GM and Chrysler considering merger

[N2IXK]

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 percent of Chrysler and 51 percent of GMAC Financial Services, proposed trading Chrysler's automotive operations to GM. The Journal said Cerberus would receive GM's remaining 49 percent 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.

Chrysler spokeswoman Shawn Morgan declined comment.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...G&SECTION=HOME

[CREWZIN]

Hmmmmm. Lets, see. The merging of a Chevy shoehorned into a PT Cruiser...... I think somebody already thought about that.....

[Hooligan]

So then, we do away with the PT and everyone drives a HHR???

I don't think so!!!

[Candyman]

Hey Everyone,

Here's a scary thought!



Candyman

[CREWZIN]

Don. Wow. Speaking as a past owner of a 57 Chevy punched out to a 301, solid lifters, 4 barrel, 4 speed.....I like it. Make mine red please.

[soonercruiser]

I think...I'm gonna......be sick........

[ucantcme]

Wow....

This is saddening.

[cleverklutz]

I sure hope not... yuck. I can't stand pretty much every new Chevy out there, I don't think they'd do Chrysler much good. Maybe it would make the DCX merger look good. Chrysler has ties to VW, Mitsubishi, and Nissan. I'd be happier with those choices. If VW wouldn't run Chrysler into the ground like MB did I'd say that would be what I'd go far. VW AG is a huge company with premium autos (Audi/Porsche) and their own brand is pretty decent too.

My 2 cents.
Ben