The article fails to mention one very key point that is the reason GM & Chrysler had the least benefit from the CARS program and had horrible September sales.....inventory.
After being shut down for several months, both companies had very little inventory on the lots. The CARS program came too fast for GM or Chrysler to react and produce their most fuel-efficient vehicles, hence they had the least benefit from the government program meant to help them (another Obama failure).
As of September, GM & Chrysler had record low inventories and were still ramping up production (with a model year changeover at the same time), so they still had few vehicles to sell.
Is there a backlash taking place? Yes.
Is there a lack of confidence in companies that just came through bankruptcy? Yes.
Did the government botch both the bankruptcies and the CARS program? Yes.
But, as always, there is more to the story.
Gosh, wouldn’t you think that management with a modicum of foresight could have foreseen that CFC was steamrolling its way to Congressional approval, that demand would therefore increase, and that all company efforts should be focused on ramping up production to meet that demand?
Apparently not. So what do we conclude?
1. That the new government-appointed management is incompetent and/or does not know how to run an auto company?
2. GM and Chrysler have been so damaged and are so disorganized that they were incapable of ramping up production in a timely manner?