Not true-many plants have been shut down. A few were turned in to Condos (Tarrytown New York). However, the vast amount sit empty. This is a popular misconception that someone will step in and begin the auto industry anew. It has never happened and will never happen. If the big three go away, the US has lost the domestic auto industry forever. Don’t expect the transplants to hang around long if this occurs. They are already releasing statements about how their North American operations are threatened by a big three bankruptcy...gives them a good reason to leave in my opinion.
OK. Then let's assume that no investors will buy the plants and equipment because the prospective buyers have determined that they can't make money using this equipment to manufacture cars --even when they're buying these plants and equipment for much less than the replacement cost.
What would be the point of taxpayers effectively purchasing these plants and equipment? Would consumer demand suddenly appear? These state-run institutions would simply turn out cars that no one wants, just to preserve jobs. That's a very expensive welfare scheme.