GM?
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Krochus
OK as far as I know GM never had anything to do with Nissan, But a Mercury Villager on the other hand.....
And when it gets better milage and has more power than more "modern" engines (as is the case now) who in the world would care.
I completely agree with you here.
Dude have you been livin underneath a rock, I don't think you could even use the nuts and bolts from an 80's gm truck on a new one the models are so diffrent. A new Chevy truck has about as much in common with an 80's model as it has in common with a new Ford
And when it gets better milage and has more power than more "modern" engines (as is the case now) who in the world would care.
I completely agree with you here.
Dude have you been livin underneath a rock, I don't think you could even use the nuts and bolts from an 80's gm truck on a new one the models are so diffrent. A new Chevy truck has about as much in common with an 80's model as it has in common with a new Ford
Like an ostrich...GM has its head in the sand.
Recently Ford began talks with Nissan.
What has really changed between a Chevy truck from 1986 and now? Same basic chassis design, same basic OHV V8, same basic 4 speed trans, same basic axle wrapping rear end. Same drum brakes in the rear.
Same interior cheap plastic, and fabrics. Same...
Oh...maybe thay finally converted to metric threads in 2006.
While we disagree a bit on this topic...we seem to have some similar interests.
Click...click...BOOM!
Last edited by NumberDummy; Nov 5, 2006 at 01:06 AM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
GM talked with Nissan because Kerkorian wants some sort of merger/sale to realize his value in the shares of GM he bought cheap. There was nothing there GM management wanted to see. Truthfully, there wasn't much Nissan could offer except cash- which they didn't want to give up.
As far as GM's LS family OHV V8's- they put Ford's OHC design on the trailer in terms of performance and efficiency- along with some other highly regarded manufacturers. Chrysler knows this- the vaunted Hemi is just a DCX knockoff of a LS family design.
As far as GM's LS family OHV V8's- they put Ford's OHC design on the trailer in terms of performance and efficiency- along with some other highly regarded manufacturers. Chrysler knows this- the vaunted Hemi is just a DCX knockoff of a LS family design.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by polarbear
GM talked with Nissan because Kerkorian wants some sort of merger/sale to realize his value in the shares of GM he bought cheap. There was nothing there GM management wanted to see. Truthfully, there wasn't much Nissan could offer except cash- which they didn't want to give up.
As far as GM's LS family OHV V8's- they put Ford's OHC design on the trailer in terms of performance and efficiency- along with some other highly regarded manufacturers. Chrysler knows this- the vaunted Hemi is just a DCX knockoff of a LS family design.
As far as GM's LS family OHV V8's- they put Ford's OHC design on the trailer in terms of performance and efficiency- along with some other highly regarded manufacturers. Chrysler knows this- the vaunted Hemi is just a DCX knockoff of a LS family design.
I'm familiar with the Chrysler "semi" Hemi.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
I'm familiar with that article. If you think about it though, what technology could Nissan (or, more specifically, Renault) possess that GM doesn't already have? GM doesn't have a problem designing, building, or selling cars and trucks. The Impala is on track to sell somewhere in the neighborhood of 300,000 units this year, along with 250,000 Cobalts and 200,000 Malibus. The Silverado/Sierra pickups sell about 1 for one against the Ford F-Series- roughly a million units/yr. Nope- sales and technology isn't the problem. Nissan/Renault can only dream about those kind of numbers.
What GM (and Ford) do have a problem with is making money- and that's where Kerkorian comes into the picture. Kerkorian has a long history of buying struggling companies at firesale prices and breaking them up to realize "shareholder value." His last involvement was with Chrysler- and the merger with Daimler was actually a (successful) attempt to keep Kerkorian away from their $1 Billion cash stash he was trying to distribute via a special dividend.
What GM (and Ford) do have a problem with is making money- and that's where Kerkorian comes into the picture. Kerkorian has a long history of buying struggling companies at firesale prices and breaking them up to realize "shareholder value." His last involvement was with Chrysler- and the merger with Daimler was actually a (successful) attempt to keep Kerkorian away from their $1 Billion cash stash he was trying to distribute via a special dividend.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
GM could use:
5.6 DOHC V8
5 Speed O/D trans
3.5 V6
Altima/Maxima inner body structure
Plus other features and technology.
In an article from Automotive News I read years ago..GM stated they were not planning on developing SOHC and DOHC 6 and 8 cylinder engines..(excepting the Northstar)...stating their current OHV's were sufficent.
Oh hindsight!
GM sells 25-40% of their midsized cars to rental fleets.
So talks have failed between GM and Renault/Nissan.
Now Ford has approached them...why I can't understand.
5.6 DOHC V8
5 Speed O/D trans
3.5 V6
Altima/Maxima inner body structure
Plus other features and technology.
In an article from Automotive News I read years ago..GM stated they were not planning on developing SOHC and DOHC 6 and 8 cylinder engines..(excepting the Northstar)...stating their current OHV's were sufficent.
Oh hindsight!
GM sells 25-40% of their midsized cars to rental fleets.
So talks have failed between GM and Renault/Nissan.
Now Ford has approached them...why I can't understand.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,728
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From: Damascus-Boring, Ore
GM's cut their fleet deliveries back drastically in the last couple years. They're now the lowest of the big three in fleet delivery percentages, the actual range is 17-25% now.
GM offers a number of 5 and 6-speed Automatic transmissons (including trucks)- but they find themselves in more "upscale" product lines, like Escalades and Duramaxes. Again, dollars come into play.
Nissan's 5.6 engine is strong...... but the 6.0 Vortec maxx has significantly more HP and torque, and the 5.3 gets better gas mileage. Again, looking at Nissan's sales numbers, it's obvious the buying public wasn't impressed with the high-tech powertrains.
Talks with Ford ended as quickly as they started as well- although I wouldn't be surprised to see some joint-ventures in the future (transmissions, hybrid technology, etc).
Going back to my original theorem, GM's primary battle for survival revolves around making present and future product profitable- the sales numbers are nothing to be bashful about. The only real advantage a merger or buyout would provide is an opportunity to drop-kick some old legacy costs, no small matter.
GM offers a number of 5 and 6-speed Automatic transmissons (including trucks)- but they find themselves in more "upscale" product lines, like Escalades and Duramaxes. Again, dollars come into play.
Nissan's 5.6 engine is strong...... but the 6.0 Vortec maxx has significantly more HP and torque, and the 5.3 gets better gas mileage. Again, looking at Nissan's sales numbers, it's obvious the buying public wasn't impressed with the high-tech powertrains.
Talks with Ford ended as quickly as they started as well- although I wouldn't be surprised to see some joint-ventures in the future (transmissions, hybrid technology, etc).
Going back to my original theorem, GM's primary battle for survival revolves around making present and future product profitable- the sales numbers are nothing to be bashful about. The only real advantage a merger or buyout would provide is an opportunity to drop-kick some old legacy costs, no small matter.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 783
From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by polarbear
GM's cut their fleet deliveries back drastically in the last couple years. They're now the lowest of the big three in fleet delivery percentages, the actual range is 17-25% now.
GM offers a number of 5 and 6-speed Automatic transmissons (including trucks)- but they find themselves in more "upscale" product lines, like Escalades and Duramaxes. Again, dollars come into play.
Nissan's 5.6 engine is strong...... but the 6.0 Vortec maxx has significantly more HP and torque, and the 5.3 gets better gas mileage. Again, looking at Nissan's sales numbers, it's obvious the buying public wasn't impressed with the high-tech powertrains.
Talks with Ford ended as quickly as they started as well- although I wouldn't be surprised to see some joint-ventures in the future (transmissions, hybrid technology, etc).
Going back to my original theorem, GM's primary battle for survival revolves around making present and future product profitable- the sales numbers are nothing to be bashful about. The only real advantage a merger or buyout would provide is an opportunity to drop-kick some old legacy costs, no small matter.
GM offers a number of 5 and 6-speed Automatic transmissons (including trucks)- but they find themselves in more "upscale" product lines, like Escalades and Duramaxes. Again, dollars come into play.
Nissan's 5.6 engine is strong...... but the 6.0 Vortec maxx has significantly more HP and torque, and the 5.3 gets better gas mileage. Again, looking at Nissan's sales numbers, it's obvious the buying public wasn't impressed with the high-tech powertrains.
Talks with Ford ended as quickly as they started as well- although I wouldn't be surprised to see some joint-ventures in the future (transmissions, hybrid technology, etc).
Going back to my original theorem, GM's primary battle for survival revolves around making present and future product profitable- the sales numbers are nothing to be bashful about. The only real advantage a merger or buyout would provide is an opportunity to drop-kick some old legacy costs, no small matter.
Nissan expected to sell 100K Titans a year...they've come close...I believe the Armadas sell around 40-50K units...don't know what it was forecast as.
Titans had many problems in 2004-5 most are worked out....drive one sometime..you'll be surprised..as I was.
While the Titan will never hit more than 200K a year...I can see Toyota doing that figure...even with their new ugly truck.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Alma Arkansas
What has really changed between a Chevy truck from 1986 and now? Same basic chassis design, same basic OHV V8, same basic 4 speed trans, same basic axle wrapping rear end. Same drum brakes in the rear.
3.5 V6
Altima/Maxima inner body structure
Altima/Maxima inner body structure
GM FWD chassis does handle and drive better with no tendancy to torque steer. Of course this could be due to weak V6's
Same interior cheap plastic, and fabrics. Same...
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Yes...I'm well aware of the torque steer of the Maxima (apply throttle while turning left...car turns right...been there)....but I didn't say the whole car...just the inner body structure...GM could then reskin it.
No torque steer in the Murano...btw...same engine and under structure. Wife has one.
Last Chevy truck I looked at (2007 @ Anaheim Auto Show) had rear drums.
What Chevy engine are your referring to?
No torque steer in the Murano...btw...same engine and under structure. Wife has one.
Last Chevy truck I looked at (2007 @ Anaheim Auto Show) had rear drums.
What Chevy engine are your referring to?
Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Complete new modern OHV? So if the short block is just sitting there...I can spot the difference between it and a '49 Caddy 331?
And interior plastic bits do look cheap...just like the Titan and Dodge.
Can't recall a real wood interior in a pickup...unless you go back to the Model T.
And interior plastic bits do look cheap...just like the Titan and Dodge.
Can't recall a real wood interior in a pickup...unless you go back to the Model T.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
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From: Alma Arkansas
Complete new modern OHV? So if the short block is just sitting there...I can spot the difference between it and a '49 Caddy 331?
Answer me this WHY in the world did ford come up with the more expensive to produce and impossible to fit into anything to SOHC Modular V8 only to waste the opportunity with only 2 valves per in %95 of applications?
And interior plastic bits do look cheap...just like the Titan and Dodge.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Probably because it was designed in the 1980's when those features were uncommon...first use of the engine...if I recall was in the 1990 Lincolns.
People here are gonna read this and think it's a duel between a Chevy and Nissan owner...personally I hate the new cars...anything past 1964 is boring...trucks past 1980...do little for me..
Sorry fellow users...it's the car/truck collector in me.
Personally...I'd rather discuss shootin' irons with you...I can see the fur fly now!
People here are gonna read this and think it's a duel between a Chevy and Nissan owner...personally I hate the new cars...anything past 1964 is boring...trucks past 1980...do little for me..
Sorry fellow users...it's the car/truck collector in me.
Personally...I'd rather discuss shootin' irons with you...I can see the fur fly now!