Automotive World Series – Chevrolet GM Edition
In the World Series of American Automotive companies Chevrolet looks to be the Philadelphia Phillies to Chrysler’s Tampa Bay Rays. Unfortunately, like the flood that covered the baseball diamond Monday night, financial strains have put this merger on hold. But that won’t keep GM from talking, and devising a bullet proof plan. Too bad car companies don’t battle with guns, they fight dirty.
Game 1 – Come Out Swinging
General Motors not only wants to take over Chrysler, but they want to dissolve many similar models in the Chrysler and Dodge line up. So, once the new GMC SUV comes out, that means no more Dodge Durango, and maybe the slashing of Chrysler’s still fresh Challenger neo-muscle car. This is a bold move for an automotive company – they risk being accused of forming a monopoly, while simultaneously striking out any of their heavy competition.
Game 2 – Cutting Jobs? Your Loss GM
General Motors loses the second round of their World Series event by swinging outside the box. But who didn’t see this coming, with any merger someone is going to lose their job. Today, Chrysler, after hearing dealing with all this alleged buy out talk, has reported they will cut over 1800 jobs at two assembly plants by the end of 2008. America’s struggling economy, watching over like MLB’s chairman does over each game, isn’t helping – have you seen the stock market lately? No company should be buying anyone out, yet we’re not surprised about job cuts.
Game 3 – Come Out Swinging
GM will become a huge automotive power with all brands these together under one roof – making them a monolithic American automotive company. With Chevy, Chrysler, GMC, Jeep, Buick, Hyundai and so on, GM stands to make a profit (or at least get out of red) no matter which sells more…unless everyone keeps buying Toyota’s and Nissan’s. America’s government is also intervening, making sure the deal is done clean, and that jobs (both salary and hourly) would be saved. Those who lose their positions could enter different positions within this new company, or be placed into job training programs.
Game 4 – On Hold
Though GM is still fighting like mad to take over Chrysler, this game is on hold. It’s a back and forth struggle that will probably cross over into 2009. Regardless, like 2008′s World Series, no type of delay can put it on hold for long. Eventually, we’ll be seeing closings of more Chrysler Dodge dealerships then we’d like to admit on this site.
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