Revitalizing the US automotive industry

The Big Three US automakers -- General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler LLC submitted their turnaround plans to Congress in an effort to seek approval of up to $34 billion in federal loans for the US auto industry they claim are necessary for their survival.
The poor sales caused The Big Three seeking the government bailout. General Motors, the nation's largest automaker, is asking for up to $18B, Ford wants $9B and Chrysler, $7B.

It is reported that Chrysler Chief Executive Robert Nardelli committed to working for $1 per year, GM's Rick Wagoner and Ford boss Alan Mulally both pledged Tuesday to work for one dollar a year in salary if their companies got tax-payer help.


Motor vehicles are one of the most important consumer products in terms of total household expenditures. As the largest durable consumer product in terms of expenses next to housing, the consumers demand for motor vehicles is highly correlated with the general business cycle as the automotive industry generates economic activity through backward and forward linkages.

The main competitors in the global market are Japan, South Korea and Chinese producers. Nonetheless, the efficiency of Japanese automaker Toyota has been higher and very well equipped for price competition.


The automotive industry is one of US’s key industrial sectors, whose importance is largely derived from its linkages within the domestic and international economy and its complex value chain but the international producers are well positioned to compete.

The job cuts, shuttered factories, canceled bonuses and commitments to fuel-efficient cars are not the answers to the problems.

The internationalization strategies may change over the current slump in US automotive market is to increase global competitiveness and address the challenge of mass motorization in low income, emerging economies.

The existence and the continued growth of overseas markets are encouraged. The Chinese automotive market is growing very rapidly and China will be the third largest market for automobiles by the end of the decade, thus by expending export to the emerging China, Asian and Eastern European markets relying on price and quality of cars by far one of the effective strategies to improve their financial condition.

Practically, to tide over the turbulent times, revitalizing the industry and avoid the tough international competition, the major changes to the way of doing business to achieve long-term viability is to introduce cheap but powerful hybrid electric or water vehicles.

Petrol prices: Another 5 percent cut

The government of Malaysian does act responsibly to reduce the petrol prices by another 5 percent bringing pump prices down by 10 sen per liter as the global crude prices continuing to ease.


The pump price of RON97 petrol will now be RM1.90 a liter - down from RM2 - while both RON92 petrol and diesel will be RM1.80 effective Dec 2 midnight.

This is the sixth fuel price cut since June's 41 percent hike on the back of soaring crude costs and the last cut by 15 sen was just over two weeks ago.

In the wake of the economy devastating destruction caused by the evil oil is by far unforgettable and unforgivable, the reduction is seeks to prevent the economy of Malaysia from sliding down.

Economy is good with low oil prices but the question remains: Would the businessmen and manufacturers willingly given a price cuts?

Najib says Vernacular schools to continue with demand

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the Chinese and Tamil national type schools played an important role for the Chinese and Indians because they were the main medium for them to instill positive and useful values in the lives of their children respectively.


“Our policy is one that allows every individual to choose the schooling system that he or she wishes to have. We have also given our commitment that these schools will continue to exist as part of the national education system so long as they are needed by the Chinese and Indian communities,” he said.

He said the decision of the government was in accordance with the policies contained in the Razak Report of 1956, that every individual had the right to choose the education system he or she wished to have.

He said an amendment to the Education Act 1996 had made Chinese and Tamil national type schools a part of the national education system and, as such, the existence of these schools was provided for in the law.

Is the Malaysian social intolerance Overrated?

Fundamentally, the world seems to be profoundly diseased in a variety of ways: politically, morally or economically. As a multi-racial country, is the Malaysian society founded on the principle of social intolerance resulted from planned conquest and genocide?

Racial tension

The tendency of the sensitive race relations issues brutality known to the Malaysian society as the “racial tension” therefore, implies that conceals a racist ideology, bitterly divided along racial line between Malay, Bumiputra and non- Bumiputra.

It is claimed that the Malaysian politics has long had a disturbing tendency to racially divide by coalition Barisan Nasional although the government implemented the strategy to overcome problems through the Barisan Nasional spirit.

Undeniably, part of the Malaysian culture seems to cause the people to be the intolerant and was surprised by the hatred that was directed against them. Nonetheless oppressors who have never been held accountable for the unfathomable suffering they created, has become a source of tension between the deference races.

To assert the claim that Malaysian is not responsible for engaging unbalanced representation; rather, there is a serious need to restating an accepted historical fact.

In whatever form, the Self-interested politicians seem to manipulating the issues to perpetuate hatred and stir up unnecessary conflict and tension by using race card.

Regrettably, it is resorted to distasteful and condescending language that appeals to layman fears rather than their hopes.

By and far, the arrogance of the politicians should be tempered; they must realize the most powerful destructive weapon is racial tension. The obligations and self-interest should not be allowed to perjure the people and racial incitement should be eliminated.

Ironically, in the era of globalization, the people are no longer judge the book by its cover; many are scarcely more just, they can analyze and voting across the racial line. It is also important to make it clear that there is a serious need for a great leader to commit oneself without prejudices and bias by good example.

To act and respond without prejudice and hidden racial agenda to overcome the racial tension and for the importance of people are the differences between a great leader and racist.