Some form of managed bankrupcty for the Detroit automakers is looking increasingly likely, says Andrew Snyder. And investors need to be prepared to act quickly. Shares in the Big Three will soon be worthless. But Andrew recommends three strong suppliers that will be available at fire sale prices in the immediate aftermath of a bankruptcy filing.

Markets are hard to predict, says Andrew Gordon. But government policy isn’t. That’s why the effective nationalization of the auto industry is a gift to investors. It virtually assures the death of the SUV and rise of the hybrid car. Andrew says this means small-cap battery maker Ener1 (AMEX:HEV) has an “awesome future.”

Market and regulatory forces are exerting pressure on higher gas prices, but whether or not the coming hikes will turn new car buyers to green autos still remains to be seen. With drillers curtailing new wells, and President-elect Barack Obama’s pick for energy secretary, Dr. Steven Chu, mouthing off about raising fossil-fuel surcharges, the weakness of the overall economy could deter consumers from paying the green-car premium at their local dealerships.

Stop blaming the unions for Detroit’s shortcomings, says Lynn Carpenter. Of course, jobs have to be cut in a recession. But this is not the silver bullet for businesses. And every job lost is a consumer lost, which is a big deal in a consumer economy. Lynn says we have no hope of an economic recovery until spiraling unemployment is brought under control.

The Detroit automakers deserve to go broke, says Bill Bonner. They were well positioned in the biggest market for autos in the world, but still managed to squander all their money. And now they want the taxpayers to rescue them.

GM is essentially already bankrupt, says Horacio Marquez. And it has been for years. This clearly makes the company one to avoid for investors. But Horacio says there are still some ways for those with a big risk appetite to make big profits with the giant automaker.

It is looking like it will be a big week for Detroit. The nation’s automakers are due back in Washington to hopefully conclude their welfare pandering.

Big media has been beating the drum that if Detroit built more fuel-efficient vehicles, buyers would flock back to their showrooms. But there is an inherent lie in this line of thinking. And if investors buy into this lie, they could end up on the wrong side of the trade when it comes to considering the major American auto makers any time in the future.

Not every automaker CEO is down on his knees with cap in hand. Some of them are too proud to beg… and Taipan Daily won’t have to beg either with the right options strategy.

Not every auto manufacturer wants charity, you know.

While Detroit’s CEOs were up on Capitol Hill whining and begging like street junkies for a mere $25 billion to tide them over until spring, salesmen from Bentley, Lamborghini and Maserati were working the floor of the Los Angeles Auto Show like madmen in an attempt to stem their stateside sales losses.

Now don’t let their $500 suits and smooth manners fool you. These guys are hurting too. Lambo’s down 15% (pretty much a match to the whole biz’ 2008 decline). And…

The Big Three are up on Capitol Hill, making their case for a government bailout. Andrew Snyder says investors can position themselves to make a profit with auto-related stocks. He picks three companies on the auto supply chain that could get a boost if the government decides to “rescue” Detroit.