GM and Ford partners?

**spacemonkey** · 09-23-2006, 02:44 AM

The rumor that has been floating around since last week is confirmed. There may be a possible alliance, strategic partner deal in the works between GM and Ford. GM and Renault/Nissan 92 day inquiry has now gone nowhere and is stalled.

Feds wont like it and GM may have to tip toe around anti-trust laws. A pretty big hurdle to climb but im excited:

Good: Ford seems to have a optimistic restructuring plan and they are starting to cut cost. Bill Ford is now gone and the guy who restructured Boeing is in. He has a take no **** attitude about cutting jobs and cost. Drastic cost cutting were implemented recently including buy outs of employees. UAW looks like its giving way and willing to work with auto manufatuers. Ford maybe excercising its right to buy Rover from BMW. Jaguar and Aston martin might be gone. A revamped new line up of cars that will be revamped more often. Pull out of international market to focus on core market (US).

Bad: So everything looks great for Ford except the lower credit ratings it got from investment firms that sent stocks droping even more. Still has alot of outflow of cash. Some analyst say the restructuring plan is too ambitious and longer then what Ford would have liked.

Toyota is a monster...they recently said they want to increase global sales by 10%. Not going to be easy for GM or Ford

What do you guys think?

**L0$** · 09-23-2006, 08:30 AM

I love lamp

**cfitgo** · 09-23-2006, 09:46 AM

Toyota has better watch themselves, they could be falling in into a GM-like trap, where churning out cars is more important than Quality. I love Toyota and all, but the recent rash of recalls is starting to worry me.

As for the "Stalled" Nissan-GM Alliance, it's not dead, well according to the Automotive news blogs, possible talks between Ford, GM & Nissan have been cited....

**Henny** · 11-06-2006, 10:59 PM

it would never happen, they hate each other too much

**Rich** · 11-07-2006, 12:03 AM

Wow, think of all the controversy this would stir up on LS1 Tech and SVT Performance.

**Excelsior** · 11-07-2006, 02:54 AM

Since both companies have been having recent financial troubles, I don't really see the benefit of the two companies getting together. And they would have to be careful about keeping their brand identities; we really don't need another giant mega-corporation that controls a giant share of its market, like Microsoft, Time-Warner, and WalMart.

I do agree that Ford and GM need to concentrate on their core markets and bring up quality and perceived quality, so that the majority of people don't automatically assume that Ford and GM cars are going to break down more often the imports. Get the styling and quality right, and the rest will take care of itself.