Automotive Journalists Share Industry Insights
at the Detroit Economic Club

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Fox 2's Murray Feldman, Daniel Howes of The Detroit News, Phil Nussel of Automotive News, and Tom Walsh of The Detroit Free Press at the Detroit Economic Club on January 15, 2009.

by Garrett Godwin ggodwin82@yahoo.com

DETROIT -- Though it was the 70th birthday of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Thursday was also the day for the North American International Auto Show Luncheon at Motor City Casino, where "Detroit is in a high-stakes game" -- where the city is in the red due to the automotive and financial turmoil yet continues to set out to get the color green, the color of money.

Daniel Howes of The Detroit News, Phil Nussel of Automotive News, and Tom Walsh of The Detroit Free Press were the first panelists of 2009 for the Detroit Economic Club, as each of them discussed the auto show, the trials and tribulations of the Big Three/possible Detroit two, what should be done, and so forth.

The only way to get out of this situation, stated Feldman, is talk about the issues and network. The moderator for Thursday's meeting, Feldman also has his own segment on WJBK-TV FOX 2 called "Job Shop", in which he offers advice on resume critiques, interviewing skills, where and how to look jobs, and more. Everything is slimmering down, he continued -- which includes cutting down jobs, the Great Recession, and the rising rates in home mortgages.

Despite the budget cuts, the auto show here in Detroit isn't going anywhere, because the city is built due to the auto industry, which is why it's been given the nickname the Motor City. "The Auto Show will stay in Detroit," Walsh responded. "Just because Nissan and a few mothers pulled out doesn't mean we lost the whole show."

"So even looking beyond the environmental and the political issues, I think you're going to see just so much intense competition among the automakers, because frankly, everyone's going to make a perfect car in the not-too-distant future," said Phil Nussel of Automotive News. "What's going to happen next when all your cars never break down?"

"What I'm encouraged by as I look at GM and Ford particularly right now, is I think they're making some long-term strategic bets, and I hope that they stick with their strategies," said Daniel Howes of The Detroit News. "And they don't get into a situation where they're always changing based upon oil prices, who the new CEO is, who is the vice-president of this or the vice-president of that. That's been one of their downfalls historically."

Knowing that the Big Three have failed in the current business model to compete and prosper and that a new one must be developed, the reporters agreed that the administration of President Barack Obama is an "historic time" when it comes to the automotive industry and the economy in the purpose of preserving and protecting jobs -- knowing that the industry is need of help. No new president wants to see this industry collapse. The economy is in total hibernation until April, so expect a slow growth.

The 2009 Detroit News Reader's Choice Awards were also announced during this meeting of the DEC:

Best of Show: Ford Taurus	Future Fantasy: Cadillac Converj
Family Hauler: Chrysler Town and Country	Best Curves: Chevrolet Camaro
Plushest Interior: Lincoln MKS	Most Innovative: Smart Car
Most Earth Friendly: Toyota Prius	Most Luxurious: Maybach 625
Grooviest: Ford Mustang Shelby	Off Road: Ford F-150
Best Value: Ford Fusion

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Fox 2's Murray Feldman and Daniel Howes of The Detroit News during a panel discussion.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Panelists discussed the 2009 Detroit Auto Show and the future of the automotive industry.

 

PHOTO BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com

Phil Nussel of Automotive News, and Tom Walsh of The Detroit Free Press inside the Motor City Casino.

 

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This page was last updated on Sat, January 24, 2009 0:23 AM

 

 

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