Can the Auto Industry Retool Itself To Build Rails? 897
knapper_tech writes "The scope of the auto industry troubles continues to increase in magnitude. The call to retool and develop new vehicles has been made several times already, but with all of the challenges from labor prices and foreign competition, how exactly can the industry retool itself to be more competitive? In light of superior competition facing losses, there doesn't seem to be enough room in the industry moving forward. In the context of finding a new place in the auto industry, the future isn't bright. Calls for no disorderly collapse of the cash-strapped big three and a reluctant congress can only point to an underlying lack of direction. However, consider two other standing economic challenges. The airlines have continued to struggle due to fuel prices and heightened security. Consumers backed off of SUV's due to high fuel prices, and while those prices have eased in the face of global recession, the trend will pick up again with growth in China and India leading the fight for resources. In short, things are moving less, and the industries that support the movement are in need of developing new products while consumers are in need of a cheaper method of transportation."
Read on for the rest of knapper_tech's thoughts.
knapper_tech continues:"Looking abroad, it's clear the US has far less invested in local and regional rail systems. With regard to high-speed rail systems, the US is conspicuously behind. France's TGV is moving people at 574km/h. China operates the world's first commercial maglev line while the famous Japanese Shinkasen goes without mentioning. In the US there is only one line in operation between DC and Boston with a few more planned as a result of the 2008 election in California.
The traditional barrier to implementation of rail systems is the initial investment costs, but in the context of economic stimulus, such investment sinks are actually desirable. The auto industry has clearly taken note with proposals from companies like Caterpillar for huge new infrastructure projects.
A friend who recently bought a house observed that real-estate prices are on the rise nearer to city centers, where the fallout of mortgage problems and expensive, time-consuming drives from the suburbs can be avoided. Recalling the huge number of urban revitalization plans and efforts to increase the viability of older city centers, it seems as though many municipal governments would also be in line to gain from the added density of rail systems and increased activity they can support in downtown areas.
Putting it all together, it seems like now would be a good time to direct the industrial capacity of the automotive and supporting industries to developing local and regional, high-speed rail systems to provide a more efficient and effective infrastructure basis for US cities while essentially creating a new market where competition from foreign car manufacturers will not be a problem. At the same time, a huge labor force would be required. The task would call for engineers for development, factory workers for manufacturing, operators, and maintenance workers. Caterpillar still gets to sell construction equipment. The inevitable stream of stores popping up around stations would provide new commercial areas. Last-mile bus and taxi services would also have a new place. The list goes on.
Besides the savings in fuel, the US could also gain international prestige and possibly help lead China and India away from our mistakes, helping to stem the rising demand for oil globally and avoiding the attendant international tension. Climate change is yet another win in this scenario.
It seems like we're not exactly headed in that direction, and I'm curious to see what Slashdot readers think of all this. What pieces need to be in place to make the investments pay off? What are additional resources that are required? Can the industries really make such a change of direction? Do we have everything we need in the US? How would such systems work out long term? Would the initial investments be able to pick up fast enough to stimulate the economy?"
Re:I don't think so. (Score:2, Funny)
You should move to Africa, you would find a lot more people to hate.
Already in design. (Score:5, Funny)
Here [icanhascheezburger.com] is an artist's rendition of the new train currently being planned.
Re:I don't think so. (Score:1, Funny)
Dont forget to tattoo that post,in the local language, to his forehead.
Re:I don't think so. (Score:4, Funny)
What do you have against bikers? You're so mean.
Re:Cars running Rails? (Score:5, Funny)
Agreed. Use Perl unless undef.
Re:SUVs (Score:1, Funny)
I bought a Jeep and started an oil company.
Problem solved.
Re:SUVs (Score:5, Funny)
which is good because SUV sales are on the rise again! and hybrid sales are down.
That's because we have the attention span of a gnat on meth. [salon.com]
Re:They could... (Score:3, Funny)
Delete all the other posts under this story. Everything that needs to be said is said here. It's astounding how out of touch this story was even by slashdot standards.
Hey! Maybe GM could abandon the auto industry and make shoes? Maybe Chrysler could make bicycles? And Ford is a shoe-in for skateboards! Why drive when we can walk or bike anywhere we want to go!
Of course! It's all so simple! (Score:3, Funny)
Why didn't I think of it before? What the US auto industry needs is.....A genuine, Bona fide, Electrified, Six-car Monorail!
Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud...
Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs.
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: Once again...
All: Monorail!
Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
All: Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
[big finish]
Monorail!
Homer: Mono... D'oh!
Re:Build more bicycles.. (Score:3, Funny)
I'd love to ride to work, but I can only pick up two of the kids from school at once and they got tired of playing rock-paper-scissors to see who'd have to walk behind.
Re:Funny thing about those retirement packages (Score:3, Funny)
The Right believes that if you aren't an aristocrat, you need no retirement plan other than a straight razor and a warm bath.
(Or guns, pills, drowning... whatever, the important thing is, "If they are going to die, they'd better do it, and decrease the surplus population.")
Of course, if you are an aristocrat, Heaven and Earth must be moved to make sure that you continue to live in opulent splendor. Hence, the huge bailout for the bankers.
So much makes sense when you understand this, society just clicks into place.