http://money.cnn.com/2007/02/16/news/compa...dex.htm?cnn=yes

I think it's pretty serious. Daimler is said to be unhappy with Chrysler's sales lately. I wonder who is going to buy Ford if it doesn't straighten up.

I've heard its more garbage speculation than truth but who knows we'll see what happens.

....then I wouldn't feel so bad for buying a Chyrsler 300 SRT8 last year.....I would still be in the GM family....



But seriously....why not...kill off Buick and some other brands and bring in something slightly original...

I don't think it will happen. Other than Jeep, Chrysler doesn't have anything to really bring to GM. Unless they buy then just to shut them down, to remove some competition. But GM isn't really in the financial position to do that.

I up there with the last merger deal that the press hyped.

....seriously?....besides the Corvette, the Duramax truck, and a few Caddy's, GM has NOTHING worth considering today.....The Dodge/Chrysler cars are much nicer now....trust me....it KILLED me to buy a Chyrsler.....I have bad mouthed them since childhood....but today....putting out the most interesting domestic cars out there...




You are probably right....press speculation that will never come to pass....but the thought of GM buying companies just to kill competition is a bad one....just bad enough to think they would do it....

Chrysler does have some interesting cars. I seriously looked at a Charger R/T afew month ago, until I drove it. My dads old '74 Gran Torino had better steering feel and both cars had a bout the same suspension feel (floaty). Then I found out that the traction control or stability control or whatever they call it can't be completely turned off. I don't appreciate electronic nannies and I won't buy one. I think my next new car will be a '69 crate Camaro. No nannies, no air bags and I get to "order" it however I like with nearly endless engine and drivetrain options.

Sorry for the hijack - where do you buy a "crate '69 Camaro"? I'd be interested.

Back on topic.

I think it's unlikely. I just can't see 2 failing companies trying to merge. Neither one really has anything the other wants. Both have excess manufacturing capacity - why would they want more? Both have identical product lines (trucks=Duramax/Cummins, sports cars=Corvette/Viper, pony cars=Charger/Camaro (soon), luxury=Chrysler/Cadillac) - why would you want to dilute your own sales?

Like Axoid said, it only makes sense if GM wanted to take technology/brand name and shut Chrysler down. But, they can't afford it.

I can't remember the name of the company off the top of my head that is making them, but I think Year One (and maybe others) sells them. It's a complete new uni-body. Then of course you can buy dors, fenders, hood, trunk etc. Some of those parts may come withc the uni-body, I'm not sure. There are a few parts, like heater controls for example, that you currently can not get reproductions of, but almost every little part is available new. It would take time, but for the $30-$40K it would cost to buy most new cars these days, you could have one hell of a custom Camaro.

According to JP Morgan the asking price would be 14 billion. There are no plans to sell the divisions individually, as it would be devastating to Detroit. The German and American press have said that Daimler has talked with GM about a deal, but that the decision will be made "sometime in 2007". Other manufacuturers that have expressed interest are Volkswagen, Renault-Nissan, and Chinese auto maker "Cherry".