From United Press International
DETROIT — Executives from Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have discussed a merger or alliance, Automotive News reported Monday.
Negotiations began in July after Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and Renault SA Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn broached the possibility of an alliance among Renault, Nissan and GM, Automotive News said, citing several sources familiar with the talks.
It is not clear who launched the talks. One source told Automotive News that GM head Rick Wagoner contacted Ford Motor the day after Ghosn disclosed his plan. A second source disputes that.
In August, GM Chief Financial Officer Fritz Henderson discussed the proposed alliance with Ford Chief Financial Officer Don Leclair, said a source familiar with the talks. But it is not at all clear whether the negotiations will bear fruit. As of now, the two companies are not talking about a potential deal and one source says there is a slim chance that anything will come of it.
Spokesmen for GM and Ford declined to comment.
Copyright 2006 by United Press International