Comments on: What About a "Manhattan Project" for Detroit?

By: DS

DS — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:53:41 +0000

How about a “Manhattan Project” to conquer Stupidity. That's the real problem in America.

By: Alan Browne

Alan Browne — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:36:23 +0000

The big three have a bloated brand system and they should reduce to two each. (Ordinary and luxury).

They need to ambitiously embrace energy efficiency as their grail for success.

Recent times have proven that they have no friends in big oil. Big oil's big profits are not being called upon to help the big three? And yet a quarter worth of profit for Exxon alone is more than the bailout packages being discussed. At the same time the big 3 have laid off legions and been forced to draw down their cash to alarming levels. (A blessing I suppose that they had the cash to draw on).

For that reason, big 3 should be doing everything possible to make cars that are not so dependent on oil energy. Reduce consumption by reducing vehicle weight and power. This has a cascading effect on energy consumption.

A "Manhattan Project" for the big 3? Why not. But then let's have a Manhattan project for the financial markets as well which systematically contrive to create unregulated markets which historically have always been proven unstable until regulated, resulting misery for the many and obscene profits for the few.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 18:13:31 +0000

The fact that he mentions "solar cells" on a car is proof that he is not a credible commentator. They provide far too little energy to be a meaningful contributor. An inane statement.

By: Heather Kennedy

Heather Kennedy — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:41:21 +0000

Why not? Because it would be an ideas project. What does it say on the side of the iPhone 3G box sitting on my desk? Designed here, made in China? I'm not so sure that's something Detroit could get behind. Even if it's designed in Detroit, made in Silicon Valley.

That's just one thing I can find wrong with this idea. A good idea, but falling way, way short of fixing the problem.

By: jason@tinyComb.com

jason@tinyComb.com — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:22:05 +0000

Detroit hasn't gotten it right and they never will. They are bad at designing and building cars, they are better at making heavy duty artillery for the military. Get them off of making cars, let that be outsourced. Put their people on making lightrails, cutting down on not just commuter cars, but big trucks, and 'Change' america. Building new electric cars doesn't mean anyone can afford nor will buy them. Especially when then gas companies will keep the prices low so everyone forgets about the gas crisis.

Think about what we will get with the big 3 auto companies if they get the money for building green cars. Once released, will you go buy a tiny electric ford vehicle for 15k? I know I won't. It's a dead brand with a lifeless management and even if they do get the money, they are still planning on laying off over 10% of the staff. What good does that do?

By: adb

adb — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:25:44 +0000

Why not a “Detroit Project”? One (hyphenated) word for you: anti-trust. Yes, the same misguided government without an energy policy that let’s oil companies get away with screwing the American public while raking in barrels of cash also prevents the US automakers from working together in the way you describe. The Japanese government, on the other hand, has been encouraging that kind of collaboration for a long time. Yes, I think a “Detroit Project” makes sense, but there would have to be significant modifications to existing legislation to get it done. As an example, actions to create a joint purchasing system that would actually save were greeted with anti-trust concerns (http://econ.tepper.cmu.edu/ecommerce/Detroit.html)