Nissan/Renault Alliance: GM Outgoing, FMC Incoming

[Variance]

Nissan/Renault Alliance: GM Outgoing, FMC Incoming

At least, it looks that way:

Carlos Ghosn's Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. may start talks with Ford Motor Co. as prospects fade for a link with General Motors Corp., two people with knowledge of the discussions said.

Executives from the Renault-Nissan team and Ford have been in touch in the past month about exploring a possible link, according to the people, who asked not to be named because the proceedings are private. William Clay Ford Jr. initially called Ghosn in July to discuss a partnership if the GM-Ghosn talks led nowhere, three people familiar with the matter said last month.

Read "Ford, Ghosn May Talk as GM-Renault Fades, People Say" @ Bloomberg

[Northstar]

Why does Nissan want any sort of alliance? Ford has more problems than it's worth to form some sort of alliance with.

[Drew Dowdell]

Why is Nissan acting this desperate?

[Variance]

I don't remember about GM but Ford was the one that initally contacted Ghosn. Not vice-versa.

[FAPTurbo]

Christ, he looks evil in that picture...

Actually, I knew he looked like someone familiar...

Edited September 23, 2006 by Captainbooyah

[GMman]

The two U.S. carmakers are considering alliances after Detroit-based GM lost $10.6 billion last year and Ford lost $1.44 billion in the first half of this year as buyers switched to models from Toyota Motor Corp.

For those out there that think there isn't a media bias against American cars, read that!! When I read that, is sounds like GM and Ford lost money due to people 'switching' to toyota. That's horse-$h!.

[bcs296]

For those out there that think there isn't a media bias against American cars, read that!!  When I read that, is sounds like GM and Ford lost money due to people 'switching' to toyota.  That's horse-$h!.

196901[/snapback]

Is it really? My neighbor, a LONG time Jeep Grand Cherokee buyer (3 in the 10 years I've been her neighbor), went to trade in her Jeep for a new one as she usually does and came home with a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

[Drew Dowdell]

Is it really? My neighbor, a LONG time Jeep Grand Cherokee buyer (3 in the 10 years I've been her neighbor), went to trade in her Jeep for a new one as she usually does and came home with a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

197329[/snapback]

A. Jeep is owned by Chrysler.... and Jeep is one of it's most stable brands.

B. Once does not a pattern make.

C. Ford and GM lost money to legacy costs. GM had it's best year <in terms of units moved> in something like 20 years in 2005.

[GMman]

Is it really? My neighbor, a LONG time Jeep Grand Cherokee buyer (3 in the 10 years I've been her neighbor), went to trade in her Jeep for a new one as she usually does and came home with a Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

197329[/snapback]

And your point is....?

[SoCalCTS]

I don't remember about GM but Ford was the one that initally contacted Ghosn. Not vice-versa.

196846[/snapback]

Ford has new leadership since then. I doubt they would want to be part of the Nissan-Renault mess. the new head of Ford is the guy that turned Boeing around.

[Variance]

Ford has new leadership since then. I doubt they would want to be part of the Nissan-Renault mess. the new head of Ford is the guy that turned Boeing around.

199547[/snapback]

I haven't seen Mullaly rule it out.

[bcs296]

And your point is....?

199436[/snapback]

Sorry, I didn't realize I had to spell it out word for word.

My point is that people ARE switching from American cars in general to Toyotas.

[bearrunner44]

My point is that people ARE switching from American cars in general to Toyotas.

A sample size of one isn't all that meaningful. I know someone who traded in a Toyota Camry for a Kia, but that doesn't mean Korea is taking over the entire auto market. Yet.

[CaddyXLR-V]

Sorry, I didn't realize I had to spell it out word for word.

My point is that people ARE switching from American cars in general to Toyotas.

200135[/snapback]

People are switching from all brands. Most people don't stay loyal anymore. Do you think no one traded in a Toyota for an American car?

[Satty]

Sales figures over the last few years show that people are buying more imports (especially Toyota) and fewer domestics. I dont see what part of that is a media bias.