| I cannot imagine that executives of certain car | | | | will be requested and approved by Congress and |
| companies, such as Chrysler, will like what I have | | | | the president. |
| to say about them in this article. After all, when | | | | Is my car company looking at other business |
| you're struggling for your very survival, having | | | | options? One way that automakers plan on |
| someone tell you to look elsewhere for a new | | | | remaining around for the long haul is to reorganize |
| car isn't exactly supportive. Then again, far be it | | | | their operations. General Motors will be getting rid |
| from me to tell anyone what to do! | | | | of two brands - Saab and Hummer - while scaling |
| It is difficult not to single out a particular car | | | | back on Pontiac and, perhaps, Saturn. The |
| company as only a handful are in precarious | | | | company is still closing factories and laying off |
| shape, possibly facing bankruptcy followed by | | | | workers to align production with demand, a good |
| liquidation. That bit of news doesn't bode well for | | | | cost saving move that could help. Chrysler is |
| buyers who could be stuck with a car that is no | | | | teeming up with Nissan to build a few models and |
| longer made, no longer supported, and may no | | | | recently announced a deal with Fiat which could |
| longer have a warranty. That thirty thousand | | | | bring several new models stateside as early as |
| dollar investment could suddenly be worthless, a | | | | next year. |
| loss that few consumers can afford to handle. | | | | Will my warranty be protected? Even if Chrysler |
| If you are looking to buy a new car this year and | | | | or General Motors were to fail, most analysts |
| are considering a model from an automaker going | | | | believe that Congress would step in to at least |
| through severe financial difficulties, you may not | | | | guarantee warranties. This means that car values |
| be completely vulnerable. But, you need to do | | | | would stabilize and dealers would be able to clear |
| some research (including keeping your eyes and | | | | their lots of inventory before shutting down. |
| ears open to the news) to see what the future | | | | Owning a brand that is no longer produced may |
| holds for that company. Some questions to ask | | | | not sound appealing, but given the good buys sure |
| yourself include: | | | | to follow, it could be an attractive option for |
| Is my car company insolvent? If so, will federal | | | | some people. |
| funds bail the company out and for how long? | | | | In all, these are difficult days for car |
| Both General Motors and Chrysler are going | | | | manufacturers as well as for consumers. If you |
| through an incredibly stressful financial time, but | | | | are risk adverse, then you'll take your hard |
| both have received some financial assistance | | | | earned dollars elsewhere. If not, an excellent buy |
| from taxpayers in the form of low cost loans. | | | | awaits you as does much caution when making |
| The key for each company is whether those | | | | your purchase decision. |
| funds will be enough or whether additional funds | | | | |