Let's Play Car Czar

As the new "car Tzar" I'd consider it vitally important that the level of renumeration matched the position. After all, I'd have zero credibility if I was only on, say 50 mill/year.

Next I'd see what Honda, Toyota etc are doing.

First, I would require that all wheels have the same lug nut configuration, so that we could swap wheels from car to car. I put 7x13 Corvair wheels on our Datsun 510 pro rally car back in '72 and 9x17 Mustang Cobra wheels on my 90 Eclipse GSX race car last year, but finding our what fits what is a PITA.

Next, I would require that NASCAR "stockers" be actual production cars, not the Car of Tomorrow (all the same).

All seriousness aside, in answer to your question:

First, I would require that the current Board of Directors at each company be fired and replaced with new members that represent the union, plant engineering, marketing, customers, sales and finance. This is no loss, considering the current boards of directors are non-directors, paid way too much, and just rubber stamp the CEO.

Second, all executive compensation shall henceforth be based on company performance. The shareholders must approve the executive compensation plan (this will give management an incentive to perform).

Third, adopt a national health insurance plan, so that US car companies don't have a $2000 per car penalty because of health insurance.

Fourth, put all car companies into involuntary bankruptcy so that a federal judge can rewrite union contracts, dispose of corporate jets, eliminate golden parachutes, etc.

If I were the car czar, I would be done by noon of the first day.

First order of business: Withdraw all government entanglements, such as CAFE standards, union shelters, etc.

Second: Tear up any bailout checks or promises of taxpayer support.

Third: Resign.

I might make it a week looking for tech that would produce long lasting cars that didn't cost more but broke down less. But when I started to produce cars that are easy to work on and put money into R&D then put the union notice of REICO charges well it would be the boot or bullet for me.

All of the above.

1. Do not give the loans to them, or After they die, we can start rebuilding

2. The companies would undergo a major restructuring, that would make the companies "Employee Owned". Eliminate the unions as a result. Also, make all overtime dollars 100% non-taxed.

3. Make investment money available to any and all transportation related organizations, but only require simple interest repayment. This will help the infrastructure develop in a manner concurrent with the regrowth of the head, and also sponsor new technology companies to participate in the greening of the auto industry.

4. Give tax breaks for money invested in the auto industry by private citizens.

5. Get the auto industry off the government financing teat.

6. Spend government 35 billion on free university education for 100 million americans. This will launch the economy like absolutely nothing else ever will!!!! If there is anything left over, use it to foster and grant spin-off technology manufacturing companies. (employee owned of course.)

7. Give tax breaks to employee owned businesses, instead of the super-corporations who only want to send their capacities offshore, to make a buck for the few.

Carpe Diem, Carpe Initiative! (lol sorry bad latin)

Chris

also for interests sake, there was a great thread back in 2006 by MillMatt that I participated in.

(before the days of the GA)

http://cr4.globalspec.com/blogentry/385/Automotive-Opportunities

my stuff.
http://cr4.globalspec.com/comment/12504/Re-Automotive-Opportunities
http://cr4.globalspec.com/comment/12199/Re-Automotive-Opportunities
http://cr4.globalspec.com/comment/12698/Re-Automotive-Opportunities

chris