Handouts for Car Companies
Rising oil prices and all the rest has led to "our" struggling car manufacturers asking for a handout:
Car-makers who have sought financial help from the federal Government are unlikely to have their pleas granted, Treasurer Peter Costello said today
The manufacturers have asked the Howard Government to freeze tariffs at 10 per cent and pump a further $1 billion into the industry as it struggles to remain viable while consumers are switching to smaller, imported vehicles.
The demands by the four domestic manufacturers - GM Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi - show the industry is concerned about its future as it deals with a strong Australian dollar and high petrol prices.
Am I just overly cynical* when I snidely say "boo bloody hoo" to the car companies? For years Ford and Holden have made fuel guzzling cars. Who born in the last century didn't that realise oil prices would eventually go up?
My parents have bought Japanese cars for many years because they are often cheaper, well-made, and with smaller fuel-efficient engines. Australia has a motoring culture (which Japanese car companies have catered for), and with it comes superfluously large engines. Check out the average engine size in Europe. I can understand larger engines for long road trips, and towing trailers and caravans, but in the city?
I've been told that Holden is basically the only section of General Motors that makes a profit. Something has to give, lads. I say go the Corolla (hat tip to Martini).
*Personally, I prefer the term "realistic".
Car-makers who have sought financial help from the federal Government are unlikely to have their pleas granted, Treasurer Peter Costello said today
The manufacturers have asked the Howard Government to freeze tariffs at 10 per cent and pump a further $1 billion into the industry as it struggles to remain viable while consumers are switching to smaller, imported vehicles.
The demands by the four domestic manufacturers - GM Holden, Ford, Toyota and Mitsubishi - show the industry is concerned about its future as it deals with a strong Australian dollar and high petrol prices.
Am I just overly cynical* when I snidely say "boo bloody hoo" to the car companies? For years Ford and Holden have made fuel guzzling cars. Who born in the last century didn't that realise oil prices would eventually go up?
My parents have bought Japanese cars for many years because they are often cheaper, well-made, and with smaller fuel-efficient engines. Australia has a motoring culture (which Japanese car companies have catered for), and with it comes superfluously large engines. Check out the average engine size in Europe. I can understand larger engines for long road trips, and towing trailers and caravans, but in the city?
I've been told that Holden is basically the only section of General Motors that makes a profit. Something has to give, lads. I say go the Corolla (hat tip to Martini).
*Personally, I prefer the term "realistic".
posted by Engels at 3:36 pm
2 Comments:
I expect better from Toyota and Mistubishi. You d think they'd have their fingers on the pulse in regards to peoples' motoring wants and needs.
You know - this blog may be someplace I may have to stick around a bit, like your insight
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