Col Rouge, Ludwig,
I think you missed my point "what good is it if the operation is a success but the patient (world economy) dies?

I too am looking at the holistic perspective. Unlike you I believe that the market place is so corrupted/polluted that I doubt that the effect of these 3 behemoth corporations crashing would give a distorted effect world wide. The questions to me are: How do we handle the losses? How do we minimize the disasters?

There are obviously many reasons for the problems one is that these corporations have gotten so big, so cumbersome and consequently so market response constipated that in market terms no longer viable. The undeniable primary objective of any organization is self-preservation. It seems to me there is a finite point where a mega organization ceases being a tool to serve man (efficient usage of resources) it turns counter productive in that man becomes the means rather than the end ( see ‘who killed the electric car’). The complication comes when it becomes too integral to other systems that the consequences of its collapse (exit from the market) are unacceptable to the wider market. Often this means socialized bail outs which tend only to delay the inevitable.

As it currently stands Corporate Capitalism fails most of it's stated objectives, assumptions, criteria etc. Therefore I wonder if it isn't time to reconsider the direction of Corporate Capitalism per se. THAT DOESN'T MEAN wholesale destruction of the system, neither am countenancing an end of the world scenario.

PS Ludwig Miscommunication did play a part. Did you see the program on alternative fuels and the fate of the GM Volt? I rest my case.

Examinator “3 behemoth corporations crashing”

If these three were to collapse and no “government money” forthcoming, the following would happen

Receivership.

They would be a short hiatus in car production

From the ashes it is likely :

2 would survive in slimmer form, a lot of “fat” having been trimmed away and SOLD to new management groups or MBOed as per a Warren Buffet.

The third (likely Chrysler) would be broken up and sold to new investors, fire-sale prices but nothing wrong with that.

Toyota and a couple of other Asian manufacturers would be happy to pick up the slack and people like Repco support component spares sales.

Part of the present problem with their dealers is these 3 have withdrawn their bailment and stock finance from their resellers.

“Self-preservation” is achieved through market competitiveness and sustainable business practices, which includes giving the customer what they want at a price they are prepared to pay.

“As it currently stands Corporate Capitalism fails most of it's stated objectives,”

That is a gross generalization which covers a lot of entities, not just three car makers
But following on, state managed entities are the same, except the separation of powers (between operator and regulator) is lost completely.

“Minimizing the disaster” is not the best solution, it is like building up the levee banks of the Yangtze.
My experience of life is: “disaster” is only ever minimized by facing the reality honestly, head on and dealing with it now, not applying a bale-out band aid and hoping things will be better in the morning.
As for all the demands for more efficient engines and electric cars:
If the traditional vehicle suppliers are not addressing this market demand, there are plenty of other innovative vehicle makers out there. Why are the small innovators not rushing in to supply?

Maybe the “demand” is just some invented spin from “green” politicians and lobbyists.

The capitalist system is very responsive to opportunity. When nothing actually happens it is usually because the “demand” does not exist.