DBR96A, on Apr 16 2009, 01:36 PM, said:
From what I've heard, if Chrysler dies, then a bunch of parts suppliers will go bankrupt, which will freeze supplies to all other major automakers, forcing them to bleed even more cash, and putting them in danger of bankruptcy as well. Unemployment in the Midwest would skyrocket as a result, and the economy would take years to recover -- if ever at all. Maybe this is exaggerated somewhat, but I'm just curious what would happen to the economy once everybody gets what they wish for (read: the end of Chrysler).
First, I don't want Chrysler to go away. But, I do see a different spin on GM/Chrysler going away.
I'll use GM as an example:
If GM goes away, that would immediately open up 2+ million units of sales per year. Depending on who you believe, something like 40% of GM's sales are fleet/rental. That's 800k units a year that will likely go directly to Ford/Chrysler because fleets tend to buy American and love the discounts. That's 3 assembly plants worth of vehicles immediately.
The remaining 1.2million GM units gets split among the market... if Ford/Chrysler maintain their ~25% share, that's another 300k (1-2 more assembly plants). So Chrysler/Ford could actually keep 4-5 assembly plants up and running and maybe even hire a few GM workers to fill them.
It would certainly be hard on dealerships. But, it seems like if one goes down, it gives the other 2 a chance to survive. That's why Chrysler needs to make their deal happen. And quick.