How GM Can Keep up With Japan's Next Big Weapon: Planned Obsolescence

[grumbles]

Originally Posted by Xenon

Honestly whats the fascination with DOHC? The acord isnt DOHC but that thing sells.

It's still OHC.

[PAULSTS1]

Here is another perspective on the upcoming GM Reinvention: In the news last week Billionaire investor, and GM’s largest single shareholder Kirk Kerkorian’s Investment Company Tracinda Corp made news with a letter directed to Rick Wagoner CEO,Bob Lutz Vice Chairman and to GM’s Board of Directors concerning a a restructuring proposal: That a mini merger of GM occur between Renault and Nissan. Both Renault and Nissan in exchange for 9 billion dollars cash would agree to buy 20% each of GM.

I heard automotive journalists; John Mc Elroy, Autoline Detroit, David Welch, Business Week, and Drew Winter, Wards Automotive go thorough a pro and con discussion on what might be accomplished if this merger was consummated.

The merger would create an auto manufacturer twice the size of Toyota, with Global reach, into Asia (Nissan) Europe (Renault), and the Americas (GM). The parts purchasing annual budget of $185 Billion dollars (100 Billion from Renault-Nissan, and $86 Billion from GM). Ultimately the sharing of Procurement, Safety, Environmental issues, and possible platform sharing (reasonably estimated within 10 years). The mastermind Carlos Ghosn, Chairman of Nissan, and a Director at Renault is regarded as a genius for his handling of the Nissan-Renault restructuring, and the know how of Auto Industry dynamics could bring new vision to the GM crisis.

Against it would be: What will become a much larger Company with
redundant car lines, possibly an upset in Management at the top level for GM.
The buyout of Full time workers and staff reductions is already calculated at
$4 Billion dollars, today. The future reductions of redundant workers,
factories is currently unknown. One of the negative issues still confronting
Mr. Ghosn’s Nissan leadership, was his decision to build Nissan trucks 3
years ago in a new manufacturing plant, with an unseasoned workforce, after
receiving negative recommendations from his executive staff. That
manufacturing facility has been unable to rectify assorted quality issues,

[F14CRAZY]

Like in the 40s-60s, my dad notes that car models could look much different every year. Like look at the early years of the Mustang, for example

[303montecarlo]

Originally Posted by F14CRAZY

Like in the 40s-60s, my dad notes that car models could look much different every year. Like look at the early years of the Mustang, for example

This is nice to see an interest in what Dad had to say. The Mustang when first used by C.H.I.P were flying of the highway but you were not born yet,it was put in the garage until the problem was resolved. This was corrected? who knows but it was a big problem power to weight. The cost now to change every two years like in the 50s will never happen. The two die production(one for back up)will never happen .This stopped in the 90s. Dreams for yourself on what you require for your ride could be there if you could order one,good luck to you.