GM and Chrysler Talking Possible Merger???

[Dragon]

WOW Talk about odd duck out!!!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/11/business/11auto.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
Cerberus is basically offering up Chrysler, in exchange of GM's remaining shares of GMAC Financial....
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081011/ap_on_bi_ge/gm_chrysler_merger_talks
Chevy into Dodge Conversions have been done by Backyard Mechanics for years, looks like they may come from the Factory that way!!!

[choptop]

Hhhmmmmm..........The potential to have the best deisel on the market (Cummins) and the best truck placed together from the factory....Where do I place my order???

[bigkountry]

That (the cummins) would be the only up-side in my eyes. I'm not a big fan of the new Hemi's, but they did make some good muscle cars years ago...I will give them that.

[dumbucket1]

best diesel maybe for the little trucks, but nothing beats cat motors on the big trucks. I know, I drive them all.

[bigkountry]

Very true on the CATS.

[choptop]

That (the cummins) would be the only up-side in my eyes. I'm not a big fan of the new Hemi's, but they did make some good muscle cars years ago...I will give them that.

Im not a big fan of the hemi either. To me, it's not a true hemi.The Cummins is an awesome engine, they just put it in an ugly truck. I also agree on the Cats, I have been living with them for the lst 12 years, but most of them dont fit in a truck, at least not one that can drive on the highway.

[Lt.Del]

Stock prices of GM at $4.89?  and Ford at $1.99?    I'm gonna dump some money in those puppies. When I double my money...GM at $10 and Ford at $4, I'll sell.  gonna go to Etrade...be right back....

[Captkaos]

in the world of economy crisis, the Hemi would not be a direction that would not make much sense.  It is common knowledge that Chrysler has the worst gas mileage of any auto manufacturer on average.  they are practically giving Dodge pickups away, not that GM or Ford are far behind, but GM's LS motors are very efficient with gas.

[Lt.Del]

GM stock is up from 4.89 to 6.47....I just made 32% increase in my money 

Ford went from 1.99 to 2.46....up 23%

Dude, there is money to be made!

[Stewart G Griffin]

1) That's very good, sgt.;  You made money in one day.  Care to make it interesting by putting alot down and daytrading?

2)Yes, i agree that the LS motors are very efficient and decent;  It's almost like the v-8 does not have to go away with their mpg.

3) It is pure stupidity that got the "big 3" in the mess that they are in and it is pure stupidity that they are even entertaining the idea of a merger.  GM merges with no-one, they only buy out smaller companies.

[DnStClr]

Well everybody's buying anything that comes into this country with wheels- I guess they'll buy a half breed American car too.

[Stewart G Griffin]

The other thing is, and i speak completely unbiased about this, is, let's face it, chrysler quality sucks and has sucked for at least 13 yrs.  i mean really sucked. 

i am not speaking of styling or performance or luxury levels;  i am referring to basic quality such as door handles staying on the car, transmissions lasting more than 1 yr., doors unable to completely close, doors springing open etc.

Right now, to me GM is sort of like cherry pie left out of the refridgerator a few hours----it's still sort of ok, but very marginal, still can be saved.  Chry-co on the other hand, is like a bag of poop that is on fire.

Why in the wide world of sports would GM want to merge or buy chrysler?

Both companies clearly need new and more importantly, better managment.

[Lt.Del]

Let's face the truths about American companies taking hits. 
There is no true equality when looking at the finances and fairness between GM versus Toyota or Hyndai or whatever foreign company.  GM still must pay benefits to their employess.  GM must still pay the retirement of former employess.  GM has so many more expenses due to the quality of life of American workers.

How much does the other companies for for their thousands of former workers?  for benefits?  I guess not much.  Therefore, the costs of american vehicles versus foregien jobbies is different.  Does GM or Chrysler cut some corners sometimes to make up for cost difference? probably.  It isn't a fair comparison any more. 

the solution?  Tariffs on incoming foreign vehicles---but then there will be world war III

in the meantime, all of our money is going overseas.

I am going to hurt some feelings here but I will state my opinion: anyone who buys foreign cars or trucks are thumbing their noses to one of America's most admired corporations and to the USA.  They are saying 'who cares about quality of life for Americans?'

Yes some Toyotas are built in America, however, the profits all go accross the Pacific.  There is not a level playing field due to our standard of living here.  By buying foreign cars, we are lowering our standard of living by giving thousands of dollars to another country and increasing our unemployment rates.

[DnStClr]

Both companies clearly need new and more importantly, better managment.

That's for sure. The good old days when designers and engineeers used to run the companies need to be revived. GM would like to have Chrysler to increase its cash holdings. It would close a lot of the Chrysler plants and sell whatever assets it could to get the cash. The biggest stickler in the whole deal is the company that owns Chrysler also wants to buy all of GMAC-it already owns 51%. GM doesn't want to make the deal, so both sides are going thru a give-and-take thing til it gets ironed out. Once this merger gets ok'd by the courts it will make GM a HUGE corporation with ownership of 32% of the American car market. It's probably the only way they can effectively compete against Toyota- buy up the competition..

[GoatBeard]

GM is doing just fine in every country except the US.  GM has made some mistakes in the past, but I believe that ultimately our government and their rules/regs has destroyed GM.

I can't figure any other reason why GM would be doing great in every country in the world except this one.