GM's CEO is planning a trip to Japan to ask Toyota for help to allow GM to buy Chrysler. GM is looking for $10 billion to cover all of Chrysler's debt. If I was in Toyota's upper management, what will you ask GM for in exchange for $10 billion?
I would have GM buy all batteries for their future hybrids from Toyota and some profit sharing from the Chevy Volt. I would have GM rebadge Toyota's for the growing Asian markets. I would also have GM provide Toyota a rolling chasis of a Holden Ute/Pontiac G8 ST and have this made into a Scion xP...
http://www.motorauthority.com/report-gm-...oyota.html
I am reading that if the GM/Chrysler merger happens the only surviving models will be Dodge Ram pick-ups, Chrysler & Dodge vans, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Wrangler. Most if not all Chrysler plants and dealers will shut down and would be sold as another GM product. This is sad news for the folks who will lose their jobs...
I doubt it will happen. I honestly could care less of what happens to GM. I feel sorry for the workers, but that company has been 10 years behind in design for far to long.
When I owned my 1995 Honda Accord, I parked next to a 2002 Chevy Cavalier and mine was STILL nicer looking and didn't have a cheap feeling to it. It's a complete shame how GM has been able to sell crap for so long. My dad has a beautiful 2003 GMC Sierra. The outside is very very nice looking, but then you open the door and you get this cheap plastic old 1990's feel to the interior.
David I do agree with you too, but know that many folks like my in-laws will never buy any foreign car no matter what. GM is making plenty of money but not in the US because of their arrogance expecting their US customers to always buy the cash-cow SUV's and trucks. If the Chevy Volt and Cruze stand up to the hype GM can turn it around and start on a good path of making money. I just hope that these cars will be made here rather than in Mexico as Ford and VW does. More US jobs is my main concern even though I do not support the product...
^ Two comments I want to interject here.
1. Your parents are like many parents. They believe that the cars are more American than a Toyota, but even if you tell them that it's made 100% in Alabama they believe you, but still believe it's foreign because of the name. If you tell them their GM truck was made in Mexico, they STILL believe you but think it is more American. It doesn't make sense to us, but old people don't change their ways. They've had plenty of years to develop their beliefs.
2. GM needs help NOW, not 2010 when the Volt is scheduled for release. Toyota introduced the Prius BEFORE the gas crisis, and now GM is introducing the Volt 4 years AFTER the crisis. GM has continually failed to look forward and it has bitten them in the butt.
The issue with my in-laws is that profits go back to Japan. They know that the assembly and engineering happens in the US.
The $10 billion is to help GM until 2010. I believe that they will stand pat and wait to put out any new models until 2010...