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Who will sit in the Car Czar’s chair?
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Democratic lawmakers and the White House are finalizing a $15 billion bailout for the crumbling U.S. auto industry. One of the key elements will likely be the naming of a federal official to lord over the industry. The job won’t be an easy one. Reuters points out the “Car Czar” will have to deal with angry creditors, fearful suppliers and an entrenched auto union. Then there’s the job of motivating CEOs who will be making a whopping $1 a year (yes, $1 – that’s not a typo).
“It requires someone who knows how to lead and someone who knows how to listen,” said Harley Shaiken, a labor law professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
Shaiken suggested former Congressman David Bonior, who also managed the presidential campaign of John Edwards. Other names being floated include Jack Welch, the former CEO of General Electric. How about Warren Buffett? He’s made oodles of money and seems like a fun guy. Or John McCain – sure he’s still a senator but he did come “this” close to being president and maybe he’d bring Sarah Palin in to handle the day-to-day details. That would certainly be good for Tina Fey and Saturday Night Live.
But what do you think? Who should get the job and why?
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The best person for the job is Mitt Romney period!!
Agreed, it should be Mitt Romney , not some progressive liberal hack who couldn’t run a lemonade stand.
I write only half-jokingly: Dr. Jack Kevorkian.
99% of the top ranking people have the same traits, then why waste time in picking up the better among the worse. Put anyone or ask the auto workers\dealers\suppliers to vote for the Car Czar among a list of candidates.
I agree that Mitt Romney has great credentials for the job. But I doubt that he would want it. He still wants to be president himself, and the job has far too many downsides for a politician. Plus, he’s already come out and said they should go through bankruptcy. That leaves me thinking Jack Welch might be an acceptable choice. Though honestly, who in their right mind would want to take command of a sinking ship? Congress, so called ‘globalists’, and unionists have all had a hand in creating an uneven playing field that hamstrings U.S. based auto makers. Add in the short sighted stupidity and greed of the automakers and their shareholders, and it is altogether a very unsavory mess. Still, in today’s economy, we can’t afford to see another 1.5 to 3 million unemployed Americans. One last thought: Congress and other critics seem to be gleefully unaware that ALL automakers, worldwide, are experiencing significant downturns in their sales fortunes. Toyota and Honda actually saw a bigger drop in their sales than Ford recently! But to Republicans in Congress, it is only Detroit who seems ‘unviable’.
It should be a car guy – not a politician. I can think of a number of editors working at Automobile, AutoWeek, Car and Driver, Motor Trend, and Road & Track who could fill the bill.
Mitt Romney
Lee Iacocca
It should definitely be a communist who favors a planned, top-down economy instead of a free market. Anyone else would crumble under the burden of trying to revitalize an industry centered on selling sub par cars, manufactured by welfare-labor, managed by inept yes-men. Detroit needs leadership that will unswervingly advocate for a massive redistribution of wealth in order to prop up failed enterprise. The term ‘Car Czar’ is inappropriate and should be replaced with ‘Auto-crat’.
Actually, a two man task, run by Lee Ioccoca and Carlos Gohsn. For those lot literate in the industry, Gohsn is the COB of Renault/Nissan and has done excellent work.
Mitt Romney would be a good selection, but I cannot imagine he’d want it as it might interfere with his own presidential dreams.
I think that the best choice would be Jack Welch. Did a great job with GE, tons of experience dealing out tough love to his companies.
Who should fill the seat for car czar.With the way this country is going.I think PeeWee Herman would be the best choice. How more crazy can we get.
Lee Iacocca isn’t a bad choice. I would’ve liked to see Yutaka Katayama hold the reigns, but he’s staring at the century mark in birthdays. Some celebrity gearheads stand out as possible good choices, but I doubt Jay Leno would want to enter politics, and both Jeremy Clarkson and James May are having way too much fun working for the BBC to come over and help out the US car industry. I debating how wise of a choice Ralph Nader would be.
To use the word Czar sounds like we live in Russia. Doesn’t anyone understand that the words used are as important at the concept they are trying to communicate. Don’t refer to the job as a Czar!!!!
Jim Press President of Chrysler
He is an american Executive with knowledge on how to run a successful Automobile manufacturing Company. He has 37 years of experience with Toyota.
MITT ROMNEY! Assuming he’ll accept.
It’s my first time to speak here.I do think Mitt Romney will be the best choice.
hire one of toyota’s top people – someone who might have a clue.
It’s Mitt hands down – and if he fixes it he has a shot in 2012 or 16 – risky but it’s the type he can win.
Whoever does get the Car Czar Position, I would hope will have the Guts and Backbone to question the EPA-OBD II Annual Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law.This Law mandates that all Gasoline Powered Vehicles in the USA, from 1996 to the present, must operate at 14.7 parts of Air to 1 part of Fuel.Any change whatsoever, even if Emissions are lowered, and Fuel Economy is improved, will result in a failed Vehicle Emissions Inspection.It is entirely possible to safely convert Gasoline into a clear dry Vapor that is 100 parts of Air to 1 part of Fuel.With Vaporized Fuel, even the largest SUV could easily get 50 + MPG, and emit 10 X less Emissions than a 14.7 / 1 Fuel System.Also, with much more Power, and longer Engine Life.I’m not the first to realize this.Far from it !Just do a Search on [the late] Tom Ogle.he was offered $25 Million to keep his Fuel Vaporizer off the Market, refused it, and died of “A Mysterious Death” soon after, and was totally Discredited, as was Charles Nelson Pogue.Also, go to http://energy21.freeservers.com/bookrep. html and read through at least the First Page.When a Vehicle is connected to an OBD II Emissions Analyzer for it’s Annual Emissions Inspection, it’s On Board Oxygen [O2] Exhaust Sensors must detect 14.7 / 1.If the Fuel Mixture is too Rich, and a Vehicle is emitting too much Polluting Exhaust Emissions, it will fail it’s Emissions Test, as well it should.But, with Vaporized Gasoline, a Vehicle will fail it’s Emissions Inspection for not putting out enough Polluting Exhaust Emissions !O2 Sensor Exemptions are allowed for vehicles that have been legally converted to operate on Natural Gas, Propane, or Hydrogen, and are Registered as such.If I could somehow Submit a Photo, I can prove that, on a Molecular Level, there really is no difference between Gasoline, Butane, Propane, or Natural Gas.Only the Dispersal, and, more importantly, the Marketing ! And that’s what the Suppression of Vapor Fuel Technology is really all about.Even if Vapor Fuel Technology is not to be believed, the Fact remains that it is illegal to even attempt to utilize on any Gasoline Powered Vehicle in the USA that’s 13 Years Old, or newer ! And this insane Law that only benefits Big Oil, and Vehicle Manufacturers, was passed during the Clinton Administration, with Al Gore’s enthusiastic support ! Go Figure !My Question is this ; Will the New Car Czar, or anyone in the Obama Administration dare to question this EPA-OBD II 14.7 / 1 Law ?
Jack Welch is my vote……..he knows the general business climate better than anyone.