Welcome to The Automotive Lyceum. This site is devoted to the objective analysis and commentary related to the global automotive industry.

The intent of this site is to present analysis and insight into the pressing issues the industry faces going forward.

Discussion will focus on all aspects of the industry including, manufacturing, engineering, design, corporate finance, labor, product plans, marketing and finally the economic and regulatory environment.

The Automotive Lyceum will be my notepad on the state of the industry. I will discuss all aspects of the industry and in particular the pressing challenges that threaten the very survival of vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and labor.

Latest Article:

August 8, 2008

Chrysler LLC: Unbelievable First Half 2008 Financial Performance and Pending Government Bailout - It was just before the start of the year when Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli stated the company was functionally bankrupt (cash in is less than cash out). Today the company is alleging an amazing recovery ($1.1 billion more cash in than out) in one of the most difficult economic climates in recent history.

August 4, 2008

GM's 2Q 2008 - Financial Results: The latest in the ongoing series on the financial crisis at General Motors.

July 18, 2008

Upcoming GM Product May Save the Company. An assessment of GM's near term product launches and their potential impact on the market and the company.

July 15,2008

GM Announces Another Restructuring and Stock at Another 50+ Year Low

July 3, 2008

The GM Death Spiral, Stock at 54-Year Low. It would finally appear that almost 40+ years worth of well documented problems have finally caught up with General Motors.

GM, Ford and Chrysler Near the Brink of Collapse? Personally I believe we are on the cusp of what could not be imagined a year ago; the collapse of the US auto industry, as we know it. Back in 2005 when GM began to have serious problems I did not believe bankruptcy was a serious possibility. Given the liquid credit markets at the time and available assets I believed GM could raise the capital to pull off a successful restructuring. Chrysler still had Daimler and Ford was spiraling out of control but ended up mortgaging everything including the “Blue Oval” to re-capitalize the company. What follows is my assessment of the Detroit 3 as they face an uncertain economy and the wrong product for the wrong time.