Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Auto Addict on 08 November 2008, 07:41:48

Title: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Auto Addict on 08 November 2008, 07:41:48
GM says it will be bankrupt within months :o
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 08 November 2008, 07:49:17
Ive been told Honda (one of the biggest employers in Swindon) has put its employees on a 4 day week  :(
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Dave-C on 08 November 2008, 07:50:48
I'm sure the British government will bail it out with our money, then the dealers will hike up the prices to increase their profits....

Sound familliar??? ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Auto Addict on 08 November 2008, 07:53:14
Just noticed this was posted under Bloomberg, sorry.
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 November 2008, 09:55:15
I think both GM and Ford, with primary markets in US, are on borrowed time.  I think GM has been bankrupt for decades, but creative accounting has kept it afloat.  I think Ford are worse off currently.
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Martin_1962 on 08 November 2008, 10:00:41
My main concern is for the operations around the world, eg Holden, Opel, Vauxhall
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: theolodian on 08 November 2008, 10:05:19
It won't be pretty, but I'm of the opinion that it needs to be broken up instead of propped up.  It's the only way to get out of the obscene legacy costs that the unions created.
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Jay w on 08 November 2008, 10:12:32
Quote
It won't be pretty, but I'm of the opinion that it needs to be broken up instead of propped up.  It's the only way to get out of the obscene legacy costs that the unions created.

yep, let the strongest parts of the company survive, the rest will fall by the wayside and become history


Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Peter H on 08 November 2008, 10:41:37
GM Europe is one of the most profitable arms of the firm.  If anything I think this could be interesting, maybe not good, but interesting.

An Independent Vauxhall/Opel/Saab could turn out some damn good cars.  Don't forget the Germans will then be in the driving seat, so maybe another Omega??

Opel could so easily be a BMW competitior.  That would be cool!
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: TheBoy on 08 November 2008, 10:43:11
Quote
GM Europe is one of the most profitable arms of the firm.  If anything I think this could be interesting, maybe not good, but interesting.

An Independent Vauxhall/Opel/Saab could turn out some darn good cars.  Don't forget the Germans will then be in the driving seat, so maybe another Omega??

Opel could so easily be a BMW competitior.  That would be cool!
at a technical level, yes, but any junior double glazing salesman will want the beemer instead...
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: theolodian on 08 November 2008, 10:43:48
Quote
GM Europe is one of the most profitable arms of the firm.  If anything I think this could be interesting, maybe not good, but interesting.

An Independent Vauxhall/Opel/Saab could turn out some darn good cars.  Don't forget the Germans will then be in the driving seat, so maybe another Omega??

Opel could so easily be a BMW competitior.  That would be cool!
The Corsa was the best selling car in the UK last month, so even if GM goes bankrupt you would expect the European arm to be sold off and carry on in some form.
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: Leomas on 08 November 2008, 10:59:18
I understand that it has been a few years now since the automotive side earnt GM more money than the finance side. Of course that may be different this year
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: mantahatch on 08 November 2008, 11:14:35
Even the German car companies are not having an easy time of it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7708021.stm
Title: Re: Is this the end of GM?
Post by: LaserLance on 08 November 2008, 15:36:02
read the same thing in paper yesterday ,it seems that GM and Fords european arms have been keeping them solvent for the last couple of years, so do they sell off the profitable side and hack out the deadwood or do they go under or go cap in hand to the US goverment ?