Will global car makers be forced to merge to survive the onslaught?

Exotica · 12-09-2008, 10:57 AM

Will global car makers be forced to merge to survive the onslaught?
Fiat CEO announced today that he would be open to a partnership or merger.

"The only way for companies to survive is if they make more than 5.5 million cars per year," Sergio Marchionne told the European edition of Automotive News, an industry publication.

"As far as mass-producers are concerned, we're going to end up with one American house, one German of size; one French-Japanese, maybe with an extension in the U.S.; one in Japan; one in China and one other potential European player."

Although Marchionne did not name the companies, those whose production levels reach that number include Toyota Motor Corp , General Motors , Volkswagen, Ford Motors and Renault-Nissan.

dxb335d · 12-09-2008, 11:21 AM

its a shame really. The world is going tits up. Mainly because of the US.

ed335d · 12-09-2008, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dxb335d

its a shame really. The world is going tits up. Mainly because of the US.

Seems that way, although our banks aren't really doing anything to help the already poor situation - robbing bastards.

Hard times, yet Barclaycard have seen it fit to give me a massive credit increase. I had the same limit for years, never got anywhere near it and always pay on time. Why just suddenly give more - not that I'm tempted to use it, but surely someone would.

jjbirch · 12-09-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

Seems that way, although our banks aren't really doing anything to help the already poor situation - robbing bastards.

Hard times, yet Barclaycard have seen it fit to give me a massive credit increase. I had the same limit for years, never got anywhere near it and always pay on time. Why just suddenly give more - not that I'm tempted to use it, but surely someone would.

yeah know what you mean , i heard today on the news a woman got a 84 million pound overdraft nice if you ever get stuck lol,

Porscha! · 12-09-2008, 02:11 PM

This is really spooky over a 2 years ago I had completed a local run out and us that had stayed where in a cafe in Matlock talking about cars.

Keeping in mind everyone (economy wise) was absolutely fine then, 4 members of our car club predicted that within the next 25 years we will see very big mergers in the motor industry due to need rather than want. Also predicted one out of BMW, the VAG group and Mercedes (the big German three) within the next 25 years one will fall.

This all remains to be seen but seems ever more likely now!

beemerbird · 12-09-2008, 02:30 PM

Think this has slowly being happening over a period of time if you look at how Ford in particular have bought other margues and own part of Mazda. Perhaps it would be logical for Ford and GM to merge and/or Chrysler - who knows.

Porsche are certainly buying up VW shares whenever they can.

CrimsonRedE93 · 12-09-2008, 02:55 PM

The new BMW and Ferrari venture the 'Barfari' doesn't really do it

Hopefully thier will be lay offs and short term working for 2-3 months then things will start to pick up, that what my crystal ball says anyway

ed335d · 12-09-2008, 03:04 PM

If Jeep and Audi got together, I'd buy a Jedi

ed335d · 12-09-2008, 03:06 PM

And hope Ford and Smart don't merge

AlanQS · 12-09-2008, 05:22 PM

Saying this would happen within 25 years isn't exactly adventurous. In 25 years the car industry will be completely unrecognisable in relation to today, not least because declining oil production will have declined even more and, by necessity, everyone and anyone will not be jumping into their personal IC car.

Now if they had said five years that would have been a bit more Nostradamus like.

Porscha! · 12-09-2008, 05:29 PM

What is IC? I don't like the sound of it. Long live PETROL, I think I'll be one of the last to have a petrol car because I'm stubborn like that...

- Paul - · 12-09-2008, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porscha!

What is IC?

http://mcsformula.co.uk/petrol.aspx

Porscha! · 12-10-2008, 02:41 AM

Oh it's that stuff remote control cars run on, some of them are fast as well

2.3 times as much power as petrol!! Thats changed my mind I'll have a GT3RS running on that please

Any reason manuafacturers are not developing these? and how much petrol do we have left?

Exotica · 12-10-2008, 03:13 AM

According to AM’s analysis, brands with a large ‘family-owned’ stake are at most risk – including BMW and Peugeot-Citroen, which could be put up for sale by the Quandt and Peugeot families. Fiat is also considered vulnerable.

Jake C · 12-10-2008, 04:09 AM

The thing I find quite interesting and unusual is that some large car companies. BMW for instance don't carry certain models of car in other Countries. The US is just getting the 335d and can't even order any BMW with a M-Sport Package.

I'm a bit unsure how I feel about a potential merger for BMW.

- J

Carrera RSR · 12-10-2008, 04:31 AM

As with all global companies, we will see the big get bigger and the small/weaker will find it a struggle. Finally being bought up by the big that will then get bigger.

The big American 3 will never be the same again after this economic struggle. They will need to sell their private jets (shock horror, but unlikely), merge their production where possible with platform sharing and also look at making more eco friendly cars. The deep South 7 litre, pick up loving rednecks are not going to like driving hybrids

As for the car industry in World terms. It will be a completely different landscape 5 years time. No doubt of that.

AlanQS · 12-10-2008, 05:11 AM

IC - Internal Combustion - petrol, diesel, ethanol, bio etc.

dxb335d · 12-10-2008, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Porscha!

how much petrol do we have left?

about 65 gallons.

Jake C · 12-10-2008, 01:57 PM

The good ol 7 litre ain't fixin to go no where! Yeehaww!!

- J

Porscha! · 12-10-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlanQS

IC - Internal Combustion - petrol, diesel, ethanol, bio etc.

Why did I not relate IC with internal combustion?? God knows

I like petrol, keep the petrol

NFS · 12-10-2008, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ed335d

If Jeep and Audi got together, I'd buy a Jedi

Awesome it would be.

12-09-2008, 10:57 AM	#1
Exotica Lieutenant 82 Rep 533 Posts Drives: People Mad Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The British Empire. Where The Sun Never Sets On Us. iTrader: (0)	Will global car makers be forced to merge to survive the onslaught? Will global car makers be forced to merge to survive the onslaught? Fiat CEO announced today that he would be open to a partnership or merger. "The only way for companies to survive is if they make more than 5.5 million cars per year," Sergio Marchionne told the European edition of Automotive News, an industry publication. "As far as mass-producers are concerned, we're going to end up with one American house, one German of size; one French-Japanese, maybe with an extension in the U.S.; one in Japan; one in China and one other potential European player." Although Marchionne did not name the companies, those whose production levels reach that number include Toyota Motor Corp , General Motors , Volkswagen, Ford Motors and Renault-Nissan.
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12-09-2008, 11:21 AM	#2
dxb335d The Tarmac Terrorist 949 Rep 29,345 Posts Drives: 997.2 GT3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: ''Fandango Towers'' iTrader: (3) Garage List 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 [9.50] 2003 BMW E46 M3 [6.00] 2007 BMW E92 335D [5.50]	its a shame really. The world is going tits up. Mainly because of the US. __________________ 997.2 GT3
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12-09-2008, 02:11 PM	#5
Porscha! Should be on www.retrorides.com 95 Rep 3,573 Posts Drives: Porsche 944 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Derbyshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 1978 MG Midget 1500 [0.00] 1987 BMW E30 325i C ... [0.00]	This is really spooky over a 2 years ago I had completed a local run out and us that had stayed where in a cafe in Matlock talking about cars. Keeping in mind everyone (economy wise) was absolutely fine then, 4 members of our car club predicted that within the next 25 years we will see very big mergers in the motor industry due to need rather than want. Also predicted one out of BMW, the VAG group and Mercedes (the big German three) within the next 25 years one will fall. This all remains to be seen but seems ever more likely now! __________________ "FIRE UP THA PORRSCHAAH" - The 80's are back! Front Engined Porsche
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12-09-2008, 02:30 PM	#6
beemerbird Major General 172 Rep 7,953 Posts Drives: Merc diesel Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Yorkshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 TTRS [9.00] 2007 Audi S5 [0.00] May 2007 Porsche 99 ... [0.00] March 2007 Porsche ... [0.00] Sep. 2007 E92 335d SE [0.00] July 2006 E90 330i ... [0.00]	Think this has slowly being happening over a period of time if you look at how Ford in particular have bought other margues and own part of Mazda. Perhaps it would be logical for Ford and GM to merge and/or Chrysler - who knows. Porsche are certainly buying up VW shares whenever they can.
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12-09-2008, 02:55 PM	#7
CrimsonRedE93 Major 108 Rep 1,085 Posts Drives: Le Mans Blue E93 330d+ Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: West Sussex iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 E93 320I SE [0.00]	The new BMW and Ferrari venture the 'Barfari' doesn't really do it Hopefully thier will be lay offs and short term working for 2-3 months then things will start to pick up, that what my crystal ball says anyway
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12-09-2008, 03:04 PM	#8
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	If Jeep and Audi got together, I'd buy a Jedi __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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12-09-2008, 03:06 PM	#9
ed335d Major General 141 Rep 6,912 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Surrey, UK iTrader: (3)	And hope Ford and Smart don't merge __________________ E92 M3, Jerez Black, Fox Red Novillo, 19'' M Double Spoke, folding mirrors, lumbar support, front seat heating, PDC, USB, DAB, EDC, Bluetooth, Logic 7, High Gloss Shadowline, big smile
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12-09-2008, 05:22 PM	#10
AlanQS Colonel 244 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	Saying this would happen within 25 years isn't exactly adventurous. In 25 years the car industry will be completely unrecognisable in relation to today, not least because declining oil production will have declined even more and, by necessity, everyone and anyone will not be jumping into their personal IC car. Now if they had said five years that would have been a bit more Nostradamus like.
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12-09-2008, 05:29 PM	#11
Porscha! Should be on www.retrorides.com 95 Rep 3,573 Posts Drives: Porsche 944 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Derbyshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 1978 MG Midget 1500 [0.00] 1987 BMW E30 325i C ... [0.00]	What is IC? I don't like the sound of it. Long live PETROL, I think I'll be one of the last to have a petrol car because I'm stubborn like that... __________________ "FIRE UP THA PORRSCHAAH" - The 80's are back! Front Engined Porsche
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12-10-2008, 02:41 AM	#13
Porscha! Should be on www.retrorides.com 95 Rep 3,573 Posts Drives: Porsche 944 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Derbyshire iTrader: (0) Garage List 1978 MG Midget 1500 [0.00] 1987 BMW E30 325i C ... [0.00]	Oh it's that stuff remote control cars run on, some of them are fast as well 2.3 times as much power as petrol!! Thats changed my mind I'll have a GT3RS running on that please Any reason manuafacturers are not developing these? and how much petrol do we have left? __________________ "FIRE UP THA PORRSCHAAH" - The 80's are back! Front Engined Porsche
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12-10-2008, 03:13 AM	#14
Exotica Lieutenant 82 Rep 533 Posts Drives: People Mad Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: The British Empire. Where The Sun Never Sets On Us. iTrader: (0)	According to AM’s analysis, brands with a large ‘family-owned’ stake are at most risk – including BMW and Peugeot-Citroen, which could be put up for sale by the Quandt and Peugeot families. Fiat is also considered vulnerable.
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12-10-2008, 04:09 AM	#15
Jake C Lieutenant 18 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2009 335i 2010 335d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: US/UK iTrader: (0)	The thing I find quite interesting and unusual is that some large car companies. BMW for instance don't carry certain models of car in other Countries. The US is just getting the 335d and can't even order any BMW with a M-Sport Package. I'm a bit unsure how I feel about a potential merger for BMW. - J __________________ In Memory of LeRoi Moore 1961-2008.
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12-10-2008, 04:31 AM	#16
Carrera RSR Colonel 75 Rep 2,937 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Location: Location: iTrader: (1)	As with all global companies, we will see the big get bigger and the small/weaker will find it a struggle. Finally being bought up by the big that will then get bigger. The big American 3 will never be the same again after this economic struggle. They will need to sell their private jets (shock horror, but unlikely), merge their production where possible with platform sharing and also look at making more eco friendly cars. The deep South 7 litre, pick up loving rednecks are not going to like driving hybrids As for the car industry in World terms. It will be a completely different landscape 5 years time. No doubt of that.
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12-10-2008, 05:11 AM	#17
AlanQS Colonel 244 Rep 2,811 Posts Drives: Jaguar XE P250 HSE Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 430i m-sport G ... [0.00]	IC - Internal Combustion - petrol, diesel, ethanol, bio etc.
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12-10-2008, 01:57 PM	#19
Jake C Lieutenant 18 Rep 409 Posts Drives: 2009 335i 2010 335d Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: US/UK iTrader: (0)	The good ol 7 litre ain't fixin to go no where! Yeehaww!! - J __________________ In Memory of LeRoi Moore 1961-2008.
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