Rough times for the Big 3

What a rough few months for the big 3 auto companies. GM announced a big restructuring, big job cuts and plant closings recently, and on monday ford announced they were taking similiar actions to improve their financial picture. I also have a link below to a story from MSNBC.com on whether or not the Big 3 may soon kill off some of their more redundant brands to save money and reduce duplication. I have said for years that GM could get rid of Oldsmobile (which they did) and probably Buick or Pontiac. They might have more luck if they try to position Pontiac as a more hip car and ditch Buick, which overlaps too much with Cadillac.

They also have to figure out how to compete with the Japanese companies better. Toyota may soon overtake GM as the #1 automaker in the world, a title GM probably thought they would have forever.

Here is the link to the story:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10617131/