General Motors Ford?

[bathurst77]

... please consider ...
In the early 60s Holden Australia made more cars per year then all of Japan. Now Toyota makes more cars per day then all of Australia does per year.

In Australia and USA in the "big 3" were Ford/GM/Chrysler. Top 3 selling companies. Now in both markets Toyota has taken number two from Ford, and is sniffing on GMs pole spot, Chrysler US staggers and is currently going a divorce from Daimler-benz.

For many years Ford USA has been "the F100" company. The f100 (and its Fxxx variants) were the number 1 selling vehicle Ford had, and were the backbone of its success. Now with "gas" prices tipped to hit US$4.00 per gallon, sales of the F series have finally stalled and Ford is suffering.

For many years now neither Ford nor GM have made a profit selling cars. Both companies have stated that they lose money on cars and make money thru finance. Ford Credit is fords most profitable division. Similarly for GM.

Both Ford and GM shares are now not much above "Junk Bond" status, and their credit ratings are very poor.

SO how long before Ford and GM decide the best way to fight Japan (especially Toyota) is to share R and D and models between the two of them?

Looking further down the track how long before the two struggling giants merge to become one company?

What would then happen to Holden and Ford Aust?
One company with two divisions? (similar to the many divisions of GM and Ford stateside?)
Would a future Falcon be a badge engineered Commodore?

Interesting comment in "Wheels" recently, where the head of Toyota in Japan said the car company that Toyota fears most is Hyundai.

Just a mornings naval gazing here.

[jcxr]

Over my dead bbb AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!!!!!!

[bathurst77]

"In Australia and USA in the "big 3" were Ford/GM/Chrysler. Top 3 selling companies"
That should have read
In Australia and USA in 60s and 70s, the "big 3" (Top 3 selling companies) were Ford/GM/Chrysler.

[Gobes32]

a falcon chassis with imported LS2 motor, hmmmmm.......... could be good?

[Stefan]

Will it be Folden or Hord? Falcodore or Comalcon? :

[R0BD0G]

shouldnt this be in the pub

[Scott]

Would be a Crapford me thinks. Selling cars, whilst right up there, is as mentioned not what it's all about. Recurring revenue is what makes a company tick these days and finance/parts/service fall right into that category. The direct link is that in order so get any of these income streams you first must move stock out the door. Whilst it would be nice to make money on selling cars, the reality is the actual car is just a means to an end - selling the other stuff. Losing money on every sale doesn't matter so much if the other streams are being sold with sufficient profit to cover both GM expectations and the losses incurred on the production line.

Making cars is just an overhead (like paper, electricity, wages etc) associated with selling the rest.

It seems we inch closer to losing our big rwd's every time the sun comes up.

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

I can see a time in the not to far away future (the next 10 years) where there will be no large rear wheel drive performance based cars of today , on showroom floors! People will start turning more and more to the oldschool muscle, and lets face it , the stocks of parts available in wreckers and such will last not very long at all, so owning a muscle car of yesteryear will become a pleasure of the filthy rich ! Its already starting to happen. So i am getting my fill of gear now , so I will be able to drive real cars till im not here anymore !

[robjh80]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

Interesting comment in "Wheels" recently, where the head of Toyota in Japan said the car company that Toyota fears most is Hyundai.

And so they should.....

Hyundai is South Korea's largest car manufacturer and "currently" the 6th largest in the world, it is projecting sales of 2.7 Million vehicles for 2007 with profits up 13.5% from 2006.........this at a time when Ford/GM are fast losing money and sales in a "supposedly" declining market.

Interesting read here.........

http://www.drive.com.au/Editorial/Ar...eID=22444&vf=1

[bigAl]

Doesnt suprise me, they are years behind other car makers technology, features, build qaulity ect.
Plus the resale on AUS and US are horried.

[AussieJason]

It will probably happen, though that may not save GM and Ford in the long run. By the time any merger did occur it would be like shuffling deckchairs on the Titanic.

[[Tonko]]

Originally Posted by bathurst77

... please consider ...
Just a mornings naval gazing here.

Slow day at work 'eh?