Breaking: GM and CHRYSLER Hold Preliminary Merger Talks

[72lemanscvbl]

What about a new firebird based on the Viper?

[mike's 01ws6]

Originally Posted by tamatt27

I agree. I pray that GM Management is smart enough to realize that their own problems come first.
I do wonder, though, if GM will take Chrysler with an interjection of cash from Cerberus and strip all but is necessary for survival from them. Chrysler fans aren't going to be happy when the find out that their beloveed Ram is owned by GM. GM probably realizes this and ****-can most of Chrysler's operations. How did Chrysler do with the UAW talks?

So they would rather it be full of Nissan parts? Their cars are already a *******ization of Mitsubishi and Merceedes parts, at least the they would be more "american" again.

[Perian]

Originally Posted by Buickman

on the other hand the merger would make sense...only need one bankruptcy case rather than two.

Quote of the day.

I look forward to using my GM Card points to purchase a new Chrysler P.T. Cruiser.

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by Clownzilla

There would have to be some MAJOR restructuring after the merger but I believe that this could end up helping GM quite a bit. I think people need to realize that GM WILL axe brands, factories, etc. after the merger and GM won't necessarily be a "bigger" company. GM will be able to take the best of Chrysler and use it to patch up some holes in GM. For the health of GM, this merger is a Godsend. The acquisition price isn't too bad either.

This is why I'd like to know more about the 'Merger' before making a call on how I feel. Does Chrysler make any profit on any of their cars?

[triadecho]

Originally Posted by Ming

I also see an opportunity for a name change, and along with it, an image change.

I know! I know!
Let's get Ford to join in and we can call them American Motors?

[SirRaven]

If this did happen, lets just say that there will be a grim reaper waling around finding cars to kill off left and right, if not killing off brands. This would be something really hard to imagine either side actually doing. Merging up jeep and hummer wouldnt be bad, most, if not all of Chrysler cars could go, same with dodge, so really GM would not be gaining anything except less competition.

Originally Posted by triadecho

I know! I know!
Let's get Ford to join in and we can call them American Motors?

Lets go America!

[CTS-V-TWIN]

This would be one the biggest mistakes GM could ever make!

I don't see how taking on a problem child like Chrysler would help GM's financial problems. If anything, it would make it worse!!!

GM's stock would drop to equal that of Ford's!

[Steel4ring]

Originally Posted by Buickman

see this as an attempt to deflect criticism from current woes...in effect nothing more than Gorilla Dust.

H. Ross Perot, Newsweek (12-15-91) "Gorilla dust is his expression for the perennially optimistic statements made by Smith and other company executives. Scooping up some imaginary dirt and tossing it in the air, Perot says, 'When gorillas fight, they throw dust in the air to distract one another.'"

I am still waiting for that giant sucking sound taking all of our jobs to Mexico that Perot predicted......the only sucking sound I see are all the illegals coming here.

[Jesda]

[Buickman] THIS IS RICK WAGONER'S FAULT ALWAYS ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL [/BUICKMAN]

[Pedal 2 Metal]

What would be the point of this? How would GM gain from anything Chrysler? They talk about Pontiac being a damaged brand. I think Dodge and Chrysler are much much worse.

[BGH]

Doesn't Chrysler have the same cash problems as GM? How is this going to help either company? GM and Chrysler compete in all the same areas and the GM product is almost always better. GM foreign operations are also a lot stronger. I just don't see the value, besides "Chrysler will you more American parts".

[2002 Caddy]

Originally Posted by Ming

A merged HP and Compaq when both were in trouble ultimately made for a stronger whole.

Having both GMC and Dodge truck divisions on top of Chevy trucks would make
little sense, for instance.

The HP Compaq merger made little sense too and the facts show us that
1) It was a train wreck of corporate cultures
2) It was not about making a better "whole" it was about Carly's ego
3) It was a huge overlap of function and a masive waist of money
4) It confused loyal customers and triggered pretty much 100% of corporate customers to go out to tender.
5) Ultimately the CEO and much of the board were fired
6) GM got the failed Compaq guy on our board...

A merge with Chysler is pure nuts...
We need the "just ask Rick plan" and we need it NOW.

I only hope that this is GM's way of saying...
"Hiya, we are for sale dontchaknow."

[Hotwheels]

This thread ought to be titled ""GM and Chrysler HELD Preliminary Merger Talks". The Wall Street Journal says that the talks are on hold, and COULD be renewed when (if ?) the markets stabilize.

The article also says that Cerebus proposed swapping Chrysler for the rest of GMAC. That brings GM no cash, which is what's needed. The Chrysler brand brings nothing to GM.

Why on Earth would GM want to ad models, brands, dealerships, and add 10's of thousands of union payroll?

Only reason would be if Cerebus was bringing a pile of cash to the table, and they're not, at least according to the WSJ.

[greenrail]

Actually, maybe not a bad Idea.

GM would get the rear drive chassis under the (Charger,Challenger, 300C) which it is sorely lacking and had to kill of because of cash crunch.

GM would get Jeep and could kill off the overblown Gas Hog SUV's (i.e. H2, Commander, etc.) and replace with SUV's people may actually buy. (Lambda Based perhaps?)

As said in some of the other postings, getting the Daimler technologies to push into the overall merged product lines.

Another reason to dump underperforming brand names (i.e. Pontiac, GMC, and Saturn).

Many possibilities here.

Also, the idea of being able to dump GMAC completely during this crunch may not be too bad either.

Obviously some very long lived brands would end up falling by the wayside. But, that is the very nature of progress.

[wildgoosechase]

GM needs a new GEO, a value priced brand. Dodge has the reputation of being inexpensive and the quality image can't get any worse. GM could import Chinese small cars and slap a Dodge label on them. Gotta have something to compete with the Chinese brands once they do arrive.