Common Parts

[Ken Cunningham]

I just replaced my 98 durango belt and 98 expediton belt for 23 dollars apiece. 50 dollars for a belt from john deere doesnt supprise me though.

 

[gbw]

I suppose it shouldn't surprise anyone. It is sad to see. In just a few days now, the U.S. auto industry will be down to exactly company, and their long run viability is very questionable. Chrysler, GM, and all the others are dead. It's sickening and should never have happened. Part of the reason is has to be from short sighted, wrong leadership thinking that allows over-charging their customers for common, simple replacement parts.

 

[Iplayfarmer]

I suppose it shouldn't surprise anyone. It is sad to see. In just a few days now, the U.S. auto industry will be down to exactly company, and their long run viability is very questionable. Chrysler, GM, and all the others are dead. It's sickening and should never have happened. Part of the reason is has to be from short sighted, wrong leadership thinking that allows over-charging their customers for common, simple replacement parts.

Protectionism. Rather than update business practices and increase efficiencies, they sunk a lot into the pockets of politicians (much of that via unions) and sold us apple pie, corn-fed Americana, patriotic music and the red, white, and blue hoping that the American public would not act like every economist since Adam Smith has predicted they would.

It doesn't matter who you are, a group of rational individuals will seek out the best value for their hard earned money. When there is an acceptable alternative at a lower price, it will sell.

Then we get belts "made in America" in boxes stamped "Hecho en Mexico" and all the apple pie and red, white, and Blue goes right out the window.

There is no such thing as "Too Big to Fail".