So how many Chrysler plants will actually reopen?

... now that they're all shut down til Jan. 19:

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/17/autos/chrysler_shutdown/index.htm?postversion=2008121717

 

If there's a bailout, less than half.
If there isn't, none.

 

Does this include parts plants?

I don't own a Chrysler, but if the Big Three stop making cars, they'll keep making parts for all of the people that own their cars, right?

 

Aftermarket companies certainly will make parts, but I have no idea about the Big Three.

 

Yeah, and Heath Ledger will keep making movies.

 

Oh, OK.

I guess that makes sense. It's not necessarily the car companies who make the parts, it is other companies?

 

Holy Shit.

It's only a matter of time before guys are standing on the corner selling apples.

 

It's not a surprise that it is happening, it's just the few week extension which has got people worried.

I'm going to say most, if not all, will reopen on Jan. 19. It's anyone's guess how long they will last though.

 

Not if the manufacturers go under.

 

That's why the other automakers are encouraging the government to bail out the Big Three -- because they use a lot of the same suppliers, and those suppliers will go out of business if the Big Three does, and then the McConnell Toyota plant can't get their hands on any locally made parts.

 

Again, I ask:

Why isn't the auto industry rescue being touted as crucial for national security?

After Pearl Harbor, General Motors and the other car plants were immediately converted to the war cause. Should something along those lines happen again (and given human nature, it's bound to at some point) America would be unable to convert to military construction overnight, even accounting for nationalizing the handful of Nissan, Toyota, BMW and Honda plants remaining should the American auto manufacturers close.

 

The only auto division of Chrysler that is worth much is Jeep. Those plants may open again - - possibly under the ownership of some entity other than Chrysler - - but the other plants are questionable at best.