>The car industry is probably one of the most stable economic pillars the US has.
You mean the industry that famously went bankrupt in 2008 and had to be bailed out? Looking at the list of sectors[1], there are plenty of sectors that I think are more stable: Consumer staples, utilities, and healthcare.
The fact that it was bailed out says something about its place in American society. Stable might not be the best description but it does seem to be one thing which is taken for granted.
> The fact that it was bailed out says something about its place in American society.
Yes. It's extremely well connected to the levers of power.
Other examples would include the protectionist legislation offered when they were getting their shit rocked by Asia the last time around, in the 70's, every time we've gone to war overseas for oil, and the CAFE standards which have generous exemptions for all the vehicles they actually make money on because no other manufacturers bother to make 3 ton trucks for suburbanites.
"The average car payment for new vehicles was $737 per month in the third quarter of 2024, up 0.7% from Q3 2023
Auto loan delinquency rates are up compared to last year. 4.6% of outstanding auto debt was at least 90 days late in Q3 2024, according to the New York Fed, up 17.4% from Q3 2023. Meanwhile, the percentage of auto loans that fell to 30 days past due was 8.1% in the third quarter of this year, up 9.9% from 7.4% in the third quarter of last year."
I'm shocked that a somewhat predeatory lending company has great statistics about this - the whole article is interesting.
Oh yeah, something something they all took bailouts in 2008 and Ford was the only one that could pay the loans back while GM killed off several brands e.g. Oldsmobile and Pontiac.
The car industry is probably one of the most stable economic pillars the US has.