General Motors, Chrysler in merger talks

[ctrlraven]

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-finance/20081011/BUSINESS-US-AUTOS-GM-MERGER-REPORT/



WASHINGTON — General Motors is in preliminary talks about a possible merger with fellow U.S. automaker Chrysler, The New York Times reported late on Friday.

The talks between GM and Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity firm that owns Chrysler, began more than a month ago and are not certain to produce a deal, the paper said.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Friday night that the merger talks had been suspended because of financial market turmoil.

The Times said two people close to the process said the chances of a merger were "50-50" as of Friday and would most likely still take weeks to work out.
A merger would drastically reshape the ailing U.S. auto industry, reducing the Big Three of Detroit to the Big Two.

GM shares have fallen to near a 60-year low on fears the global financial crisis could derail turnaround plans.

GM and Detroit's other automaker, Ford Motor Co both ruled out on Friday seeking bankruptcy protection.

GM shares fell as low as $4 early on Friday, the lowest price for the stock since 1949, but recovered and ended up 13 cents, or 2.7 percent higher, at $4.89 on the New York Stock Exchange.

[oldekid]

Wow, a Challenger SS? A Hemi Impala? :)

[sd8683]

You can't polish a turd!!

What movie what movie:)

[blackhueys]

Christine awesome movie.

[Breadfan]

Shame on GM....who in their right mind would want to own Chrysler these days?

[justbob]

Foolish or not $4.89 a share is very tempting, especially if you look up 1999 and see the shares at $65.00! Any other year they hover between $28-$36.

[Black_Noise]

I love my Ram.

maybe they they could do a escajeep

Luxury, and off road capability

[justbob]

Would it then be "trail rated"?

[Black_Noise]

could be?...

[Vortex]

It might happen but I dont see why. There is way too much product overlap and all it will evenually mean is less choice when buying a car. I hope it doesnt go thru. Seems to me Ford is the one that should be bought out. From what I understand Cerebus would end up owning all of GMAC and Chrysler Credit and be out of the manufacturing business.

[TAKEDOWN]

Wow, a Challenger SS? A Hemi Impala? :)

Yeah... what an interesting combination.

[hot-rauder]

You can't polish a turd!!

What movie what movie:)

not as good as Tommy Boy's, " If you want me to take a dump in a box..." line lmao

Its all talk and i dont honestly tink it will happen. I hope not, i do like some Mopar products, i dont want Chevy's garbage invading on Mopar backwards engineering.


although fixing a Chevy is easy, and working on a Mopar is hell..... good could come from this

[UAW 588]

Will never happen!!!!!!!! JMO.

[Breadfan]

There are some cool Mopars and ones I realy like, but their mainstream stuff is pretty rough - and that's the breadwinner. You can't run a company on a low production Challanger...

I drove a 2004 Stratus one day not long ago, let me tell you that car sucked in so many ways. I think the 88 K car I drove for a short time once was better and more comfrotable.

[hot-rauder]

There are some cool Mopars and ones I realy like, but their mainstream stuff is pretty rough - and that's the breadwinner. You can't run a company on a low production Challanger...

I drove a 2004 Stratus one day not long ago, let me tell you that car sucked in so many ways. I think the 88 K car I drove for a short time once was better and more comfrotable.

i quite enjoyed the 2dr Starus RT with the v6 and 5speed though.
but their mainstream stuf is garbo.

Avenger got the worst rating of ANY new vehicle out there
Caliber is cheaply put together and the SRT version doesnt appeal like the SRT4
and a few people i have spoken to enjoyed old Caravans much more

[Aren Jay]

It really isn't a bad idea.

With all the brands involved they could offer a focus unparalled.

Dodge for sport cars.
Plymouth for special one off's.
Chrysler for mini vans.
GMC for trucks.
Chevy for sedans.
Cadilac for high end.
Pontiac for pony cars.
with a little bit of cross over for everything.

Chrysler makes better mini vans. GM better trucks.

A Chevy 300C and Dodge Corvette.

hmm maybe.

Adding in the 35 MPG lower limit and things are going to change.

[sd8683]

i quite enjoyed the 2dr Starus RT with the v6 and 5speed though.
but their mainstream stuf is garbo.

Avenger got the worst rating of ANY new vehicle out there
Caliber is cheaply put together and the SRT version doesnt appeal like the SRT4
and a few people i have spoken to enjoyed old Caravans much more


I SMOKED a stratus R/T a couple of months ago

[hot-rauder]

duh Sean its no contest at all

[hot-rauder]

It really isn't a bad idea.

With all the brands involved they could offer a focus unparalled.

Dodge for sport cars.
Plymouth for special one off's.
Chrysler for mini vans.
GMC for trucks.
Chevy for sedans.
Cadilac for high end.
Pontiac for pony cars.
with a little bit of cross over for everything.

Chrysler makes better mini vans. GM better trucks.

A Chevy 300C and Dodge Corvette.

hmm maybe.

Adding in the 35 MPG lower limit and things are going to change.

no longer even a brand. they would never ressurect it.

[Blk Mamba]

It really isn't a bad idea.

With all the brands involved they could offer a focus unparalled.

Dodge for sport cars.
Plymouth for special one off's.
Chrysler for mini vans.
GMC for trucks.
Chevy for sedans.
Cadilac for high end.
Pontiac for pony cars.
with a little bit of cross over for everything.

Chrysler makes better mini vans. GM better trucks.

A Chevy 300C and Dodge Corvette.

hmm maybe.

Adding in the 35 MPG lower limit and things are going to change.


Chrysler makes all the large trucks in the country, IH, FL, Etc.

[imorb1994]

IH (international?) made by Chrysler? navistar has nothing to do with chrysler

[Vortex]

Its insane I think. All GM stands to gain is Jeep and the Mexican truck plant. What will for sure happen is the end of the Challenger (why compete with the Camaro?). Im totally against this one, Id rather see them sell Chrysler to some foreign car company so at least they would still make Dodges.

[twin03]

GM is a let down, let GM go out like the olds...

[quota]

I guess it could happen because of financial reasons : Chrysler has cash, GM none. Now, if it does happen, I will unfortunately end up with more "re-engineering" and thousands of blue / white collar employees left without a job.

Tough times are not over, but FORD has now a more lean, manageable structure and range of products. It could emerge as a winner since chaos would badly affect the weak monster issued from such merging.

JP

[TAKEDOWN]

I know the economy is bad, but i doubt it's ever gonna happen.