What's Missing From the GM-Chrysler Coverage. Allegedly.

DaveAdmin over at Allpar Weblogs is just as unhappy with the coverage of the potential GM – Chrysler debacle merger as your faithful TTAC correspondents. But for different reasons. Apparently, it’s OK for the mainstream press and armchair analysts to suggest that this is a done deal, but they don’t “get it” when it comes to what might come next. In the main, DaveAdmin reckons they’re all guilty of the sin of omission. “No article I have seen suggests that maybe, because the Dodge trucks are clearly superior (especially in Class 3-5), that GM might shift over to Dodge’s designs. Only one mentioned the Dodge trucks in any way other than ‘to be canned’ at all, and that was to point out the bad timing of their launch. Ford’s big, trucklike Flex, Toyota’s Tundra (with one factory already being converted to other uses), and Ford’s upcoming F-series were apparently examples of good timing. No article I’ve seen mentions the Hemi except disparagingly, as in ‘dummies make V8s when people don’t want them any more.’ (Four years ago.) Never mind that trucks still need V8s and the Hemi is best in class, especially in variable cam form. No article I’ve seen mentions the Phoenix engines or the dual-clutch transmission technology. The latter, to be fair, appears to be dead at the moment, as Chrysler chose to cancel their launch by picking a fight with Getrag and abruptly canceling all talks.” Yeah, to be fair. It gets better…

“No article I’ve seen mentions the possibility that maybe GM would keep the Dodge and Jeep brands alive, and drop Pontiac and/or Buick. I really don’t think the Chinese will care if Buick disappears from the United States, honestly. Nor do Americans still seem to think of Pontiac as the sporty brand, despite the G8, which could live on as the Dodge Charger. Or not.” Hey! That’s our line! Anyway, bravo to DaveAdmin for setting us straight on who’s really calling the tune here. “Cerberus owns Chrysler and it may soon control a large enough chunk of GM to call the shots, even as its spokesmen profess helplessness – or, as they prefer to do, remain silent, and allow pundits to cover the wrong game.” [thanks to .hmmessage P {margin:0px;padding:0px;} body.hmmessage {font-size:10pt;font-family:Tahoma;} Stingray for the link]