GM, Chrysler said to hold merger talks

This could get weird...

Some people could be driving a Chevy Charger soon... LOL......

For those who are to dense the Chevy Charger line was a JOKE....

GM, Chrysler said to hold merger talks
Companies won't confirm published reports, as struggling automakers cope
with economic downturn.
Last Updated: October 11, 2008: 7:30 AM ET
DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have held preliminary
talks about a merger or an acquisition of Chrysler by GM, according to
published reports Saturday.

The Wall Street Journal, citing people it described as familiar with the
discussions, said Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity firm that
owns 80.1% of Chrysler and 51% of GMAC Financial Services, proposed trading
Chrysler's automotive operations to GM. The Journal said Cerberus would
receive GM's remaining 49% stake in GMAC.

The New York Times, also citing people familiar with the talks, said the
automakers were discussing a merger. The Times did not mention GMAC, a
traditional auto lender hit hard by the housing market downturn.

The talks have stalled because of the recent turmoil in the financial
markets, according to the Journal. Its sources said negotiations could
resume if markets stabilize because both GM and Cerberus want to quickly
divest the assets under discussion.

The negotiations between 100-year-old GM and 83-year-old Chrysler began more
than a month ago, according to the Times. Its sources said the chances of a
merger were "50-50" as of Friday and likely would take weeks to complete.

Both newspapers posted their stories on their Web sites late Friday.

"Without referencing this specific rumor, as we've often said, GM officials
routinely discuss issues of mutual interest with other automakers," GM
spokesman Tony Cervone said.

"The company is looking at a number of potential global partnerships as it
explores growth opportunities around the world," Chrysler spokeswoman Lori
McTavish said. "Beyond those partnerships already announced however,
Chrysler has not formed any new agreements and has no further announcements
to make at this time."

GM (GM, Fortune 500) shares closed Friday at $4.89, up 13 cents, or 2.7%. On
Thursday, they closed at $4.76, the lowest level since 1950.

GM said Friday, in response to the stock price, that it is nor considering a
bankruptcy filing.

"Clearly we face unprecedented challenges related to uncertainties in the
financial markets globally and weakening economic fundamentals in many key
markets, but bankruptcy protection is not an option GM is considering," a
company statement said.

First Published: October 11, 2008: 6:13 AM ET

--
ZÿRiX
(¯`'..(<>..<>)..'´¯)

"ZÿRiX" wrote in message

> This could get weird...
>
> Some people could be driving a Chevy Charger soon... LOL......
>
> For those who are to dense the Chevy Charger line was a JOKE....
>
> GM, Chrysler said to hold merger talks
> Companies won't confirm published reports, as struggling automakers cope
> with economic downturn.
> Last Updated: October 11, 2008: 7:30 AM ET
> DETROIT (AP) -- General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have held
> preliminary talks about a merger or an acquisition of Chrysler by GM,
> according to published reports Saturday.
>
> The Wall Street Journal, citing people it described as familiar with the
> discussions, said Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity firm
> that owns 80.1% of Chrysler and 51% of GMAC Financial Services, proposed
> trading Chrysler's automotive operations to GM. The Journal said Cerberus
> would receive GM's remaining 49% stake in GMAC.
>
> The New York Times, also citing people familiar with the talks, said the
> automakers were discussing a merger. The Times did not mention GMAC, a
> traditional auto lender hit hard by the housing market downturn.
>
> The talks have stalled because of the recent turmoil in the financial
> markets, according to the Journal. Its sources said negotiations could
> resume if markets stabilize because both GM and Cerberus want to quickly
> divest the assets under discussion.
>
> The negotiations between 100-year-old GM and 83-year-old Chrysler began
> more than a month ago, according to the Times. Its sources said the
> chances of a merger were "50-50" as of Friday and likely would take weeks
> to complete.
>
> Both newspapers posted their stories on their Web sites late Friday.
>
> "Without referencing this specific rumor, as we've often said, GM
> officials routinely discuss issues of mutual interest with other
> automakers," GM spokesman Tony Cervone said.
>
> "The company is looking at a number of potential global partnerships as it
> explores growth opportunities around the world," Chrysler spokeswoman Lori
> McTavish said. "Beyond those partnerships already announced however,
> Chrysler has not formed any new agreements and has no further
> announcements to make at this time."
>
> GM (GM, Fortune 500) shares closed Friday at $4.89, up 13 cents, or 2.7%.
> On Thursday, they closed at $4.76, the lowest level since 1950.
>
> GM said Friday, in response to the stock price, that it is nor considering
> a bankruptcy filing.
>
> "Clearly we face unprecedented challenges related to uncertainties in the
> financial markets globally and weakening economic fundamentals in many key
> markets, but bankruptcy protection is not an option GM is considering," a
> company statement said.
>
> First Published: October 11, 2008: 6:13 AM ET

This makes little sense to me. What GM needs is cash, and Chrysler is
losing money. Is GMAC losing more money than Chrysler? It was profitable a
year ago, but I have to assume the home mortgage division is tanking...

AJM
'93 40th Anniversary coupe, 6 sp (both tops)

AJM