Doubt it. The Gov't will not let Ford go bankrupt, and I do not think the DOJ will allow GM or Mercedes acquire them. Remember how well the last US acquisition went with Mercedes... In the end, the Gov't will bail it out when all else fails. Ford going belly up would not just hurt Ford, but a domino effect would happen. Not going to happen.
If I recall correctly, Alan Mulally was not just the CEO of Boeing, but the hands on Program Manager of the 777 in his career there. He is a performance oriented, deliver the goods type manager... .i.e. -> the real deal. If he can't turn Ford around, no one can... I have heard a couple of his assessments of Ford so far, and he is not pulling any punches.
Car is a joke, I think their a little behind in the crossover vehicle stage... They are trying too hard, thats the problem. They are entering this stage when nearly every automobile company is releasing some type of crossover vehicle. Thats when you know you showed up just a bit late to the game.
WTF?? <img src="http://images.consumerguide.com/cmsimages/articles/2006_DETROIT_AUTO_SHOW/Detroit_D1/Ford_Reflex_1_600.JPG"
Its all happened before in Britain. The company was British Leyland before name changes, which didn't solve the problem. And a lot of taxpayers money pumped in - didn't solve the problem. A combination of greedy 2nd rate management and stroppy Unions sank this once great company. The bosses overpaid themselves from an increasingly fragile company until it broke. Ford and GM have very similiar problems and may well tamely go down the same path. Poor NEW models - just the same too. Playing the patriotic card - yes indeed just the same. History is NOT bunk, to correct one of Henry Ford's more stupid statements. Why make the same stupid mistakes ?????? But dont worry they almost certainly will imho Its when people like Bush and company get to the top, things really start going into a nosedive. Then its almost impossible to pull out of. Nurture talent and ability, not the qualities of the proverbial ass - stubborness and lack of intelligence.
Oh God, now we are even blaming Bush for Ford's problems. That's a bit of a stretch, don't you think?
Not really - one fool is much like another. Centuries ago the Muslims made the same mistake as the USA of today. The militarists took over and the arts and academics were shunted off to the sidelines. The Muslim empire, although stronger at first gradually decayed and withered. It became stuck in time and development. Learn your history. Not much is new. Just a few different twists. Sorry about the history lesson but its sad to see the leading country of the Western Alliance fall apart so easily. Europe and the USA are beginning to feel the CRUNCH of real competition from the East in business. There will be losers and casualties imho, lets make sure its not us.