Chavez To Automakers

Business Report ^ | 12/24/09 | Sapa-AP

[Bringbackthedraft]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez told foreign automakers to share their technology with local businesses or they will be told to leave the country. http://www.br.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=566&fArticleId=5296745

[Bringbackthedraft]

I say let him! lets see how long the other cars last and if he'll get parts for them when he needs them. I'm sure the Venezuelans will look forward to owning cars like the Trabants and Ladas.

[SonOfDarkSkies]

Highway robbery!

[KarlInOhio]

If they are smart they are already shipping their machine tools out of the country, starting with the most expensive and hardest to replace. He's going to nationalize them just like every other industry he threatens. There's no reason to leave anything more than an empty building (strip the plumbing and electrical wiring before you leave) and a couple sets of bent screwdrivers for Hugo's thugs.

[americanophile]

Doesn’t anyone down there have a gun?

[org.whodat]

Lets see, I buy a car I pay for it, but I don’t own the little black box that makes it run. If the car companies don’t want to give out the information in the box, stop selling them.

[Glenn]

I hope Chavez is assassinated soon.

[Brilliant]

Why would anyone want to do business in Venezuela anyway?

[Sine_Pari]

No need for O’Chavez to demand they be shared. If it is GM or Chysler Hussein will gladly gift the technology; Ford may be another issue.

Regards and Merry Christ-mas.

[jtal]

Yes, you are right. If they did not see this coming and prepare apppropriately then they are blind and/or foolish.

[PubliusMM]

Seems fair. The companies can leave the country, avoiding the inevitable ‘nationalization’ that comes with dictatorial socialism.

Shucks! Put me down for a new 2011 Hugo. Can’t wait to take delivery. Need a new target for the rifle range out back.

[ikka]

Same thing China and Japan pulled!

Japan: patents on technologies US companies develop have to be licensed on the cheap to Japanese companies.

China: you have to start joint ventures with local companies, which will then siphon your technology and intellectual property off to other companies.

If you are going to steal, steal from the best!

[cashless]

Hmmm. let’s see. A little. fat, greasy, 3rd world dictator threatens auto manufacturers. How do the auto companies handle this? Shut down. Leave the country and write off the entire operation. Forbid parts sales to Venezuala directly or indirectly. Announce plans to build in Honduras and Colombia or where ever democracies exists. When asked, say, “He made us an offer to share company secrets or leave. We took his offer. Isn’t that what we were suppose to do?” This is only effective if they all do it together on the same day and the same time and announce it from their home countries. Maybe they can get some of those really vintage cars from Cuba to help out. It would take 1 - 3 years for the countries he mentioned to ramp up production. Wouldn’t take but about 2 months for Venezuala and neighboring companies to feel the effect.

[catnipman]

If they are smart they are already shipping their machine tools out of the country, starting with the most expensive and hardest to replace. He's going to nationalize them just like every other industry he threatens. There's no reason to leave anything more than an empty building (strip the plumbing and electrical wiring before you leave) and a couple sets of bent screwdrivers for Hugo's thugs.

Indeed. Announce a major plant modernization project, ship out the "old" equipment first to make room for the "new" equipment, and then announce delays and difficulties in getting the "new" equipment in.

[Red Dog #1]

Nationalize CITGO’s US holdings!!!

[griswold3]

China just struck a deal with Chavez on their oil.
I’d like to see that weasel try to screw the Chinese! LOL

[ataDude]

Why in hell are these companies still doing business in Venezuela, anyway? How long has this jerk been in power... and how many industries have they seen taken over?