Ok, let's return from La-La Land. National Defense is a necessary governmental service to protect its citizens, the same as law enforcement, fire, etc. I don't exactly equate that to the "need" to provide people with Brand 'X' vehicles.

 

First, the military is one of the few responsibilities delegated to the government in the Constitution.

Second, nationalization of industry was an idea born of the progressive era when everyone thought centralized planning would be better than a free market. Luckily we abandoned the idea after WWI but then accepted it in even greater reach during WWII. Unfortunately the idea never went away, especially due to FDR's "New Deal".

Third, I placed in bold letters your (and those like you) major malfunction. The fact that you feel/think/want/demand that we all work together is written no where in the Constitution of the Unites States. In fact forcing me or others through legislation to do what you feel like is best (regardless if it is best or not) is not only Constitutionally with out basis but borderline a violation of 13th Amendment, Section 1.

 

True, true and true. And to add to it. Don't tread on me.

 

What I think is great is that it's only gonna cost $1,300 to increase fuel economy roughly 50%!!! I'm going to be searching the internet for that $1,300 device that will bump my G8 gas mileage to 36 mpg.

 

"de-tune " the hell out of the camaro, put in a small *** cam, and change gearing...reach mileage goals...sell it.

Then GMPP offers the better tune, and a bigger(like current stock) cam, and still under warranty.

Just because CAFE standards are going to be in place, doesn't mean the aftermarket is going away thank god.

 

I think you're being optimistic. First, I see strong Statist tendancies in our current government. Nationalizing the auto industry furthers those goals. Just look at the banks trying to pay back TARP funds - the government is refusing to accept payment, preferring to maintain political control of these banks instead.
Secondly, who exactly will want to invest in a government controlled auto industry? The government has already demonstrated that it is willing to usurp law and give secured creditors and bondholders the shaft, and protect unsecured creditors which they deem political supporters.

Oh, I'm predicting that plenty of seats will be swapped at the midterm elections.

 

First off for everyone, there is no free market. There are free market forces, but no free market. The Government and/or the Federal Reserve control everything either directly or indirectly. It has been decided since the 80's (or sooner) that manufacturing was not a preferred industry unlike the preferred, financial services.

There is a big push to move US manufacturer to China though currency manipulation. China's is artificially low, ours is artificially high. Japan also has done things to keep theirs low.

The Government chose to get rid of manufacturing and now they want to save some of it. Even China has stricter mileage laws than the USA, do you want Asia and Europe in charge of what we can and can't buy?

You can either work with your fellow Americans or against them. If we go to war with China and your helping to supply them with American technology and working to destroy American means of manufacturing you fellow citizens are not going to look to kindly on it. Some of us have more national pride than others, but everyone should want a better country to live in. Doesn't say you should be a good citizen/person in the Constitution because they shouldn't have to tell you that.

One reason I'm liking the 2011 3.5L Twin Turbo Ecoboost Mustang.

 

Except your not gonna be able to buy a G8...but instead maybe something FWD the size of a Corrolla. It's like the government telling grocery stores that the food they sell has to be twice as healthy. Your not gonna find suddenly healthy HoHo's...your just only gonna be able to buy healthy food.

 

I bet if you put the Equinox's DI 2.4L + 6 speed Combo in a G8 would could get 36mpg+ The Equinox gets 32mpg is a little heavier (not much) and less aero dynamic. I get 33mpg with the cruise set to 65mph in our Aura and that has a 4 speed and 3.5L. Going with the 2.4L would probably save you $1300-$2000 over the V6 and get you 36mpg

Or if you must have the monster torque go with GM's new 2.9L diesel with its 405 lb-ft of torque.

 

Watch out, because GM will probably be "nationalized" in a week or two. Once the auto market recovers, the government will sell GM through a IPO offering, but I can almost guarantee that won't be by next year.

See ConRail for example of how the government has done this successfully.

Keep in mind that "Defense" is an umbrella term which covers such things as protecting the oil shipment lanes in the Persian Gulf. Is there some "socialism" hidden in the multi-gazillion dollar defense budget? You bet.

 

And at the same time I would also get at least a 50% increase in 0-60 time.