Sympatico / MSN Autos (EN): Could Ford and Chrysler build cars together?

New motor vehicle sales up 6.3 per cent in March | Sympatico / MSN News

 

As unappealing as it sounds to have Ford and chrysler building vehicles jointly it seems to make sense....And if it works to Ford`s advantage helping them to survive then why not?

 

Surprisingly it helps everyone if it happened like that. I dont know what i think about that either, sure would be different.

 

Off this topic but sometimes I feel like why wont they just let chrysler corp die off peacefully....Giving out more gov`t bail out money for them is like a quadruple bypass surgery on an 150 year old man with cancer!

 

I see your point there. I guess a few things is, they think by keeping chrysler going, would keep more people in jobs. Also when Chrysler got loans (note loans, not bail out) they did pay them back, so I would think they should be in good standings.

I really know what ya mean though. They dont seen to be thriving as a company, so let em pass on, have a nice service for, and we can keep on (ford) truckin!

 

i agree 100% Fom. the bail money should have been set aside to provide employment insurance for any autoworkers losing their jobs because of a bankruptcy.

 

I think thats a lost situation there myself Sherm.
I wonder which would cost more, the unemployment for the layed off auto workers, or the bailout and letting the auto workers keep their jobs..?

 

i think the bailout cost more. paying unemployment costs 66%(in canada anyway) of the normal wage and they wouldn't have to pay for operational costs, or executive member costs. that would leave the company with basically no costs other than restructuring...

perhaps my methods of thinking aren't proper, but hey... what the gov'ts are doing isn't helping much either

 

Its an interesting idea for sure man.

Good point on the percentage of pogi too, I kinda forgot about that when I posted it.

Will be interesting to see what chrysler will do, if they will end up making a good go at it or fall on their faces.

 

The federal gov't should not be handing out our money to any business big or small. Chrysler and GM or any car company can merge, go under or restructure but not with tax payers money.

 

When it comes down to it I agree with ya Colin.
I have heard/read alot of the arguements that are pro bail out, but I dunno.

I personally think that Gm and Chrysler both would have managed without the bail out money, and it would have been better for them.

Lets also not forget that Ford was asking for money too. Although in the end they didnt get any (and I am glad they didnt) they did come asking with their hands out.

 

if i remember correctly, Ford's reps went to the table in support of the other automakers, not so much with their hands out, but to help them say, "We're in trouble!!!"

had Ford not mortgaged the entire company in '06, they'd likely be in the same boat as everyone else...

 

Your right about them remortgaging.

I thought I read that they were going with their hands out just like everyone, and then after the whole arriving in the jet episode, they kinda said screw it and managed to do it without the bail out money.

I know they werent innocent though, they were (at least at first) asking for some cash.

 

I am not saying I am right but it is one of those things that just rubs me the wrong way so much it makes my blood boil. I don't have a problem with local gov'ts trying to help out companies with various means. But provincial and federal gov'ts are not banks and should not be in business competeing with private business. I am getting off my soap box now.

 

Yeah Colin I agree they arent banks. Seems like the money could/should be spent better elsewhere.

But at the same time, thats just typical.