Comments on: GM-Chrysler deal to be quietly announced on election night? (Updated)

By: Tim Anders

Tim Anders — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 11:07:37 +0000

Dave, I know you mean well, but I share the sentiments expressed by Dexter. GM has been engineering TRASH for decades. I used to be a Fleet Manager for one of the largest companies in the US. It was the policy of the company to purchase from Chrysler, Ford and GM in fairly equal numbers because it was an American company. I can tell you from personal experience and statistical facts – GM builds TRASH. Ford is a close second and I only bought those two brands because I was forced by policy. I bought Chrysler in the largest percentage I could get away with and they always cost much less to maintain than either of the other two brands.

I will also recall for you one of the worst examples of corporate criminal behavior in the past 50 years: General Motors KNEW their pickup trucks posed a danger of exploding if hit broadside. Their engineering studies PRIOR to product release showed they were aware of the potential for fire, grave injury or death to occupants. They did a study and determined the “fix” would be a $20.00 rubber bladder inserted in to the gas tanks. They chose NOT to include the “fix” in the delivered trucks, preferring to “accept” the potential for injury or fatality. This one act by their corporate leadership should be enough to dissuade anyone from ever buying one of their products. Over 500 people died in fires of GM pickups of that generation. <<< Horrific and unconscionable given the facts.

I do not share your optimistic view of how many of the Chrysler products will be continued. I do not believe the long running feud between GM and Chrysler will result in anything but a total evisceration Chrysler. It is as Dexter said, “…like a death in the family.”.

By: IndianaJones

IndianaJones — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:38:58 +0000

DaveAdmin is right, folks, let’s not jump off the cliff yet. Mergers aren’t allowed if it’s the total destruction of the purchased. GM doesn’t see Chrysler as a competitor to vaporize, as if that would suddenly fix their cash-flow problems. I believe they saw a Chrysler merger as a “too big to fail” opportunity to grab our tax dollars to keep themselves afloat (and get the Jeep/Minivan/Truck/Hemi products as a bonus). Their gamble lost, so they have another trick up their sleeves, though it isn’t the annihilation of Chrysler. Fed says they might speed up the $25B they were going to give them for alt-fuel vehicles (so they can blow it on a merger. ).

How come it’s only the American car companies that are on the brink?

_{»crosslinked«}

By: roy

roy — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 05:14:33 +0000

it will be the biggest injustice in the world if the chysler hemis are put out to pasture….gm has nothin to compete with the hemi nor has ford or anyone else..