Originally Posted by Andy G

No offence taken and none meant, but is this not protectionism of the worst sort? Chrysler has become unreliable because of macro economics. Yes it contributed to its own downfall and there is a certain Darwinian process at work here, but the same thing could happen to Boeing.

If their aircraft started to fall out of the sky would liability only extend to US citizens killed and injured?

Let's just run that argument a bit closer to the topic. GM owns Opel and Vauxhall in the EU. Now those companies should have contributed to the wealth of the USA as the global profits are returned home; same thing for Ford but they are playing their 'get out of jail card'. So, the US has benefited economically from it's trading position with EU customers. Now you suggest it's perfectly acceptable to fail to honour warranties outside the US because Uncle Sam is having to pick up the tab?

Follow that to its conclusion and GM will instantly implode as their EU divisions can close their doors right now - today. No one is going to buy a Vauxhall or Opel because they will have no warranty.

The next phase of that argument is that the UK and German governments should bail out Vauxhall and Opel. Guess what: they are doing just that and by bailing them out they are protecting the jobs of the GM workers in the US. Maybe only until the end of the month but Merkel and Brown are at least offering hope and not just standing by and saying it's your problem Obama.