ford and gm were gonna merge???? WHAT? - Page 3

TOMS1SS · 10-13-2011, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

CC Performance · 10-13-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

fielderLS3 · 10-13-2011, 07:29 AM

There really wasn't anything "secret" about the talks. I remember hearing about this back in 2008 when the talks were occurring. If I remember correctly, it was shot down because they realized it would create a single company competing against itself, and the brand management would have been a nightmare.

fbodfather · 10-13-2011, 08:28 AM

believe it or not, that's not the first time it almost happened........

Year was 1912 (....as I recall....) (.....I was just a tyke then...

)

William C. Durant had just parted ways with Louis B. Chevrolet - over differences in what exactly a 'Chevrolet' should be.

The 1911 Chevrolet that is an Icon was more expensive than a Cadillac at the time - Louis wanted a very fast car - with upscale features. Durant, however, wanted the car to be in the low-priced field to compete with Ford.

After Louis and Durant parted company - Durant approached Henry Ford about a buy-out.......

The deal was nearly done - but at the last minute, Henry Ford insisted on cash, not stock............and thus the merger never came to be............

The auto industry has some amazing stories - and it's somewhat incestuous - for instance: Walter P. Chrysler was once President of General Motors (put there by the DuPont family after W. C. Durant was put out of his company for the second time.....) Nash also worked for GM...........

Tigwelder · 10-13-2011, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wakemaker89

No telling what might have happened with the camaro had they merged!

Wow...I like my v6, but if they would put that 5.0 in a Camaro I'll take two...such a sweet motor..pretty much the same design as my 6..just in a v8!Chevy needs to get on the ball and keep up with the competetors.

Camarowguy · 10-13-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Now that's some funny shit right there! Yuck!

Bonanza7 · 10-13-2011, 10:39 AM

Almost happened. Read Bob Lutz's new book. Really good about GM in particular, but the industry in general.

tooslow · 10-13-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comiskeybum2

You guys are hilarious. It would have happened if GM hadnt gotten bailed out. That or GM would have died.

QFT

Rogue Leader · 10-13-2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fielderLS3

There really wasn't anything "secret" about the talks. I remember hearing about this back in 2008 when the talks were occurring. If I remember correctly, it was shot down because they realized it would create a single company competing against itself, and the brand management would have been a nightmare.

I remember hearing rumors of this as well.

I doubt the Government would have let this happen anyway (and especially now), just too big of a company, and if it failed.....

tooslow · 10-13-2011, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

)...just too big of a company, and if it failed.....

...then some other company would have stepped in and filled the void. That's the way a free market economy works, if left alone. No doubt there would have been a considerable ripple effect in the economy had GM failed, but in the long run, this republic would have been much better off, IMHO.

There is a reason survival of the fittest exist in the natural world. It improves the breed over time.

motorhead · 10-13-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I believe I've seen this car in person.

8cd03gro · 10-13-2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooslow

...then some other company would have stepped in and filled the void. That's the way a free market economy works, if left alone. No doubt there would have been a considerable ripple effect in the economy had GM failed, but in the long run, this republic would have been much better off, IMHO.

There is a reason survival of the fittest exist in the natural world. It improves the breed over time.

We don't have a free market economy, hence the bail outs.

Rogue Leader · 10-13-2011, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooslow

...then some other company would have stepped in and filled the void. That's the way a free market economy works, if left alone. No doubt there would have been a considerable ripple effect in the economy had GM failed, but in the long run, this republic would have been much better off, IMHO.

There is a reason survival of the fittest exist in the natural world. It improves the breed over time.

Except we don't have a free market economy, which is why the government examines large mergers. You may be right that the ripple effect would have really large short term implications, but there are possible long term ones. This is why a pure free market economy doesn't exist in this world, and even a place like the UK which is more like one than the US isn't pure either.

I agree with survival of the fittest but you can't speak in absolutes when it comes to money. Externalities happen that are beyond the normal flow of business. For example basically you can be the fittest (Dinosaurs) and a freekin meteor hits the earth and wipes your ass out anyway.

tooslow · 10-13-2011, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Leader

Except we don't have a free market economy, which is why the government examines large mergers. You may be right that the ripple effect would have really large short term implications, but there are possible long term ones. This is why a pure free market economy doesn't exist in this world, and even a place like the UK which is more like one than the US isn't pure either.

I agree with survival of the fittest but you can't speak in absolutes when it comes to money. Externalities happen that are beyond the normal flow of business. For example basically you can be the fittest (Dinosaurs) and a freekin meteor hits the earth and wipes your ass out anyway.

True, but there is a big difference between regulation of an economy and direct intervention to prevent a bad business from failing.

10-13-2011, 07:29 AM	#31
fielderLS3 Drives: 2016 Mazda6, 2011 Mustang 5.0 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Portage, Wisconsin Posts: 4,049	There really wasn't anything "secret" about the talks. I remember hearing about this back in 2008 when the talks were occurring. If I remember correctly, it was shot down because they realized it would create a single company competing against itself, and the brand management would have been a nightmare. __________________ 2022 1SS 1LE (Arrived 4/29/22) "The car is the closest thing we will ever create to something that is alive." . 2022 1SS 1LE (Coming Soon)

10-13-2011, 08:28 AM	#32
fbodfather Drives: Camaros................ Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Seven Fields, PA (Pittsburgh) Posts: 4,523	believe it or not, that's not the first time it almost happened........ Year was 1912 (....as I recall....) (.....I was just a tyke then... ) William C. Durant had just parted ways with Louis B. Chevrolet - over differences in what exactly a 'Chevrolet' should be. The 1911 Chevrolet that is an Icon was more expensive than a Cadillac at the time - Louis wanted a very fast car - with upscale features. Durant, however, wanted the car to be in the low-priced field to compete with Ford. After Louis and Durant parted company - Durant approached Henry Ford about a buy-out....... The deal was nearly done - but at the last minute, Henry Ford insisted on cash, not stock............and thus the merger never came to be............ The auto industry has some amazing stories - and it's somewhat incestuous - for instance: Walter P. Chrysler was once President of General Motors (put there by the DuPont family after W. C. Durant was put out of his company for the second time.....) Nash also worked for GM........... __________________

10-13-2011, 10:39 AM	#35
Bonanza7 Account Suspended Drives: 2010, Rally Yellow, Black stripes Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix Posts: 2,363	Almost happened. Read Bob Lutz's new book. Really good about GM in particular, but the industry in general.