Dust-Up: Bailing out the Big Three

December 5, 2008

Dust-Up

Bail out car buyers?

Today's topic: What's the point in retooling Detroit when so few consumers are buying cars? Wouldn't it be better to subsidize new car purchases than to send money directly to the Big Three? Previously, Ikenson and Burtless discussed high labor costs for U.S. automakers, the Big Three's restructuring plans and whether any domestic car manufacturers should be allowed to slip into bankruptcy.

December 4, 2008

Dust-Up

Is Big Labor killing the Big Three?

Today's question: U.S. automakers say the high cost of labor here gives overseas companies an unfair advantage. How much of a problem is Big Labor for Detroit? How much of an advantage -- if at all -- do Honda, Toyota and others have over U.S. companies? Previously, Burtless and Ikenson discussed the automakers’ restructuring plans and whether U.S. car manufacturers should be allowed to slip into bankruptcy.

December 3, 2008

Dust-Up

Big Three ask for money -- again

Today's question: In their business plans submitted to lawmakers on Tuesday, did the Big Three executives ask Congress for the right things? What kind of "strings" should be attached to any financial deal for Detroit? Previously, Ikenson and Burtless debated letting U.S. automakers slip into bankruptcy.

12:10 PM PST, December 2, 2008

Dust-Up

America without its automakers

Today's question: What's wrong with letting U.S. automakers fail? Later in the week, Gary Burtless and Daniel J. Ikenson will debate labor costs for domestic car manufacturers, subsidies for vehicle buyers and more.