@Triborough: I need to up my meds, or cut them back. Either way, my meds are not at the exact right amount, since when I saw that multi-colored Reliant, I thought "sure, I'd drive that".
@j6r: oddly enough, both stories say the exact same thing- just came to different conclusions. I wouldn't be surprised if they were being forced to reconsider the merger as a qualification for government money. In the government's view, a merger would solve a lot of problems, and if they're given leeway on labor and dealership contracts, it actually could in a crazy roundabout way.
The problem for Dodge is that it would fit absolutely nowhere in the GM brand structure. Nor would Chrysler. With Hummer pretty much gone, Jeep pretty much has a guaranteed place. Hell, we might even get a new Jeep pickup based off of the bones of the H3T. I wouldn't mind that.
Dodge would be a duplicate brand that would overlap with both Chevrolet and Pontiac. And, with the exception of the Challenger/Charger/Magnum/300 platform and the Caravan platform, it has nothing worth keeping. Sure, the new Ram platform is great, but it is completely redundant.
Chrysler, once a luxury brand, is now down to the likes of competing with that other once-a-luxury-brand, Buick. And Buick is in better shape than Chrysler.
In the end, aside from the obvious of Jeep, I think that we would wind up with a new Chevrolet Astro/Venture based off of the Caravan platform, a new flagship RWD sedan for Buick, and perhaps some Saturn or Chevrolet versions to amortize production costs.
Chrysler? Gone. Dodge? Gone.
Does anyone remember a few years ago, when we were predicting this same fate for Ford, while lauding how well Chrysler was doing?
All hope appears to be gone at this point, but the tides can change pretty damn fast, and it ain't over till the fat lady sings.
So hold on tight, we aren't out of the woods just yet...
@pauljones: I see Pontiac gone in favor of Dodge, just by virtue of the Charger/Challenger/300, and the trucks, although I agree, GM doesn't need another truck line. That is; unless they want to make GMC a separate-and-not-equal truck line to the Chevy. Yeah, I know, not in a million years.
From a product differentiation standpoint, moving the Sierra on to the Ram's platform wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. It wouldn't make sense from a business standpoint, though, as it would be one more platform to support. My guess is that the Ram platform gets sold to Nissan, as they are already using it for the next Titan.
As for Pontiac vs Dodge, it's a coin toss, as they both are once glorious brands ruined with terrible offerings for 20 years running. But I would say that Pontiac would win if GM were to take over Chrysler. There is obviously the whole in-group bias thing that Pontiac has to its advantage, plus the fact that the G8 is a better car than the Charger/300, and uses a platform that is more adaptable and has a greater production volume.
@pauljones: I find myself approximately 99.7% in agreement with your analysis. I don't think GM is going to do RWD in a Buick platform ever again though. There would be too many reasons at Pontiac and Cadillac to nip that admittedly interesting possibility in the bud.
@pauljones: Yeah, I gotta agree with you there. I'd like an Invicta. Simply because that's the species name of the imported red fire ant, and you can't kill those little bastards. It'd be good karma.
Those were my thoughts, as well, but time will tell. If it came down to it, a lot of the decision would depend on consumer impressions of the two brands; whichever one is perceived as being better in any way, shape or form wins. The fact that Buick is a strong brand in China, however, may not be enough to save it here in the US. It could wind up being a somewhat similar case to Fiat, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Opel, etc. in that the brands still exist, but are simply not sold on in the US. The way things are going, anything is possible.
The science behind it is the government wants them to declare bankruptcy, in order to renege on the deals they've made, including pensions. Then, when the slate is clean, per se, the feds will give some cash to get by with. At least, this is the way I understand it.
What "deals"? Wake up- GM FAILED, and the pensioners are due NOTHING. Yes it's their faults, because the erosion of GM began 25+ years ago, and there ARE consequences to building shitty 1982 Cimmarons......
What shall the poor pensioners do? Umm, probably the same thing the poor Citibank workers do- "WELCOME TO WALMART", and oh gee, guess I should worked harder back in the day to save and protect for my future.....
@cazin678: Perhaps, in hindsight, pensioners should have squirreled away some more of their money, but to place any blame their way is misguided. They took a job with an understanding, and they did plan for their future. Their plan was just based on those promises that were made to them. You do the same when you work for a company with the expectation that they will pay you for your time at the end of the week. The pension is just a longer term, and outlived the seers' vision for a prosperous company/economy.
Blame the company for making the promise, if you must, but don't blame the pensioners for expecting the company to make good on it.
Washington has nothing but hate towards the Big Three. Media has nothing but hate. General Public has nothing but hate. GM should take Chrysler and tell everyone to pound sand, move to the Caymans and drink it up.
@DoctorNine: I hate to say it, but I agree with him. GM is getting support (at least in words) from every other government that houses a GM factory. They might as well just uproot their head office and relocate to Sydney or Oshawa, since the American government is more concerned with politics and posturing than with getting any real work done.
@DannyBN: unless they might have a way to get rid of the "Jeep curse" (if the Red Sox was able to be rid of the curse of the Bambino, why can't the Jeep curse be eleminated?)
Btw, we won't be surprised to hear additionnal merger rumors, besides the one of an "alliance"...err I mean merger between Fiat and Peugeot [www.leftlanenews.com] some mentions a Mercedes-BMW one (maybe not a merger, perhaps more joint-ventures projects instead)
12/18/08
I suppose they could pick up the minivans, too.
Other than that, the whole company's redundant.
Figure they'd probably sell the Ram trucks division to Nissan, and shut the rest down.
12/18/08
12/18/08
Congress is denying GM.
12/18/08
(seriously.)
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
Clergymen Steal Horrors,
Ar Sorcerer Thong Smelly,
And many, many more.
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
Dodge would be a duplicate brand that would overlap with both Chevrolet and Pontiac. And, with the exception of the Challenger/Charger/Magnum/300 platform and the Caravan platform, it has nothing worth keeping. Sure, the new Ram platform is great, but it is completely redundant.
Chrysler, once a luxury brand, is now down to the likes of competing with that other once-a-luxury-brand, Buick. And Buick is in better shape than Chrysler.
In the end, aside from the obvious of Jeep, I think that we would wind up with a new Chevrolet Astro/Venture based off of the Caravan platform, a new flagship RWD sedan for Buick, and perhaps some Saturn or Chevrolet versions to amortize production costs.
Chrysler? Gone. Dodge? Gone.
Does anyone remember a few years ago, when we were predicting this same fate for Ford, while lauding how well Chrysler was doing?
All hope appears to be gone at this point, but the tides can change pretty damn fast, and it ain't over till the fat lady sings.
So hold on tight, we aren't out of the woods just yet...
12/18/08
12/18/08
From a product differentiation standpoint, moving the Sierra on to the Ram's platform wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. It wouldn't make sense from a business standpoint, though, as it would be one more platform to support. My guess is that the Ram platform gets sold to Nissan, as they are already using it for the next Titan.
As for Pontiac vs Dodge, it's a coin toss, as they both are once glorious brands ruined with terrible offerings for 20 years running. But I would say that Pontiac would win if GM were to take over Chrysler. There is obviously the whole in-group bias thing that Pontiac has to its advantage, plus the fact that the G8 is a better car than the Charger/300, and uses a platform that is more adaptable and has a greater production volume.
12/18/08
12/18/08
I know. And that is why either Buick or Saturn must go. I'm hoping that it is Saturn that goes rather than Buick.
But hey, a guy can dream about a new, RWD Roadmaster. Or Invicta. Or Electra. Or Riviera.
Right? Right?
Or, dare I say, a sexy, slinky, RWD 2+2 coupe that went by the Wildcat name?
Okay, I'll stop smoking crack now.
12/18/08
12/18/08
That's what's holding them back, innit?
12/18/08
Lifetime warranties kind of suck with out a living company to honor them.
As for the Ram thing, if you are referring to the off-chance hope for a Jeep truck, I would still rather have the Jeep.
Although, if things keep going at this rate, I would say that neither of the above are out of the realm of possibility.
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
Those were my thoughts, as well, but time will tell. If it came down to it, a lot of the decision would depend on consumer impressions of the two brands; whichever one is perceived as being better in any way, shape or form wins. The fact that Buick is a strong brand in China, however, may not be enough to save it here in the US. It could wind up being a somewhat similar case to Fiat, Peugeot, Alfa Romeo, Opel, etc. in that the brands still exist, but are simply not sold on in the US. The way things are going, anything is possible.
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
Also, got a link to the actual flickr photo page? Need to add that to favorites and send it to everyone I know.
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
What "deals"? Wake up- GM FAILED, and the pensioners are due NOTHING. Yes it's their faults, because the erosion of GM began 25+ years ago, and there ARE consequences to building shitty 1982 Cimmarons......
What shall the poor pensioners do? Umm, probably the same thing the poor Citibank workers do- "WELCOME TO WALMART", and oh gee, guess I should worked harder back in the day to save and protect for my future.....
12/18/08
Blame the company for making the promise, if you must, but don't blame the pensioners for expecting the company to make good on it.
12/18/08
Washington has nothing but hate towards the Big Three. Media has nothing but hate. General Public has nothing but hate. GM should take Chrysler and tell everyone to pound sand, move to the Caymans and drink it up.
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
Btw, we won't be surprised to hear additionnal merger rumors, besides the one of an "alliance"...err I mean merger between Fiat and Peugeot [www.leftlanenews.com] some mentions a Mercedes-BMW one (maybe not a merger, perhaps more joint-ventures projects instead)
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08
12/18/08