Agreed.

The last thing we need is bickering governments manuipulating the currency.
But in general, it's impact is often overstated.

But the auto companies are using this as a crutch to justfy their
inadaquancies.  It is easier to focus blame on something people don't
understand.  If the dollar soared in value they would complain about labour
costs ignoring that raw materials are a bargain.  If the dollar tanks it
makes labour cheaper but raw materials skyrocket.  The two tend to cancel
each other out, and in fact a higher value dollar often makes more sense as
it leaves more money in the middle class pocket to buy autos.

Sort of like asking a failing farmer if the weather is right.  Often it is
too wet or too dry but never right.  But it keeps their minds occupied off
the real problems they don't want to face.  Perpetual complainers and
whiners ignoring the obvious.

Case in point, the CAD has fallen to 80 cents.  Didn't mater if it was par
or 80/100, they still lose money!  And they lost money before the dollar
went to par.  Doesn't mater, they lose money all the time.

GM/Chrylser management and their unions just don't get the cause of the
problem is 100% of their own doing.  And the solution too needs to be 100%
their own doing.  Not facing that just makes them look like a bunch of bully
beggars using the tax system to pick peoples pockets.  Needless to say, this
tarnishes the brands and companies.

For some of us already think of GM/Chrysler as Welfaremobiles.  Which will
make recovery even harder as it will result in a lower proportion of sales.
The longer these dogs ignore their problems, the worse it will get.

No what is needed is an even playing field and  stop subsidizing japanese
cars manufacturers and artificially propping up japanese cars at the expense
of the US and other countries.

But it hasn't been entirely successful at it and has made some major
blunders.  In the 1950s, for example, the Japanese government thought
American car companies were so far superior in quality, technology,
and low costs that Japanese auto firms could never compete against
them, and the government suggested those companies leave the
industry.  And 20 years ago, the Japanese government embarked upon a
"5th generation" computer project to leapfrog the Americans in
hardware and software, but today, where are the Japanese software and
super chips?