Posted by Henry, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Mar 28, 2012 at 10:15 pm

BMW has had a R&D operation on Hamilton for years. Daimler-Chrysler has an R&D operation on Page Mill Rd for years. Ford is a "Johnny-come-lately" to the Valley, and to quality automobiles. American cars suck, no matter the ratings. I have driven every brand, and recently, to. European and Japanese cars - and even the Hyundai - are far better rides.

And, if anyone thinks that the American auto industry is "back" - think again! Workers are making $14.50 an hour - a fraction of what they used to, with reduced health care and pension benefits. The auto executives are making serious bucks, thanks to American taxpayers.

BW should buy up the Big 3, and do us all a favor.

Posted by Crescent Park Dad, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Mar 29, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Sure. Ask Daimler-Benz how that Chrysler purchase worked out.

Posted by America-Needs-To-Be-Union-Free, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Mar 29, 2012 at 2:26 pm

> Ask Daimler-Benz how that Chrysler purchase worked out.

Bet Daimler wishes it could have been able to do this deal without the albatross of union labor around its neck?

Posted by Frank, a resident of another community, on Mar 29, 2012 at 7:47 pm

It's a good thing that elitists like Henry don't have anything larger than their iPhone to haul around. The rest of the country does the work for him by utilizing heavy-duty trucks, of which there are no imports, to transport goods to and from markets.

Posted by CrunchyCookie, a resident of the Greenmeadow neighborhood, on Mar 31, 2012 at 11:40 pm
CrunchyCookie is a member (registered user) of Palo Alto Online

Hey now, American cars don't suck as bad as they used to... GM's stopped sucking in 2007, and Ford's around the turn of the century. As for Chrysler, well, cough cough, nevermind.

Financially though, they are very much back. All three have been profitable in the 1-2 years (a half-decade in Ford's case), and with the better products, lower labor costs, and lessened number of excess dealers and retarded redundant brands to drag them down, they look to be safely in the black for years to come.

The fact that the most smart/stable of the Big Three has now joined the Palo Alto party is icing on the cake.