — that is, until recently.
Cole added that it isn’t only some journalists who don’t get it.
“Too many people are listening to what these experts and pundits are saying, and it isn’t only hurting Detroit, but the nation,” he said. –snip–
“Of all the industrialized countries in the world, we are the only country that does not understand the role manufacturing plays in our economy,” Cole said. “It is so important in our economy … and it is right on the edge of a cliff.”
He added: “If GM doesn’t make it through this bankruptcy in a surgical way, this will be a catastrophe for Detroit and the nation.”
So now that our government is supporting US autos, how’s that going?