General Motors shopping for a partner

[scottinnj]

First they approached Ford. (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/business/12auto.html?_r=1&hp=&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&adxnnlx=1223755333-DK8KzHeN2yZq/m6qpQjE6w)


Now it seems Chrysler is interested in what they're saying. (http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49A0X420081011?sp=true)

It seems that with this bad economy, The Big Three are hurting real, real bad. I wonder now that the govenment bailed them out with 25 billion, how much oversight will the congress have if the two companies announce a merger plan.

[patsopinion]

gm is already looking to consolidate brands which is a big deal as far as the automotive world goes

and they are now looking to consolidate more brands by merging and downsizing the other company



overall this is just another indication of where the automotive sector (and the "buy american specifically") has truely failed to see around the corner

if they had decent products and hadnt been selling hemi's and the like being thrown into dogshit then they wouldnt be having this problem

[K.C.]

Option 1:

http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/china/images/china.gif


Option 2:

http://www.splendidarabia.com/IMAGES/KSAPics/flag.gif





I weep for this country.

[scottinnj]

overall this is just another indication of where the automotive sector (and the "buy american specifically") has truely failed to see around the corner

if they had decent products and hadnt been selling hemi's and the like being thrown into dogshit then they wouldnt be having this problem

It's a total lack of understanding the American market-GM seems to be at least 6 months behind the trend every year and Toyota is right on top of things. The only company worse then GM is Mitsubishi when it comes to properly presenting its product line to America.

The dummies are still trying to hawk Hummers to the US-and we hate them. No Pontiac advertising whatsoever, same with Buick. The only time I've seen a Buick commercial was on ESPN or The Masters, and now that Tiger is out for a while, even the sports channels aren't running them.
Dodge is overpriced, and the trucks are gas sucking hogs that don't offer anything that Chevy, Toyota or Ford don't have.

IMO, if GM can't partner up with another American car company, I'm feeling that my next purchase will be a Silverado or Colorado with a Toyota logo on it. Toyota is hurting too, but has enough clout to take over GM if things keep trending the way they do.

[Jughead]

It's a total lack of understanding the American market-GM seems to be at least 6 months behind the trend every year and Toyota is right on top of things. The only company worse then GM is Mitsubishi when it comes to properly presenting its product line to America.

The dummies are still trying to hawk Hummers to the US-and we hate them. No Pontiac advertising whatsoever, same with Buick. The only time I've seen a Buick commercial was on ESPN or The Masters, and now that Tiger is out for a while, even the sports channels aren't running them.
Dodge is overpriced, and the trucks are gas sucking hogs that don't offer anything that Chevy, Toyota or Ford don't have.

IMO, if GM can't partner up with another American car company, I'm feeling that my next purchase will be a Silverado or Colorado with a Toyota logo on it. Toyota is hurting too, but has enough clout to take over GM if things keep trending the way they do.

Why would you look to a company with no capital ???No quality???And no Market share????Gm captured 12%last quarter over the other big 3... .....But maybe if Gm would put there power train in Chrysler's design it might work???:bye:

[HBox]

The fate of this company this company hinges on the Volt more and more everyday....... if they can even survive long enough to release it.

[underdog]

overall this is just another indication of where the automotive sector (and the "buy american specifically") has truely failed to see around the corner

if they had decent products and hadnt been selling hemi's and the like being thrown into dogshit then they wouldnt be having this problem

This is where my dilemma of whether or not I want to help these companies comes in. Most of these companies are in financial trouble because they were fucking horribly run with awful business plans and it finally caught up to them. Unfortunately, it has caught up to all of them at the same time and is about to ruin our economy because these companies are dumb. I wish it was more spread out just so we could watch these companies burn and fold.

[scottinnj]

If GM and Chrysler partner up, they could keep the Caravan and the Charger. That would give them a "minivan" to offer since GM is dropping the Uplander from it's 2009 lineup, and a second choice of a RWD sport coupe to buyers if they don't like the sticker price of the Camaro when it comes out of retirement (starting price is rumored to be at least 35,000 dollars)

But it's gonna have to be more then that. They have to be able to build cars that will be able to compete with non-UAW manufactured vehicles that also can compete with those sticker prices. That will be hard, the UAW is necessary, but demand too much. They will have to cut a ton of bureaucracy between the two companies to cut costs.

[scottinnj]

This is where my dilemma of whether or not I want to help these companies comes in. Most of these companies are in financial trouble because they were fucking horribly run with awful business plans and it finally caught up to them. Unfortunately, it has caught up to all of them at the same time and is about to ruin our economy because these companies are dumb. I wish it was more spread out just so we could watch these companies burn and fold.

That's how I feel too. I love Chevrolet, racing and all that. My family has owned 6 Chevys, and they have done well for us, along with our local dealer. But the company does stupid stuff.

For instance, not many people knew until about 3 months ago Chevy had a hybrid model full sized pickup. It's been out in limited production for almost two model years. If I had been an ad exec, I would have pushed that to the front and advertised the hell out of it. It would have brought people in to see it, and even if it didn't sell, you would have had a lot more people on the lot possibly going to the Colorado or the Cobalt if they were looking for something in a gas saver.

[bubs]

Everyone says that the American car companies are behind but its not as easy to turn around a car company as most others. First off, most vehicles take a minimum of 5 years to develop and design. As far as future planning, its pretty much a crap shoot. Toyota is not doing well this year too, if anyone noticed. The only reason they can somewhat beat the domestic companies is because they are more in the market to put forth cheap cars. (pieces of shit) The problems for the big 3 are just a microcosm for America as a whole. In the 50's a the president of GM said what is good for GM is good for America, the same holds true today. So if you pieces of shit still want to buy foreign, go ahead, you will pay in the end though.

[patsopinion]

The fate of this company this company hinges on the Volt more and more everyday....... if they can even survive long enough to release it.

qft

[patsopinion]

This is where my dilemma of whether or not I want to help these companies comes in. Most of these companies are in financial trouble because they were fucking horribly run with awful business plans and it finally caught up to them. Unfortunately, it has caught up to all of them at the same time and is about to ruin our economy because these companies are dumb. I wish it was more spread out just so we could watch these companies burn and fold.

and yet were bailing out these fuckers in the banking industry

its just free money to these fuckholes because as long as you have people in DC getting pay checks from these awful companies the free market system will remain a sham

[underdog]

Everyone says that the American car companies are behind but its not as easy to turn around a car company as most others. First off, most vehicles take a minimum of 5 years to develop and design. As far as future planning, its pretty much a crap shoot. Toyota is not doing well this year too, if anyone noticed. The only reason they can somewhat beat the domestic companies is because they are more in the market to put forth cheap cars. (pieces of shit) The problems for the big 3 are just a microcosm for America as a whole. In the 50's a the president of GM said what is good for GM is good for America, the same holds true today. So if you pieces of shit still want to buy foreign, go ahead, you will pay in the end though.

Cheap Toyotas are pieces of shit? Like Corollas with 250,000 miles on them? Those cars?

But you're right, future planning is just a crap shoot. That's why Honda, Toyota and even fucking Hyundai have been able to do so well, while GM, Ford and Chrysler keep falling further and further behind. It's definitely a crap shoot, and not good research and the lack of awful John Melloncamp songs being shoved down your throat.

The only American cars I've ever owned have been fucking horrible. I'll keep buying "foreign", thank you.

Also, how will I "pay in the end"? By not having my check engine light turn on because I didn't shut my car off while fueling? Or by not having my sliding doors just randomly open by themselves in the middle of the night?

[scottinnj]

The fate of this company this company hinges on the Volt more and more everyday....... if they can even survive long enough to release it.

Too bad it is destined to be a colossal failure. The battery pack is still being researched to hopefully get past the 250 mile mark. It also is by itself, 8,000 dollars of the cost of the overall car. If this thing is marketed for less then 30,000 dollars it'll be a miracle.

Even if you could get the base price to 25 grand, you're looking at a payment (if it is interest-free) of over 500 dollars a month for a 48 month loan, 420 a month for a 5 year term. That is way, way too much for most Americans-even considering the savings in fuel.

[scottinnj]

Cheap Toyotas are pieces of shit? Like Corollas with 250,000 miles on them? Those cars?

For every foreign car topping 200K I bet a Chevy can be produced to match it.

The only American cars I've ever owned have been fucking horrible. I'll keep buying "foreign", thank you.

Also, how will I "pay in the end"? By not having my check engine light turn on because I didn't shut my car off while fueling? Or by not having my sliding doors just randomly open by themselves in the middle of the night?

That's a shame you've had bad luck with domestics. It's the same thing with me and Ford-but my brother swears by them, and he's owned 5 without a lick of trouble.

I hate the "buy American or your a commie" push though. I welcome foreign competition-it taught the Big 3 in the 80s to get off their asses and build good cars.

But the myth that foreign cars are better then domestics is laughable. I personally own Chevrolets, my boss runs Subarus, Hondas and Toyotas. My cars run as good mile for mile as the imports do.

[underdog]

But the myth that foreign cars are better then domestics is laughable. I personally own Chevrolets, my boss runs Subarus, Hondas and Toyotas. My cars run as good mile for mile as the imports do.

That's also why I called them "foreign" cars. Most of them are assembled in North America. I think some Nissans are more assembled in the US than certain Fords or GMCs.

[bubs]

Being assembled in the us is only a small part of the larger picture. The parts companies provide the real variety of jobs in that industry. Yea some fords and chevys are made out of this country but overall the onyl car that can compete with the amount of domestically produced is the Carolla. (is that how its spelled?) Anyway, Im a little tender when it come to this subject because I live in Detroit. Just keep in mind where profits go and all the people connected to the industry.
And there is no way the two companies will merge, there both still just to big to merge without serious concessions from unions and the white collar folks. this is just all talk!:smoke:

[cougarjake13]

It's a total lack of understanding the American market-GM seems to be at least 6 months behind the trend every year and Toyota is right on top of things. The only company worse then GM is Mitsubishi when it comes to properly presenting its product line to America.

The dummies are still trying to hawk Hummers to the US-and we hate them. No Pontiac advertising whatsoever, same with Buick. The only time I've seen a Buick commercial was on ESPN or The Masters, and now that Tiger is out for a while, even the sports channels aren't running them.
Dodge is overpriced, and the trucks are gas sucking hogs that don't offer anything that Chevy, Toyota or Ford don't have.

IMO, if GM can't partner up with another American car company, I'm feeling that my next purchase will be a Silverado or Colorado with a Toyota logo on it. Toyota is hurting too, but has enough clout to take over GM if things keep trending the way they do.



exactly i just saw a commercial foe a new hummer t3 or whatever the hell its called, if it doenst get close to 30 mpg then why buy it ??


and the only time i see buick commercials are ones with tiger in them

[bigfatfuck]

I wish Toyota or Honda built a car that could fit a larger American. They make quality cars but they're for people under 5 foot 3.

[Tenbatsuzen]

It's a total lack of understanding the American market-GM seems to be at least 6 months behind the trend every year and Toyota is right on top of things. The only company worse then GM is Mitsubishi when it comes to properly presenting its product line to America.

The dummies are still trying to hawk Hummers to the US-and we hate them. No Pontiac advertising whatsoever, same with Buick. The only time I've seen a Buick commercial was on ESPN or The Masters, and now that Tiger is out for a while, even the sports channels aren't running them.
Dodge is overpriced, and the trucks are gas sucking hogs that don't offer anything that Chevy, Toyota or Ford don't have.

IMO, if GM can't partner up with another American car company, I'm feeling that my next purchase will be a Silverado or Colorado with a Toyota logo on it. Toyota is hurting too, but has enough clout to take over GM if things keep trending the way they do.

What are you talking about? One of Chevy's primary ad campaigns right now is how the brand has several models with 33 MPG or better.

The other commercial I've seen in heavy rotation is the Escalade Hybrid ad.

[JPMNICK]

gas will be 2 bucks a gallon again soon, and GM will resume it's world dominance.

[scottinnj]

What are you talking about? One of Chevy's primary ad campaigns right now is how the brand has several models with 33 MPG or better.

The other commercial I've seen in heavy rotation is the Escalade Hybrid ad.

My point was that GM is way behind the times. Chevy is the only one running commercials about saving on gas. Seriously, when was the last time you saw a Pontiac ad?

It's good that Escalade is marketing it's hybrid, but when compared to the Lexus Hybrid, if a good EPA is going to make the difference among luxury SUV buyers, then the Lexus will win hands down.

And stop with the Hummer ads. It's a useless vehicle, and is the "evil image" of overpriced, gas sucking American SUVs. Just for publicity sake GM should tank the line and have a press release that the factories making the Hummer are going to be retooled to make gas freindly cars.

[furie]

i like Chrysler/dodge. I sincerely hope that GM doesn't buy/merger with them.