Gm And Ford Discussing Merger...

[Mr. Oizo]

NEW YORK (Reuters) -- Senior executives at General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have discussed a merger or alliance, industry newspaper Automotive News reported Monday.

Citing several sources familiar with the talks, the paper said it is not clear whether the negotiations will bear fruit.

As of now, the two companies are not holding talks, and one source says there is a slim chance that anything will come of the situation, Automotive News said.

GM (Charts) and Ford (Charts) were not immediately available for comment.

The news comes just after Ford updated its turnaround plan on Friday, saying it would cut another 10,000 white-collar jobs, hasten and expand plant closings and suspend its dividend in the fourth quarter.

GM is in the midst of discussions with Nissan (Charts) and Renault about the possibility of a partnership.

Shares of Daimler Chrysler (Charts) edged higher Friday after said it would cut U.S. production through the end of 2006. Toyota (Charts) shares were slightly lower.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/09/18/news/compa...sion=2006091806

[Howie]

Hmmm... does that mean an end to ford holden rivalry

[Mickyb]

Being a Ford fan, I am sickened by the thought of this.

[are33]

Folden

or

Hord?

Holdord

Forden?

Lol i dont see any of them working out

[**JaR**]

lol... hmmm guess that will make the whole V8 supercars rivalry thing a lil interesting

[are33]

lol... hmmm guess that will make the whole V8 supercars rivalry thing a lil interesting

Perhaps it would result in mass outbreak of bogan wars and dreeft battles between vl commos and foulcons..

y0 my commonwhore iz lyk way bettah den j00rs.

NO WAI!!!!!!!!11 ill dreeft j00 iN my foulc0n

[Munna1]

Being a Ford fan, I am sickened by the thought of this.

Being a holden fan, I am sickened by the thought of this.

[Bluprint]

Being a Ford fan, I am sickened by the thought of this.

Ditto for me......

[MK2]

Means they might start making good cars again?

[JaFF]

well the article says they it is unlikely anyway.

If you read the whole thing it syas ford and GM are already developing a 6-speed box together so by the looks they may work together but I'd be surprised if they merged.

[predator]

Wouldn't this mean at the end of the day there is only a small handfull of auto manufacturers worldwide? As GM owns a heap of companies, and Ford the rest?

Doesn't give the consumer much competition, so is not really a good thing.

[Mickyb]

Being a holden fan, I am sickened by the thought of this.

Well, at least we can agree on one thing

[dano4127]

y0 my commonwhore iz lyk way bettah den j00rs.

NO WAI!!!!!!!!11 ill dreeft j00 iN my foulc0n

thats gold!

[are33]

Wouldn't this mean at the end of the day there is only a small handfull of auto manufacturers worldwide? As GM owns a heap of companies, and Ford the rest?

Doesn't give the consumer much competition, so is not really a good thing.

Theres plenty of manufacturers that are merged as well, Mini-BMW, Daimler-Benz (mercedes and chrysler).

Lets just hope they actually start making good cars now.

[Wink]

Here's an article saying it'd be unlikely:

GM-Ford Merger Seen As Unlikely

http://www.forbes.com/markets/2006/09/18/g...s_0918ford.html

Yet a merger between GM and Ford Motor is unlikely to happen and would offer scant benefits for either company, according to one analyst.

"I don't really see anything complimentary about them," said Mark Altherr, an analyst for Credit Suisse, in an interview.

Mind you it's only one analyst..

[qikstagea]

hmm. my just pull up a comfy spot on the fence and ride it out til this all blows over. i dont see it happening. Hope not, anyway. I agree - bogan wars.

[scathing]

Considering Carlos Ghosn is looking at doing a strategic alliance or merger with GM as well, that could pull Ford / GM / Renault / Nissan into one conglomerate.

[mad082]

just because they merged doesn't mean that there would be an end to ford and holden. just look at all the companies that are merged. porsche and volkswagen are the 1 company but make 2 different brand cars. ford already owns (or has major shares in) jaguar, volvo and a few others.

[Mr Italy!]

A merger wont happen, they'll work together to cut costs in Research and Developement but that'll be where the talks end...

[Bliksem]

Introducing the new Mustaro, the Monaroest Mustang evAr!