GM and Chrysler
GM and Chrysler sitting in a tree
K-I-S-S- (sigh) It's not worth it.
The stories are circulating the either GM and Chrysler will merge or GM will simply "acquire" Chrysler.
This is just gut reaction at this point, but I don't like it. It may be necessary for the two to survive but it can't be good news.
First off it will eliminate even more jobs, though it may help secure the few that are left.
Secondly in the 1940s and 50s there was concern about GM becoming a monopoly. That is now less of concern because of foreign competition, which really isn't foreign as some Toyotas etc. are more American made than most American brands.
I'm really not sure what I think of this. I am feeling uneasy about it but I really haven't digested it yet.
K-I-S-S- (sigh) It's not worth it.
The stories are circulating the either GM and Chrysler will merge or GM will simply "acquire" Chrysler.
This is just gut reaction at this point, but I don't like it. It may be necessary for the two to survive but it can't be good news.
First off it will eliminate even more jobs, though it may help secure the few that are left.
Secondly in the 1940s and 50s there was concern about GM becoming a monopoly. That is now less of concern because of foreign competition, which really isn't foreign as some Toyotas etc. are more American made than most American brands.
I'm really not sure what I think of this. I am feeling uneasy about it but I really haven't digested it yet.
posted by shoprat at 11:37 PM
15 Comments:
I remember the story of Gen. McArthur sending a request to "..send Bibles..." during his time of managing the occupation of Japan-The Christians didn't --We sent our best business minds instead--
We now have the choice of some of the nicest cars on the road -Lexus-Toyota et al..
When I went to buy my fourth car (I've only had 4 cars - I tend to buy the best and keep it forever -or - at least 15 years!) The GM dealers - did not treat me w/ the same respect as the Toyota/Lexus dealers sooooo- although I really wanted a GM car (family worked for GM as engineers and draftsmen - so felt a loyalty there) I leased then bought my Lexus...and will be driving it for 15-20 years...I like to get my money's worth! :-)
Thank you for stopping by my blog-
Many in Hollywood are "coming out of the liberal closet" :-) Sinese-Cavezel (sp) - Zucker- to name a few...
I had thought about going back to MI-but-have decided that the battle-ground is here in good ol' CA.
C-CS
I hope they keep making Oldsmobile and Buick. Actually all the GM brands are decent, someone else will have to buy the Chyslers. SHAME ON YOU SHOPRAT! I have NEVER owned anything other than GM, Ford, and a Plymouth many many moons ago.
Shame on me? For what? I currently own a Buick and my last car was a Ford Taurus!
I have a Dodge caravan and love it. It gets great milage and can carry me and my posse on ski trips, and also takes me from state to state fixing my silly little heart lung machines so that all those unhealthy mid-westerners can get thier bypass grafts and thier arteries rorto-rootered.
I've had it six years and am not planning on a new car for amother year and a half.
My wife got a Ford Focus a year ago because she commutes 80 miles a day (it's cute! fire engine red).
My baby girl took our '99 Jeep Cherokee up to college in Marquette ( my wife used to drive it, but it's gas milage is caca. Baby girl doesn't need to drive much in college but needs a car that's good in 3 feet of snow when she does).
Jap? fagettaboutit! Captain America drives AMERICAN IRON. It kills me how some Righties claim to be patriotic yet send thier money overseas.
Carol, I'm sorry if that dealership was rude to you. I'm sure that there are other GM dealships (try Saturn) who would love to get your business.BTW- I looked at your website and you are a very talented artist. We could probably be good friends if we didn't talk religion or politics.
SR- I think this merger is a bad idea. GM is a drowning man. It will drown Chrysler to try to hold itself up for one last breath.
After the government fell all over itself to give hundreds of billions to Wall St., it needs to inject tens of billions to save these car makers. Call it socialism if you want. I call it a lifeline not only to an industry, but a lifeline to MI,OH, NY, MN, WI, and several other states.
Did you hear that Colin Powell endorsed Obama?
you know i'm hard core ford...nothing but for me...
aren't both gm and chrysler both pretty much owned by the govt anyway? (bailouts)?
tim-thank you visiting and for the compliment--I had heard that Saturn was doing well-my Uncle helped set up the plant 'down South'...I'll check them out - in a few years...
I -for one-figured Powell would go that route-
I've driven Japanese cars for a long time. Back when I was 18, co-workers had Camaros that broke down and were recalled. I was young and wanted a cheap Toyota truck that would last a long time. I drove that thing for 11 years. Now my wife and I drive Hondas, but they're made in the U.S.
It's globalization now, Shoprat, and I know you're one of the first to realize what's happened to the automotive industry. A lot of the pain, of course, comes from the generous union policies, sorry to say. So, at some point we'll see the U.S. with just a couple of competitive, but smaller, car companies, and they may just well be foreign owned.
It used to be said, "As goes GM, so goes the country."
I have a feeling those days are past (if you'll pardon me for stating the obvious).
I'm with you on this...not quite sure, but a bit uneasy.
Due in part to my job, I subscribe to many major automobile journals. Most of them are echoing your comment; that is to say, it is believed that GM will either assist Chrysler or subsume that company entirely.
Chrysler has been its own worst enemy for more years than I can count. It will NOT be the recipient of another bailout; Bob Nardelli is NO Lee Iacocca.
Historically, until the new 300, Chrysler's styling has been horrendous, their engines unimpressive and ALL their interiors THE worst of ALL TIME.
Chrysler has pimped the HEMI into so many vehicles as to make it a caricature of itself.
You sit inside a brand NEW Challenger, it's the SAME damned interior as the 300 as the Magnum as the Charger! Jesus Christ, Chrysler, how about some THOUGHT? How about some DIFFERENCES?
I'm sorry, but compared to so many automakers around the world, Chrysler DESERVES to die or be assimilated by Borg.
BZ
I don't know what to think about this. I don't like the idea but the US companies have to do soemthing to compete. It certainly doesn't feel good for Michigan, to be totally selfish.
Sorry Shoprat, I meant Christian Soldier. And it was for all the imported cars.
BZ - Resistance is Futile...You WILL be assimilated...
I too am concerned about the Chrysler/GM "merger." And you are correct - Chrysler has been its own worst enemy, but it had lots of help in getting that way. Bob Eaton sold us out to the Germans, and they screwed us over royally in so many different ways that I couldn't even begin to describe (and I couldn't anyway due to confidentiality agreements). Last, Cerberus is looking to unload us for a profit - it's just a matter of timing for them.
Yeah, I work for Chrysler, and I'm worried beyond belief...
Tom: you're right. Cerberus is about to Gordon Gecko you.
BZ
I'm sure you know that Plymouth was discontinued in '01 & Oldsmobile in '04.
I like American too, & owned exclusively American til we got a good deal on a used Daewoo.
I agree that the possible merger doesn't set well. I long for the days of the genuine '57 Bel-Air, or 150's & good ol' Galaxies & Impala SS. (sigh)!
Combine Chrysler and GM and you still have a sick dying company but you bail the venture capitalists.
The jobs are gone.
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