I'm a little behind....

While browsing around the Washington Post homepage I came across an article that was featured in the Associated Press on November 15, 2005. The article entitled "GM Bankruptcy Fears Rising on Wall Street" brings attention to the speculation among GM investors that the company may be forced into bankruptcy. Some think the reason for this possible bankruptcy is the company's unwillingness to succumb to current conditions and manufacture smaller and more environmental friendly cars. The increasing demand for such cars would be a boon for their business. If the company decides to adapt to the current demand and escape bankruptcy thousands of jobs will be saved.

This article resembles the plight of the Ford Company during the mid-1920s. Henry Ford refused to update the model T. He also would not allow his cars to be bought on credit because he believed it was bad for the economy. These refusals to meet costmers' demands were causing Ford sales to go down. If the company went under it would cause the loss of many jobs. Fortunately, his more open-minded son Edsel took over the company and managed to avoid bankruptcy. He met the costumers' needs by changing the assembly into a new upgraded car called the model A. The model A had many mechanical upgrades. The company now also allowed cars to be bought on credit. In order to evade bankruptcy and save jobs GM will have to adapt their cars to the cotumers' needs just as the Ford Company did.