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View Full Version : GM and Ford Merger Could be on the Horizon & FCA Proposes Merger With Renault



Scrape
05-29-2019, 08:15 AM
https://speedsociety.com/generalmotors-ford-merger-soon/

Today, news has broken of the potential FCA merge with Renault (https://speedsociety.com/fca-proposes-shocking-merger-renault/). The idea would be to bring together their strong suits and essentially share markets. Why would anyone want to do this? Why not keep all of the profits in-house? As it turns out, the latest technology that the industry is exploring is rather expensive. It’s even too expensive for some of the titans of industry to be able to grip themselves. Any way we slice it, the industry seems to be demanding some sort of self-driving option along with an electric option. These require monumental investments of capital.
The thought seems to be that sharing resources or markets would make sense in the long run. If this merger were to come to fruition, the company formed would be the third largest in the industry. Because the move would bump General Motors out of third place, the rumor mill has started grumbling.
It’s important to note that the following is entirely speculative in nature. Neither General Motors (https://www.gm.com/) nor Ford (https://www.ford.com/) has as much as muttered a peep about an alliance. However, with the way that things are shaping up, some analysists seem to think that it’s at least worth talking about.
Douglas A. McIntyre of 24/7 Wall St. seems to think that maybe a merger is coming. His argument centers around the idea that with Ford stumbling along with this new monster to compete with. Because of these factors, maybe creating a monster of their own makes sense. When teams are being formed, it could be quite difficult to compete on your own. This is the mindset that the argument behind the merger seems to take on.
Mcintyre argues that “While GM may have a future as a standalone car company over the next decade, Ford does not. It’s market cap is down 42% over the past five years, while GM’s is close to flat. The savings in a combination would be well into the billions of dollars. A marriage of the two also could compete effectively with Toyota, VW and perhaps the new Fiat Chrysler and Renault combo.”
Long story short, there are some in the camp that Ford simply won’t be able to keep up. When combined with the fact that titans are being formed, perhaps the smartest move is to combine forces. The General might even be open to a boost if this FCA and Renault merger gains a serious head of steam. Only time will tell what actually happens. For now, at least, the early speculation seems to be sniffing out the most unlikely of alliances.


https://speedsociety.com/fca-proposes-shocking-merger-renault/

In a move that some are calling a “shock,” Fiat Chrysler automobiles (https://speedsociety.com/chrysler-following-pontiacs-footsteps-ceo-says-the-brand-is-soon-to-be-cut/) has proposed a merger with another automaker. It seems as if the idea is for FCA to tap into some of Renault’s (https://speedsociety.com/renault-just-dropped-self-driving-living-room/) European resources and vice-versa. In an effort to become more widespread, the move would try to integrate Renault (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renault) into American culture as much as FCA’s cars into European culture.

The answer to any merger is going to revolve around their ability to stay afloat. With the market feeling a lot like it did back in the bailout days, maybe a merger is the best option for all. Perhaps a Ford and Chevrolet merger isn’t the strongest match. However, we wouldn’t be shocked to hear some more serious rumors to come. Perhaps one or the other will combine forces with an overseas producer. GM merger with ford looks more likely than ever.

(https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/gm-merger-with-ford-looks-more-likely/ar-AAC1TSR)
The release stated “Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. has today delivered a non-binding letter to the Board of
Groupe Renault proposing a combination of their respective businesses as a 50/50 merger.”
They would continue to discuss things like identifying potential geographies where collaboration would make sense. The notice also included improving capital efficiency and talking about future markets. Among those mentioned were “connectivity, electrification and autonomous driving.”
It appears as if this is a stern case of a “two heads are better than one” mentality. The merger isn’t supposed to close any plants and could also save the companies billions by combining resources. In fact, our friends over at Motor Authority have reported that it could make them one of the world’s biggest automakers. Motor Authority (https://www.facebook.com/MotorAuthority/) elaborated, telling us that “Should any merger between FCA and Renault take place, we’d be looking at an automaker with 8.7 million annual sales, which is behind only Toyota and VW Group which both have around 10 million sales.”
It seems like automotive trends in vehicles aren’t the only thing changing. Not only are automakers having to consider the vehicles they produce but also the way that they do business. The details of what exactly will change with a merger like this have yet to fall in place. The folks at FCA seem optimistic that it could help to bolster the performance of both entities in a variety of areas, though. Only time will tell what’s to come for both companies.
(https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/gm-merger-with-ford-looks-more-likely/ar-AAC1TSR)

ZR
05-29-2019, 08:23 AM
Interesting read.

fast Ed
05-29-2019, 08:50 AM
I wouldn't say that comes as a shock. For several years before he passed away, former FCA chairman Sergio Marchionne was trying to make a connection with other major manufacturers, but wasn't getting any bites.

Ford has already announced an alliance with VW earlier this year, not a merger but a sharing of resources.

https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2019/01/15/volkswagen-ford-alliance.html



cheers
Ed

hammerhead
05-29-2019, 10:51 AM
Nice read mergers are pretty common in business for many reasons - I think for most involved it will be to break into news markets and share tech - tech I changing so fast I don't think many are ready for it. California for example has threatened to ban the I the internal combustion engine to confer trumps proposed plans on pollution - interesting times - I believe after 2020 things I'm the industry will develops very quickly. In some countries electric sales have already moved ahead of conventional vehicles due largely to government incentives. If you want a big v8 might not want to wait too long - I remember Carol Shelby stating once something like "Ford is doing some fantastic things - enjoy it while its here because it won't last long." All speculation on my part...

stangstevers
05-29-2019, 12:22 PM
Musvette

RedSN
05-29-2019, 12:25 PM
People are already shooting each other over Chevy vs Ford.
http://www.torontomustangclub.ca/forums/showthread.php?14978-Ford-vs-Chevy-argument
Can't imagine if they ended up merging.

fast Ed
05-29-2019, 12:56 PM
Funny thing is, back in the mid-2000s when some major changes were starting to happen in the industry (and to the American economy), Ford's new president at the time Alan Mulally had gone to GM and Chrysler to see if either had interest in a merger, and got rebuffed. Then when the financial meltdown came, and Ford had prepared themselves better for it, those two companies came to Ford asking the same question at which time he told them to pound sand. The book American Icon is an interesting read about that time period in the auto industry, specifically Ford.

stangstevers
05-29-2019, 01:22 PM
People are already shooting each other over Chevy vs Ford.
http://www.torontomustangclub.ca/forums/showthread.php?14978-Ford-vs-Chevy-argument
Can't imagine if they ended up merging.

World peace

stangstevers
05-29-2019, 01:25 PM
If I was a CEO I think I'd look to acquire or merge with technology and infrastructure companies. As well as work with other makers and governments to standardize charging interfaces.

hammerhead
05-29-2019, 01:37 PM
Funny thing is, back in the mid-2000s when some major changes were starting to happen in the industry (and to the American economy), Ford's new president at the time Alan Mulally had gone to GM and Chrysler to see if either had interest in a merger, and got rebuffed. Then when the financial meltdown came, and Ford had prepared themselves better for it, those two companies came to Ford asking the same question at which time he told them to pound sand. The book American Icon is an interesting read about that time period in the auto industry, specifically Ford.

Some folks I've worked with around the meltdown merged to make it thru and are still working together today - yes ford did well busting out of that time I will check that book out

hammerhead
05-29-2019, 01:38 PM
People are already shooting each other over Chevy vs Ford.
http://www.torontomustangclub.ca/forums/showthread.php?14978-Ford-vs-Chevy-argument
Can't imagine if they ended up merging.

Pickup truck owners are a different breed...lol:stickpoke:

hammerhead
05-29-2019, 01:40 PM
Many of the parts on my s550/look similar if not are the same as my buddies older hellcat charger

Chinga
06-04-2019, 10:36 AM
Renault to approve merger with Fix It Again Tony.

https://www.ctvnews.ca/autos/nissan-odd-man-out-in-partner-renault-s-fca-merger-decision-1.4450544

fast Ed
06-06-2019, 08:48 AM
Now it's off apparently, French political climate was too much to navigate (Renault is partially state-owned I believe)

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/windsor/fca-renault-merger-1.5164254

stangstevers
06-06-2019, 10:35 AM
Just wait a few years and they'll be able to buy Tesla Motors pennies on the dollar once it finally goes under.

Ponyryd
06-06-2019, 10:21 PM
^FCA and GM are the ones keeping Tesla alive.....