[FWDLK] FW: [FWDLK] GM to buy Chrysler Group?

The Chrysler Group is getting slammed by auto critics including Consumer Reports for its use of cheap materials especially regarding interior components (dashboards, door inserts, and trim) stealing the unwanted title from GM. There is also extreme cost cutting in an effort to return more profit per vehicle: engine and transmission choices are almost non-existent. One can barely find a manual transmission! This is just another give-away to the import brands—where most of the “under 21s” are already—of folks like myself who do not want an automatic. I guess that I’ll see a new Camry SE sandwiched between by two Dodge Ram trucks…

Forwardlook content: my ’62 Le Baron is getting a new transmission in a few weeks!

From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List [mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Brent Burger
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 12:08 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] GM To Buy Chrysler?

I don't think I'll hold my breath just yet that we'll see new fins or chrome at Mopar dealerships in my lifetime. DeSoto died Nov. 30, 1960, and the whole corp followed about ten years later. The day Chrysler builds exciting cars like they did in 57 or 67 is the day they won't need financial assistance. Until then, just more jellybeans and bars of soap.

At least, that's how I see it. :-P

Brent

----- Original Message -----

Here is some more "News" if you haven't seen it before.

GM hardly gets a mention here ...

Tom S

From Automotive News:

Two of Wall Street's biggest financial Bigfoots stomped through
Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters last week, kicking a huge set of
tires.

While General Motors stalks Chrysler, at least six private equity
groups also are in the hunt. They include the colossal Blackstone Group, with
its $125 billion war chest, and giant Cerberus Capital Management,
which is partnering with Appaloosa Management to buy Delphi.

Both came knocking on Chrysler's door, checking out the hardware,
combing through the numbers and quizzing Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda and
other top executives.

It's easy to imagine how a GM takeover would play out - products,
factories and dealer networks would be consolidated. But what if a
secretive private firm took control of Chrysler?

For one thing, the dealer network could get a lot smaller a lot faster.
There could be tougher dealings with suppliers, perhaps a smaller r&d
budget and probably fewer halo cars.

It also could mean a new Chrysler management team. But private equity
ownership might also lead to a tight, focused, leaner, meaner Chrysler
-
like the one we used to know.

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