Date of Defense

Spring 2009

Department

Business Information Systems

Keywords

General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Chrysler LLC

Abstract

Motor vehicles have been the life blood of Michigan's economy for over a century. Today nearly 750,000 people are employed by American automakers. Success due to the prevalence of American muscle cars, sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks in the early 1990s has been halted. A decade of struggle since that success has citizens wondering if there will be any American auto manufacturers in the next ten years. Constant change accompanied by a lengthy economic downturn has put the auto industry in a stranglehold. General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Chrysler LLC are all edging closer to bankruptcy. Some economists predict that there will be only two of the Big Three American automakers remaining a year from now. The situation has forced the manufacturers to ask for a bailout loan from the United States government. After a century of growth and prosperity, how can three of the largest automakers go bankrupt so quickly? The following paper explores the struggle as well as potential solutions to the problems.

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Campus Only

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