Which two should merge?

bmer · 10-03-2007, 02:11 PM

The golden days of American car industry are now long gone as the once great Big Three are struggling with their declining sales. We have heard reports of discussions between the three Detroit companies but nothing more than small forms of co-operation has been announced.

I thought it would be interesting to play with the idea of two of them merging although currently it looks like a marginal possibility. If we ignore the antitrust issues and assume that Daimler would give up on its 20 % share if Chrysler is to be merged, which two would you like to see join their forces and why? Also which brands do you think the new company would use and which ones would they drop?

zetableh · 10-03-2007, 05:47 PM

I'ma gonna go with none of them. They all should stay seperate.

bmer · 10-03-2007, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zetableh

I'ma gonna go with none of them. They all should stay seperate.

Let's assume they can't. Which two IYO should merge in that case?

EnI · 10-03-2007, 06:09 PM

All three of them.

The problem of US carmakers: zillion different platforms, zillion different engines, zillion brands compromised by brand-engineering.

Solution: modular platforms, same engines with different power output (tuning difference), kill / sell redundant brands, focus on core brands / models.

bmer · 10-03-2007, 06:23 PM

I'd be interested to hear all of your thoughts on why you think the two companies you chose should merge and which brands should the new company keep after the merger?

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnI

Solution: modular platforms, same engines with different power output (tuning difference), kill / sell redundant brands, focus on core brands / models.

I agree with those things you mentioned. They should also stop selling the same car/truck as numerous rebagded models.

The Artist · 10-03-2007, 07:02 PM

why isnt there a option wich says i dont care any way..
but a merger would be good..
im gonna say GM and Chrysler though
i think ford can manage..

donau · 10-03-2007, 09:38 PM

GM and Ford would result in too much redundancy while Ford and Chrysler could probably complement one another better. Just a gut feel looking at the cars they produce.

Choleric · 10-03-2007, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmer

I agree with those things you mentioned. They should also stop selling the same car/truck as numerous rebagded models.

I agree with that.

GM should cut every thing but the Chevy, Pontiac, and Cadillac brand (base, performance, and luxury, respectively).

Ford needs to dump Mercury, and put more into the Lincoln brand.

Chrysler should either be cut or molded into the luxury brand of Dodge.

atuv · 10-04-2007, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Artist

why isnt there a option wich says i dont care any way..

My thoughts too,i never cared for any of them

bmer · 10-05-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Artist

why isnt there a option wich says i dont care any way..

Quote:

Originally Posted by atuv

My thoughts too,i never cared for any of them

If you don't care, you don't vote. Simple as that.

View Poll Results: Which two would you like to see merging?
GM and Ford	6	33.33%
GM and Chrysler	6	33.33%
Ford and Chrysler	6	33.33%
Voters: 18. You may not vote on this poll

10-03-2007, 02:11 PM	#1
bmer Devotee Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 2,906 Thanks: 1,547 Thanked 669 Times in 405 Posts	Which two should merge? The golden days of American car industry are now long gone as the once great Big Three are struggling with their declining sales. We have heard reports of discussions between the three Detroit companies but nothing more than small forms of co-operation has been announced. I thought it would be interesting to play with the idea of two of them merging although currently it looks like a marginal possibility. If we ignore the antitrust issues and assume that Daimler would give up on its 20 % share if Chrysler is to be merged, which two would you like to see join their forces and why? Also which brands do you think the new company would use and which ones would they drop?

10-03-2007, 05:47 PM	#2
zetableh Advocate Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Connecticut/New York Posts: 708 Thanks: 184 Thanked 87 Times in 50 Posts	Re: Which two should merge? I'ma gonna go with none of them. They all should stay seperate.

10-03-2007, 06:09 PM	#4
EnI Aficionado Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 4,905 Thanks: 124 Thanked 1,737 Times in 840 Posts	Re: Which two should merge? All three of them. The problem of US carmakers: zillion different platforms, zillion different engines, zillion brands compromised by brand-engineering. Solution: modular platforms, same engines with different power output (tuning difference), kill / sell redundant brands, focus on core brands / models.

10-03-2007, 07:02 PM	#6
The Artist Expert Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Sweden Gothenburg Posts: 13,186 Thanks: 257 Thanked 1,235 Times in 678 Posts	Re: Which two should merge? why isnt there a option wich says i dont care any way.. but a merger would be good.. im gonna say GM and Chrysler though i think ford can manage..

10-03-2007, 09:38 PM	#7
donau Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 1,322 Thanks: 194 Thanked 81 Times in 65 Posts	Re: Which two should merge? GM and Ford would result in too much redundancy while Ford and Chrysler could probably complement one another better. Just a gut feel looking at the cars they produce.

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