by Jonathan » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:51 pm
I think GM tried to get a loan to buy Ford during the depression (or near it), and was refused.
Buick is who started GM because of their profits and success, and were the backbone for a long time. Hard to imagine now saying that it's been decades since a desirable Buick has rolled off the assembly line.
Walter Chrysler actually used to be the head of Buick, got in an argument with Billy Durant (owner of Buick and founder/head of GM), resulting in Chrysler getting pissed and going to Willys. Willys flopped, so he moved to the Maxwell Motor Company, turned them around, and used that to create his empire (Plymouth, Dodge, De Soto, and of course, Chrysler at the top).
Just think of what it would be like today if the "Big 3" didn't exist. Though I'm rather thankful that it isn't, you need some competition. If the car market keeps sinking like it is, though, I wouldn't doubt seeing a huge merger in the future.
I think GM tried to get a loan to buy Ford during the depression (or near it), and was refused.
Buick is who started GM because of their profits and success, and were the backbone for a long time. Hard to imagine now saying that it's been decades since a desirable Buick has rolled off the assembly line.
Walter Chrysler actually used to be the head of Buick, got in an argument with Billy Durant (owner of Buick and founder/head of GM), resulting in Chrysler getting pissed and going to Willys. Willys flopped, so he moved to the Maxwell Motor Company, turned them around, and used that to create his empire (Plymouth, Dodge, De Soto, and of course, Chrysler at the top).
Just think of what it would be like today if the "Big 3" didn't exist. Though I'm rather thankful that it isn't, you need some competition. If the car market keeps sinking like it is, though, I wouldn't doubt seeing a huge merger in the future.