what if GM and Chrysler were to merge ?

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renovation
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what if GM and Chrysler were to merge ?

Post by renovation »

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/busin ... ref=slogin
DETROIT — General Motors is in preliminary talks about a possible merger with Chrysler, a deal that could drastically remake the landscape of the auto industry by reducing the Big Three of Detroit automakers to the Big Two. and it looks like there a 50/50 chance it could happen .
but i personaly think a Ford and Chrysler merger in a better bet .
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Lmandrake
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Post by Lmandrake »

Never say never, but I can't imagine it. Chrysler has very little that GM would want with the exception of Jeep nameplate. If it hadn't bought AMC, and the Jeep name, Chrysler would have disappeared a while ago. Chrysler is privately held by Cereberus, so nobody knows how bad things are there. I suspect they are very bad. If it was a true merger it would be like the Penn Central all over again. The two companies are culturally very different.

I think it is equally likely that Cereberus is anxious about trying to make something good come out of their investment. Merger sounds so much better than "breaking up" or "selling off."

I think things are very grim for Chrysler. They are the least prepared of the big 3 in terms of hybrids and alternative fuel technology. The minivan segment, which they owned (and rightfully so) is drying up. I think the Jeep thing may be too. They bet heavily on the new RAM line - which, unfortunately for them, is being introduced at the worst possible time.

I find the whole thing awfully depressing. One or two of the big three could easily go belly up. The sad thing is that they really don't make crap anymore (GM in particular). But they all justifiably lost an entire generation or two of car buyers when they did make crap. Since the people who would still buy their vehicles wanted SUV's and trucks and the profits on them were huge - they built trucks. Thanks to deals that were negotiated when there seemed like there was plenty of money for everybody, they have huge pension and health care costs. Now the SUV and truck market has fallen flat on its face, I think one of the big three could be doomed. Chrysler is likely the one that will die first.

Toyota is now the standard of the world. If you see how amazingly thorough they are (as well as how good they are at covering for their errors), its no wonder they have the reputation they do. How could you not recommend one of their products? But I don't think I would ever buy one. They are vehicles built by worker ants for worker ants. No character at all, except for some of the Lexus models.

It is all terribly sad.
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Post by Pugsley »

about the only thing i can think of would be the HHR and PT cruiser would be utterly pointless.. not that they aren't now.
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Post by DoPeY5007 »

Hemi in a Camaro?
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Post by Err »

This is just another knee-jerk reaction to the current economy. It's going to take a few years before Chrysler recovers from the raping by Daimler. Despite biased reviews, Chrysler makes good cars. I love my 08 Avenger and I would buy a Charger or Challenger in a heartbeat. My wife's '07 Jeep Grand Cherokee is also a good car.

Chrysler is bringing 3 EV's to the market in the next three years: a plug-in EV sports car based on the Lotus Elise (150-200 mile range), a plug in Jeep Wrangler (40 mile range, with a gas generator), and a minivan (same setup as the Jeep). Each vehicle will have on the wheel motors. Hopefully they step up production and get these to market sooner than estimated.

More on the EV's here: https://www.chryslerllc.com/en/innovation/envi/overview/

As for GM, the Volt and new Camaro will sell well. I've also heard rumored that the new cobalt may have the option of a 4 cyl turbo. This will also be popular. The only thing GM is missing (and Toyota and Honda) is an AWD Sedan.
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