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GM Talked Deals With Chrysler, Ford: Reports

TSC Staff

General Motors(GM) has been in separate talks about potential mergers with fellow Big Three automakers Chrysler and Ford(F), according to published media reports.

Citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, both The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal reported that GM recently has conducted talks with Cerberus Capital Management, the private equity equity firm that owns Chrysler.

The Journal reported that the talks have become inactive because of the crisis in financial markets but added that if markets stabilize, GM and Cerberus could renew discussions.

The Times reported that the talks began more than a month ago and said a possible merger would probably require weeks to conclude.

Cerberus, which owns 51% of auto lender GMAC, has proposed a swap in which GM would get Chrysler's automative operations, while Cerberus would receive the remaining 49% stake in GMAC, the Journal reported.

Citing a person familiar with the situation, the Journal also reported that in recent months GM approached Ford about a possible merger. But Ford called off the discussions after it decided it should continue to remain independent, the Journal reported. The talks were exploratory and very preliminary in nature, according to an anonymous source quoted by the Journal.

American automakers find themselves in an extremely difficult environment. Car sales are down as consumers feel the effects of the slowing economy, and as the financial crisis has made it difficult for potential car buyers to get loans. High fuel prices have turned consumers away from gas-guzzling sport-utility vehicles, which had long been big sellers for Detroit.

The conditions for GM and Ford have become so grim that both companies were forced to issue statements Friday saying they were not considering filing for bankruptcy.

Shares of GM closed Friday up 13 cents at $4.89. Shares of Ford finished the session down 9 cents at $1.99.