This item appears on the BBC Web Page today. Looks like another of the staunch, old-line British car manufacturers is biting the dust.

 

Maybe ford will buy them too

 

Or BMW will buy them back. That's how BMW got the MINI nameplate in the 1st place.

 

When BMW found out how crippled Rover was, they fired their CEO for buying it in the first place. Not much chance on them taking over. After all, it's pretty hard for a small, technically challenged company to stay competitive with the Japanese, and now Korean manufactuers. Fact is, even the Germans are losing the customer satisfaction game to the Asian players. Won't be too long before we see a headline saying that the Chinese are going to rescue venerable GM.

 

You mean Ford Plugot? GM is number one in American Automakers..(and this is coming from a non GM fan)

 

If Rover would get their mechanical reputation up to par with most of the industry, they'd probably do much better. Land Rovers are dogs when they hit middle age (40-60k miles) mechanical wise. Everyone I've talked to that's owned a Land Rover/Range Rover suggested selling it by the time the warranty was out...I guess that tells you something of their demise, or at least a part of it.

Dave.

 

No, I meant GM. I realize that at this point GM does seem like a global power house, but it's automotive future really isn't bright. The insular arrogance that marked US car makers through the 1970's (and beyond) is still very much alive at GM. At the very time that SUV sales are beginning to stagger because of rising gas prices and safety issues, GM is trying to push the SUVs in development into the production line faster but to do it they must slow down the development of their next generation passenger car platform which they desperately need to stay globally competitive. Truth is, the bottom line mentality which rules GM will eventually force it out of business as it won't actually produce a product anyone wants to drive. Besides, they have way too many divisions and way too few original products.
Ford, on the other hand, though bleeding money with Jaguar, has a more competitive product line up than GM. And at that matter, Chrysler seems to be more dynamic than either GM or Ford (or big brother Mercedes) in terms of it's product line. GM's fate as a producer of consumer automotive products is by no means assured.

 

Plugot...that usbluestates site...did you make that site? That is very cool...I'm definitely on that side of the fence with you and the millions of others I have no problem admitting I'm a democrat, and though I'm outshadowed in a primarily conservative state like Virginia, it feels good to be the minority....anyways, just wanted to give you props for your site

*hijack of thread off*

Dave.