A Merge?

[RednBlack]

Maybe GM and Ford should merge to try and save their asses. Lot of talk on the net about it. GMF. Just a blog, but worth reading. http://carscarscars.blogs.com/index/...years_out.html

[Kyles93Z34]

Just think, a Chevy Mustang... or a Ford Impala. Dont think so. The rednecks down here in Alabama would never allow it. I dont think that that would solve any problems just prolong them. That being said they do need to get their shit together and make some all new and exciting cars, especially GM. Look at the Mustang, it might just bring Ford out of the dumps alone the way they are selling down here. Same with chrysler and the 300c. GM needs to make a rear wheel drive affordable car. A new camaro would be nice but just have a rwd Monte Carlo or Impala. Having a new flagship for GM is the only way i see them ever pulling out of this slump. And i just cant imagine a car with a Ford Blue oval but instead of the ford inside there would be a GM. Interesting thought nevertheless.

Kyle

p.s. sorry about the long post...

[bszopi]

The actually already have started merging in a way... The latest GM trannies (including the new 5 & 6-spd autos) are a joint effort between GM and Ford.

[sharkey]

not realy a merge of sorts at all. gm and ford have 2 transmissions they built together, the 6t70 and the 5 speed rwd (cant remember the name). i think this will be more like what they did in the 80s with the jeep. the jeep used a 2.8l, but it was still backed with the a904 chrysler tranny. ithink the joint venture with the transmissions was to catch up to the imports and daimler chrysler. gm was falling behind as far as transmission technology goes. both ford and chrysler have had 5 speed rwd transmissions for a while (ford since 97, chrysler since 2001) and gm so far has just had the allison thats only in the diesels. gm and ford were falling way behind on the fwd stuff. 2005 is the first year for a 5 speed, and ford wont have one till the 6t70 is in production (the ford 500 is advertised as a 5 speed, but actualy is a CVT). chrysler is kinda down on the fwd stuff as well.

on the flip side, the imports are setting the benchmark for this kinda stuff. nissan has had both fwd and rwd 5 speeds for a few years now. honda also has 5 speeds and have quite a few cvt transmissions. the imports are leaving the domestics in the dust.

but back on topic, ford and chevy merging, never gonna happen.

[geoffinbc]

Gm was not falling behind on trannies. Hydramatic has been building BMW 5 and 6 speeds for many years. However they were never in any GM cars.

GM is currently doing what they needed to be doing a long time ago. Get 1 team to design all the cars for a specific platform. Plus more part sharing needs to happen.

Currently every single W body car for exaple is designed by a different team. This wastes SO MUCH money. Last I herd Lutz is sending all design over seas to the same people that make Saab (best descision ever) in the future he was saying that only trucks and the Vette and special models will be designed in North America. I am going by memory and it was a while ago I herd this. So things may be changing.

[Hemet8]

In the mean time I will continue to b&^%$, piss, and moan about how i can't get hardly any interior trim for my '95 GA, and/or the lack of a cost efficent 5-6 speed manul swap to replace a 4T60E, ( becasue the "geniuses" that be never made it on option) or good factory support for the 660's. Sometimes GM makes me so mad that I just want to go to headquarters, get out and drop right there in public a huge, fat, load right on the corporate steps going in. Because thats what they do to me when i try (in vain it seems) to "bring back" what i think was a good car, overall.

[Doubt_Incarnate]

gm and ford have 2 transmissions they built together, the 6t70 and the 5 speed rwd (cant remember the name).

that must be the ultra sh1tty 5 speed my explorer has. 5R55E.
I'd trade it for a chain and sprockets if they were available. if ford and gm were going to holds hands for that endavor i hope they never make a joint effort car.