Ford/GM merger?

[RANGEREST]

Don't shoot the messenger.

"While GM and Ford both have a strong market share in the United States, Ford has stumbled. It has withdrawn most of its sedans in the American market because sales have shifted from cars to sport utility vehicles, crossovers and pickups. Ford's only bright spot in the United States is its F-Series full-sized pickup, which is the top-selling vehicle in the nation. Ford's sales in China are abysmal and falling. GM's are strong, but it is up against other car companies, both local and global, that need the largest car market to be successful.

Ford's management, under CEO Jim Hackett and Executive Chair William Ford, has shown it can cut costs. It recently*cut 7,000 white-collar workers. That will save $600 million. Hackett has set*total savings of $14 billion*for the five-year period that began last year. He also said the company will invest $11 billion to have 40 electric and hybrid cars by 2022. Not many outsiders believe he can make his goal. Ford may build more electric cars and hybrids, but selling them is another matter. The competition in this market runs from tech companies like Alphabet's Waymo to Tesla, startups and every major manufacturer in the world. There is no evidence Ford is ahead of this wave, and so far, it appears the company is behind it. Confidence in Hackett, in particular, is low.

GM is better regarded than Ford, primarily because of the work of CEO Mary Barra. She has been CEO of GM since 2014. It also has cut costs. However, many outsiders believe it is ahead of most of its rivals in both the electric and self-driving car businesses. GM owns 75% of Cruise Automation, a leader in artificial intelligence of future cars.

GM has two other advantages over most global manufacturers. It is among the leaders in car sales in China. With its joint venture partners, it sold 813,973 vehicles in the first quarter. GM is also the leader in U.S. car sales, with about 17% of the market.

One of the primary hurdles GM would have if it took over Ford is that the market share of the two in the United States would be close to 30%. Either U.S. regulators would need to accept that, or the combined company would need to sell or spin out some of its brands. The most likely of these are GM's Buick or GMC truck business.

While GM may have a future as a standalone car company over the next decade, Ford does not."



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/finan...JSMTAbOgdZdxoQ

[Adamz Ghia]

Wasn’t long ago the same thing was being written about GM.

[Fordman1]

It won’t happen, the Ford family won’t allow it regardless.

More clickbait from the media.

[Citroënbender]

Next up, Apple to merge with Samsung, Wikileaks in talks with Alphabet, North Korea becomes the 51st American state and McDonalds launches an Enviro-Burger made entirely from recycled ingredients?

[cheap]

Maybe this is some cunning ploy by GM to have DJT stop naming and outing them. GM's plant closures have been his focus for some time.

[roddy1960]

No no no no no no.....Can't let that happen can we ?

[LG17]

Wash your mouth out!

[lra]

I'm eagerly looking to see the Ford Commodore take over from the Mondeo.
Maybe Miss Jiggly Bluedress can make it look sexy.

[XD 351 Ute]

Roland Dane wants a Mustang....

Ed

[xeeclipse]

Has anyone seen an LS engine at 200,000km? There's a very valid reason why I despise GM, anything that they have ever built Doesn't go the distance.

[CyberWasp]

[vztrt]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

McDonalds launches an Enviro-Burger made entirely from recycled ingredients?

As opposed to what they churn out now?

[nstg8a]

Gullible....






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Nikked]

Something like this wouldn't be that surprising in the near future...with the way car companies are merging and cutting costs, it might make sense for them to join to protect American manufacturing.

[hayseed]

I'm surprised @kmav23 isn't here telling us all that; his beloved Tesla will render Ford & GM obsolete in less than 10 yrs.....

[Fordman1]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Something like this wouldn't be that surprising in the near future...with the way car companies are merging and cutting costs, it might make sense for them to join to protect American manufacturing.

BS I say

[MethodX]

It would be funny, just to see the reaction of the rusted on crusty's in here.
Companies share engines and platforms all the time.... ford and gm are already sharing a gearbox.

[xeeclipse]

Mainstream vehicles I say colaborate all you like but when it comes to nameplates that epitomize the manufacturer such as MUSTANG... stay the he'll out!!!

[ebv8]

I have been saying this since i heard Holden and Ford Aus are shutting shops
they have the same core values (well had) and they were no longer just competing with each other but they were competing with korea
a true falcadore would have had the best of everything
i'm not saying they should have been an actual falcadore but the same structure with different panels and just use the sames suspension and drivetrain but use there own engines just like supercars COF
they needed to bring back a mid size RWD that cold compete in price with korean models but still have the option for Tickford/HSV to develop the mid size cars with V8's

its all over for aus now so let the US try to save local manufacturing

[Interceptor]

y'all know that it aint the start of april, right?

[Bossxr8]

Why would Ford need to? Still solidly profitable and they have over $30 billion in cash reserves on hand.

They have electric vehicles only a year away, and also now have the tie ups with VW and Rivian for more future EV's. The are well down the road with AV's as well. They have invested billions in that, and have said previously they expect to have a fully autonomous vehicle ready within a few years.

[malazn mafia]

Originally Posted by ebv8

I have been saying this since i heard Holden and Ford Aus are shutting shops
they have the same core values (well had) and they were no longer just competing with each other but they were competing with korea
a true falcadore would have had the best of everything
i'm not saying they should have been an actual falcadore but the same structure with different panels and just use the sames suspension and drivetrain but use there own engines just like supercars COF
they needed to bring back a mid size RWD that cold compete in price with korean models but still have the option for Tickford/HSV to develop the mid size cars with V8's

its all over for aus now so let the US try to save local manufacturing

That’s the exact strategy the Koreans use themselves. A Kia is a downmarket Hyundai, and shares the exact platform and key components to the equivalent Hyundai model in the range, but has different styling and bodywork.

[ebv8]

Originally Posted by malazn mafia

That’s the exact strategy the Koreans use themselves. A Kia is a downmarket Hyundai, and shares the exact platform and key components to the equivalent Hyundai model in the range, but has different styling and bodywork.

if you add the hyundai and kia carsales together they are the no.2 brand in australia not far from Toyota. if they bring a ute here they will beat toyota

[Whitey-AMG]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Something like this wouldn't be that surprising in the near future...with the way car companies are merging and cutting costs, it might make sense for them to join to protect American manufacturing.

Yep , and it ain't even about patriotism really - its more to do with Globalisation and overall market share over different geographies. Not all companies have relevant products in all countries , but when shared , their coverage is exponential.
The latest Fiat/Chrysler - Renault merger intention if it goes ahead will make them the 3rd Biggest Manufacturer in the world overtaking both FORD and GM !

If you cant beat em - join em - the FORD / GM merger may be more necessary ( and realistic ) than we all think.....

[Franco Cozzo]

The real joke is Hyundai G80 Ultimate pricing to be $89K here in Australia:

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...launch-117857/

$90K Hyundai?

[hayseed]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

The real joke is Hyundai G80 Ultimate pricing to be $89K here in Australia:

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...launch-117857/

$90K Hyundai?

They've come a Looong way from the $13,990 throwaway Excel....Of which you still a few getting around..

[Dr Terry]

You'll note how it's not a Hyundai G80, it's a Genesis G80, a different brand.

Hyundai are doing what Toyota did with Lexus. Same company, just an upmarket badge.

Dr Terry

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by Franco Cozzo

The real joke is Hyundai G80 Ultimate pricing to be $89K here in Australia:

https://www.carsales.com.au/editoria...launch-117857/

$90K Hyundai?

Why shouldn,t a top line fully equiped Korean be $90k. They are probably as good as BMW or Mercedes without the snob badge.In reality they mght even be better than the euros

[JasonACT]

A work mate of mine has a new-ish BMW, couple of years old, fast but not M spec. He had complained about a warning on the dash with the brake light. He said if he pushes on the plug in the boot, it works. I said I'd come over on the weekend and take a look.

Sure enough, when I took a look, he was right and it was a "blown like a fuse" thick connector wire in the light's socket that had gone. Pretty easy to fix and he was happy.

Written on the plastic light fitting: "Made in Korea".

He still says I drive a taxi. But I always have a good comeback now.

[PG2]

Originally Posted by hayseed

They've come a Looong way from the $13,990 throwaway Excel....Of which you still a few getting around..

I used to sell Hyundai.

I remember when they were $11,990 after $2000 cash back.