Rumor Mill: A Ford-GM Merger Being Discussed?

[pcsario]

http://businessweek.com/lifestyle/co...s+%2B+analysis

"How desperate are Detroit's carmakers getting? At a few recent meetings, General Motors (GM) executives have mused aloud about the prospects of a merger with rival Ford Motor (F), BusinessWeek has learned. "

[GMusa]

Ford and GM merging will never happen.

[FenwickHockey65]

No. Won't happen. Maybe a partnership, maybe sharing technology, maybe just becoming best buddies and work together to kill toyota, but they won't merge.

[Aprime]

Tell me a reason why not?

Because it would hurt your feelings isn't a good answer.

I tough times, this is what companies do, just because they're automotive companies doesn't mean it can't happen.

[Joe in T.O.]

Ford is what gives domestics the bad name they have today. GM doesn't need an anchor to bring them down even further. GM is without a doubt the best domestic manufacturer out there.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by Joe in T.O.

Ford is what gives domestics the bad name they have today.

LOL.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

That would be fine with me. As long as GM was the leading company.

[member12]

Wow....that would be one giant clusterf-ck.

In any case, I don't see the benefits of a merger. Neither of the two has much to gain from each other.

GM is a full line manufacturer with the best parts in the world- it's just a matter of GM getting all those parts into one product. I think that, if anything, GM should allow Hummer to run as their own seperate companies....designing their own products and taking control of their own marketing. This would either generate more cash and better products or make HUMMER more "marketable" to investors in the future.

Every HUMMER is a GM truck- which makes the brand only as valuable as the badge.

So if GM and Ford were to merge, occasionally share technology and development cost, but run as two seperate companies...I'd be okay with that, but I don't see the benefits of it. I'd like to see a "GM/Ford" hybrid powertrain.

GM needs to go with more joint ventures with Ford, such as more transmissions and the E-Flex system.
As much as I like GM to be on top, I think that Ford would be happy to pay into the technology- and it might save another American car company.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by member12

GM is a full line manufacturer with the best parts in the world

Gahahahahahaha

Thanks for reminding me I'm reading GMI.


Also lol Hummer.

[nadepalma]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

No. Won't happen. Maybe a partnership, maybe sharing technology, maybe just becoming best buddies and work together to kill toyota, but they won't merge.

Agreed.

Besides, I dont think that the Ford Family would want to give up their control if a combined company were to emerge.

And the overlap would be enormous - who would survive? Ford or Chevy? Would Lincoln get killed in lieu of Caddy? Etc.

Bad idea. They would have to slash and cut to get the company the right size. Better to cooperate on some key components, etc than any merge IMHO.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by nadepalma

Agreed.

Besides, I dont think that the Ford Family would want to give up their control if a combined company were to emerge.

And the overlap would be enormous - who would survive? Ford or Chevy? Would Lincoln get killed in lieu of Caddy? Etc.

Bad idea. They would have to slash and cut to get the company the right size. Better to cooperate on some key components, etc than any merge IMHO.

lol, overlap.

You know, it doesn't always have to be a product thing, it can simply be a management thing.

Besides, it doesn't seem to be hurting some merged corps at the moment, I'm talking about media conglomerates and such.

They're quite distinctive companies with distinctive product, as long as the 'distinctive' bit remains in the driving, not just the design, I'm personally fine with that, and I don't think anyone else is.

Personally I think it's just speculation and that partnerships are more bound to happen than a full-blown merger, but product portfolio and your personal feelings can't stop something of this magnitude from happening, especially when you're not a majority share holder or someone with influence. Please, just get a grip.

[ByTheLake]

Originally Posted by Aprime

Tell me a reason why not?

Completely overlapping products?

Also, can you just imagine the number of brands that the combined entity would have? It would be forced to unload or close a significant number of brands and dealerships, creating a legal firestorm.

Not saying it's impossible, but I'm doubting the feasibility.

[IROCNROL1]

At some time in the future a merger is almost an inevitability. It'll be a last gasp attempt to stop the inevitable demise of the US auto industry. JMO, of course.

[Aprime]

If I put personal feelings into the mix, it would make me happy because I'd get a chance to look at Ford (Mazda and Volvo, specifically - as time goes I'm becoming an importfeg) without feeling somewhat bad or being forced to drop the ball on a number of things (provided they offer the same warranty as GM and so forth).

[Hitman1970]

Can you imagine the argument over capital investments. Who gets the refresh first, Mustang or Camaro? Who gets the larger towing capacity, F-150 or Silverado?