(as that is where both are headed)
If the U.S. economy is to remain intact into the 22nd century, we will have to convert from a oil-based economy to a (most likely) hydrogen-based economy. Oil is running out, period. We need to use what is left for manufacturing and lubrication of vehicles that do not run on gasoline (or any other oil-based product). The U.S. still has an ideal infrastructure to support the real innovation that it will take to convert all gasoline powered vehicles (don't forget airplanes) into something powered by a resource that will last longer than a few decades. (not necessarily limitless or renewable, but something that will last longer than the remaining oil reserves)
We still need major automobile manufacturers who have their main corporate offices located on U.S. soil. Why? Because no other country will be motivated to solve the problem of (oil reserves disappearing FAST) before the U.S. will. When oil starts disappearing, no new company will have the infrastructure needed to tackle the problem (its scale will SQUASH any would-be upstart). Our best hope is to convert huge domestic automobile factories to produce vehicles of all types that do not run on gasoline. In fact, this may be our ONLY hope.
But if GM and Ford both go bankrupt before this happens, well, I guess we'll all starve to rest. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. -Dave
