Google Compares Yahoo "Alliance" to GM and Toyota Non-Alliance
So Google is planning to take over Yahoo’s internet search-surrounding advertising, scooping-up 80 percent of the market. Needless to say, the move has seriously pissed-off Microsoft, which scarfs the crumbs off that particular table, and tried to buy Yahoo’s ad interests before Google (not to mention Microsoft’s experiences on the business end of a U.S. Justice Department (DoJ) anti-trust case). Advertisers, who know a cornered market when they see one, are also chagrined (i.e. litigious). The UK’s Independent (discovered through an ad-free Google alert) reports “The Google-Yahoo alliance is scheduled to go into effect next month, but last week the Association of National Advertisers petitioned the DoJ to block it. The trade group, whose 400 members include Procter & Gamble and General Motors, said it would drive up ad rates and hand too much power to Google.” But wait! There’s more GM, if only hypothetically. “The two Silicon Valley giants have argued in the past that outsourcing Yahoo’s search advertising was akin to General Motors using Toyota’s hybrid technology, which does not lessen the ferocity of competition in the car industry.” Anyone remember Rick Wagoner’s “secret trip” to Japan to talk to Toyota? If only…
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I can see why the advertisers would be peeved, but the newspapers sure could use an internet advertising rate that isn't dirt cheap.
General Motors uses Toyota hybrid technology?
Ford licenses Toyota's hybrid patents. GM and Toyota do have a deal to trade info on future "green" technologies, although I'm not sure anything solid ever came out from it. And, of course, they are joint owners of the NUMMI plant in Northern California, which makes the Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tacoma, and Pontiac Vibe. It's a fair argument, ignoring the specifics-all the automakers have joint ventures, shared products, licensing deals, co-owned plants, etc., with other automakers, even those that are their direct competitors.
For some reason, I don't trust Google; I have a vague sense that their ubiquitous access to information gives them great power, especially if they choose to abuse it.