Question of the Day: Should The Big 2.8 Just Merge?
Here's a QOTD that doesn't involve me pumping gas… Yesterday we heard news that Ford and the General are talking about collaborating on an engine. Today we see that there's a 95 percent chance that one of 'em will go bust sooner than later. They already work together (to some extent) on transmissions and they all share suppliers. So why not just make like Ze Germans and merge? Take VW/Porsche as an example. Volkswagen owns Audi as well as every other non-French make in Europe. And while the whole story is murky, Porsche now owns Volkswagen. So, if Porsche wants a V6 or an SUV they just take what they need. Simple. With Detroit in a perpetual game of chase the Japanese, wouldn't it make sense to own up to their failings (stop laughing), pool their collective resources and start really competing on a worldwide scale? Instead of three full-size pickups, offer just one. Fusion, Malibu, Sebring (OK, you can laugh at that last one)– none are as good as the Camcord and they only steal sales from each other. Besides, the Fusion and Sebring are essentially rebadged Japanese cars anyhow. With one big Detroit taking its A game to the world stage, at least they'd have a chance. Right?
Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.
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Two words: British Leyland We talk a lot about the 2.8 learning from their history. Well, don't forget the rest of the world's history. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Leyland
re: "toxicroach / August 5th, 2008 at 8:54 pm Mmmm… three dysfunctional corporate cultures, three disparate engineering squads, four times the debt, 6 times the lawsuits, 8 times the number of models they need. Makes AOL Time Warner look like a super idea even in hindsight." "Hoosier Red / August 5th, 2008 at 9:03 pm Would a drunken man have a better chance of making it across a busy highway if tied to two other drunken men?" "enderw88 / August 5th, 2008 at 9:15 pm Hey, they could rename the merged company “American Motors”!!!" three in a row. right on the mark. truly, more wit and wisdom than any other website i read. seriously. that's why i love this site and why i keep coming back for more.
Let them merge then we only have to face one bankruptcy crisis in the future instead of two!