GM and Chrysler owners - are you worried?

[addyguy]

It looks like pretty well a guarantee that both Chrysler and GM will go bankrupt in the near future. Even if they don't go out of business, they will be so small and re-worked they won't even be recognizable.

Assuming complete failure and closure, almost all parts suppliers for these makes will go under with them, or will again scale back there operations to near nothing. Getting even basic parts for these makes will become increasingly difficult.

Anyone worried about being able to keep their GM/Chrysler on the road? Anyone planning on 'doing anything' about it - ie, stockpiling parts in case of shortages?

I feel bad for people who have bought one of theses makes in the last year - if they go under, your car becomes almost worthless. I consider myself lucky - my 2002 Cavalier has 120k miles on it, and is getting pretty beat up. Can't get parts for it? Off to the scapper it goes.

But i am thinking of starting to get some work that I have been putting off done to it 'pre-emptively', and MAYBE stockpiling some smaller parts - wheel bearings, oil and air filters, even brake parts, to keep the car going if all heck breaks loose....

Anyone else thinking along these lines?

 

[Pablo]

The Cuban model works well.

 

[c3po]

If it is a guarantee that GM ( Forget about Chrysler ) is going to go out of business, which may be correct, then it is crazy for the government to give them money.

I now think that people are probably not going to be these cars because they think they may go out of business, even if they do not, I think the end is near.

My Dad always told me that America always comes back, I told him that is in war, these U.S. Automakers have been out of touch for so long.

 

[mpvue]

the question you ask, I'm sure you must realize, is neither new nor unique. every time something like this happens people start flipping out about parts availability. it's like when a snowstorm is coming, everybody flips out buying milk and bread.
you can be assured that there won't be any aftermarket suppliers going under. they don't depend on OEM to survivie. they make repair parts that will continue to be available for many many years. brake pads and air filters for your cavalier don't come from GM, they come from a aftermarket supplier. GM couldn't give a rat's a ss about your '02, but autozone and advance will keep it running for a long time.

just relax.

 

[benjamming]

My '94 Grand Am has 192k miles. I'm not worried about not getting parts. You can usually cobble something together at the machine shop, gasket shop, etc. Pablo said it best.

There is a lot of parts sharing among many vehicles. There will be parts suppliers if there is enough demand. Quality and availability may not be what we currently have but it'll be alright.

 

[sciphi]

Not worried at all. There are many Buicks sitting around yards, and lots of parts made for them. I'll be fine.

 

[c3po]

Originally Posted By: mpvue
the question you ask, I'm sure you must realize, is neither new nor unique. every time something like this happens people start flipping out about parts availability. it's like when a snowstorm is coming, everybody flips out buying milk and bread.
you can be assured that there won't be any aftermarket suppliers going under. they don't depend on OEM to survivie. they make repair parts that will continue to be available for many many years. brake pads and air filters for your cavalier don't come from GM, they come from a aftermarket supplier. GM couldn't give a rat's a ss about your '02, but autozone and advance will keep it running for a long time.

just relax.

He is correct, I can still get parts for my carburetor from CarQuest, and the car is a 1983 Chevrolet El Camino.

 

[parimento1]

unless you drive a very esoteric car from GM like the Solstice, you will be fine, because there is a huge aftermarket for most of GMs popular cars, like the Impala, Malibu, Camaro, Cavalier, etc.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: c3po
If it is a guarantee that GM ( Forget about Chrysler ) is going to go out of business, which may be correct, then it is crazy for the government to give them money.

BINGO! I wouldn't give them another cent.

My Dad always told me that America always comes back, I told him that is in war, these U.S. Automakers have been out of touch for so long.


That was a different America that your father spoke about. Modern America has an 'entitlement' mentality spawned by 50 years of entitlement programs.

 

[bmod305]

Why on earth would you stock common parts when they are available from any auto parts store on the planet? I have worked in the auto parts industry(NAPA) since 1982 and just about every common replacement part i.e. bearings, filters, brakes, electrical are available in the aftermarket. GM and Mopar actually make very little of their parts, most are provided by outside suppliers that also provide the very same parts on the replacement side. Look how many times the airlines of declared bankruptcy; are you afraid to buy a ticket? Don't worry and sleep wheel because there is huge market for non-oem replacement parts already in place.

Dave

 

[Bill in Utah]

Last time I checked just because you go bankrupt you are not closing your doors.

Look at the Airlines. Still around.

Don't worry, GM and Chrysler will be around and once they can shred their idiot contracts they will be back better than ever.

I would not be WORRIED at ALL.

Bill

 

[Kernel Potter]

The corporate CEO and executive culture that has poisoned American is a physical contract that can be shred and torn up?

 

[alchemist]

Yes, and there is the law about aftermarket parts must be available a certain amount of time past manufacturing date. Is it 10 years for mechanical wear parts?

 

[Pop_Rivit]

No, I'm not concerned.

A few years ago when I collected antique cars I owned a 55 Studebaker pickup, a 53 IH pickup and a 51 Packard. I never had any real difficulty getting parts for any of them.

I own 4 Ford tractors (1939 to 1951). I have no problem getting parts for any of them.

I'm not concerned about getting parts for any of my current Dodge vehicles.

 

[Bill in Utah]

Originally Posted By: Kernel Potter
The corporate CEO and executive culture that has poisoned American is a physical contract that can be shred and torn up?
I hope so.

Just like the other side that has done just as much damage if not more.

Take care, Bill

 

[Kestas]

Sadly, bankruptcy is now an acceptable way to run a business and some companies adopt it as a business plan and make it work for them.

 

[pbm]

Originally Posted By: Kestas
Sadly, bankruptcy is now an acceptable way to run a business and some companies adopt it as a business plan and make it work for them.



.....Just like many Americans who run up huge credit card debts and then (with the help of a lawyer) go bankrupt.

 

[oldmaninsc]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
No, I'm not concerned.




I agree. I think the question should be NOT about getting parts - but about warranty service. If GM goes out of business, who is going to stand behind the manufacturers warranty?

 

[Win]

No, I'm thinking about buying a G8 GXP to complement the G8 I got last November.

If GM goes down, what will happen to the cost of cars? I only see it going up, perhaps dramatically, to reflect the drastic cut in supply and lowered economy of scale for component parts. I don't expect a lot of altruism in pricing from the remaining companies.

People may scream now about tax dollars being loaned to these companies, what about if a plain jane Camry is $32K and a Yaris $22K after their wages have been cut to the bone? They will really holler then, and will still be cussing the politicians that let GM go away, long after the loan package is a distant memory.

I think the pols know this, and will act accordingly. Ford is mortgaged to the eyeballs, if GM tanks, they won't be long for this world, either.

 

[Anduril]

No, not worried at all. There will be aftermarket parts as long as people still own the vehicles. It's people like the OP who worry about things like this who will be my source of cheap low-mileage domestic vehicles to buy after GM and Chrysler go under.

Also only ever had a warranty on one vehicle I've ever owned, and that one (a Toyota) has been the only one that's ever needed more than minor repairs.