If 90+% of new car sales require some kind of loan, why aren't the bailed-out banks in the hot seat?

[Bozita]

If every GM, Ford, and Chrysler on the dealer lots today were plug-in electrics, they still wouldn't be selling.

I guess I just don't get it.

[w4rma]

1. Because do-nothing (except loot the treasury) Bush is still in charge. (nt)

[moondust]

2. I'd guess

most auto loans are made by local REGULATED banks and credit unions which are generally in good shape and didn't need a bailout, though I think some of them have been forced to accept bailout money anyway.

[Warpy]

3. The banks are, actually, every time the repo man shows up

unless the car was financed by one of the offshoots like GMAC.

The problem is that nobody wants to be on the hook for new car payments right now, so nothing is selling. They're either buying used cars or fixing the old car, trying to make it last until the economy improves enough for them to have any faith at all in the future.