Rumor: GM and Ford Discuss Alliance, Possible Merger

**ronald_m** · September 20th, 2006 09:27 AM

OT: Soon Toyota will be the #1 car manufacturer in the world.Most americans buy jap cars because of reliability.Gotta grab more toyota stocks.

**niky** · September 20th, 2006 06:18 PM

Toyota is growing fast, but it's starting to succumb to the problems GM and Ford had when they grew too big... poor quality.

Toyota itself is admitting to delaying model releases to enable more development time, to avoid the recalls that seem to have plagued recent models.

Interior quality seems to be going down, too, in terms of materials and fitment.

But I believe Toyota can pull out of it, if they focus less on their outright market share and refocus on quality.

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Neither GM nor Ford need the other one... they just need to downsize and to start spending more on development. GM has a wide variety of sources for technology, and the purchase of Daewoo has filled a gap in their line. Ford lacks only a good source of diesels to complete their line-up.

**squala** · September 21st, 2006 12:19 AM

Like they say, staying on top is much harder than reaching it. Toyota should be able to iron out the recall issues after some time. It's good that they're not rushing things and are focusing on living up to their reputation of great quality.

So the Ford-GM merger has already been dismissed? How about a Toyota-BMW relationship?

**ronald_m** · September 21st, 2006 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by niky

Toyota is growing fast, but it's starting to succumb to the problems GM and Ford had when they grew too big... poor quality.

Toyota itself is admitting to delaying model releases to enable more development time, to avoid the recalls that seem to have plagued recent models.

Interior quality seems to be going down, too, in terms of materials and fitment.

But I believe Toyota can pull out of it, if they focus less on their outright market share and refocus on quality.

-----

Neither GM nor Ford need the other one... they just need to downsize and to start spending more on development. GM has a wide variety of sources for technology, and the purchase of Daewoo has filled a gap in their line. Ford lacks only a good source of diesels to complete their line-up.

I think toyota is on the right track.They did all the safety recalls here in US just to avoid lawsuits just in case something accidentally happen(heck,my sister highlander got a recall letter stating that the floormat needs a new clip,if the clip seperate from the carpet the cover may lean forward the pedal causing interference with the pedal rod)
Ford recently anounces they will cut 10,000 white collar jobs and already cut 4,000 hourly salaried jobs.

**Jun aka Pekto** · September 21st, 2006 06:04 AM

Seems like GM's more worried about Hyundai. They have started airing commercials about their new 100,000 mile warranty which to me is a direct aim at Hyundai.

Also, dropping my kid off at school, I'm seeing more and more Hyundai vehicles on the road. Seeing 5 Hyundai vehicles in a row (spontaneously) ahead of me is something I've never seen before.

**ronald_m** · September 21st, 2006 06:11 AM

Originally Posted by Jun aka Pekto

Seems like GM's more worried about Hyundai. They have started airing commercials about their new 100,000 mile warranty which to me is a direct aim at Hyundai.

Also, dropping my kid off at school, I'm seeing more and more Hyundai vehicles on the road. Seeing 5 Hyundai vehicles in a row (spontaneously) ahead of me is something I've never seen before.

Jun,
I think GM is copying hyundai marketing strategy.

**Jun aka Pekto** · September 21st, 2006 06:19 AM

Originally Posted by ronald_m

Jun,
I think GM is copying hyundai marketing strategy.

Hyundai's strategy seems to be working, then. At least around here, there are a lot of Hyundais. Here in Tucson AZ, there seems to be a lot of Hyundai Tucsons.

**userfriendly** · September 21st, 2006 02:06 PM

GM Ford company, ok yan. We can call the company "Grand Malfunction Found On Road Dead"

**niky** · September 21st, 2006 03:16 PM

Ford GM nalang... "Found On Road Dead, Get Mechanic!"

The long warranty is a good way to get customers back, and it's not a bad idea. Considering most new cars can expect to get to 100,000 miles anyway, the number of customers claiming warranty issues on their drivetrains at 90,000 miles will be statistically small.

And another boost is, you'll have people coming to the dealership for oil changes for a much longer period of time... i.e.: more $$$ for the company.

**mikmik316** · September 21st, 2006 03:32 PM

nakakatawa sabi ni Conan sa show nya when he heard the news that GM & Ford will merge.... GM & Ford execs said....

"Let's do crappy cars together"

**and the audience applaused**