- An automotive three-way: OK, so let me see if I can get this correct … plans are afoot to discuss an alliance between Renault, GM & Nissan? This is the Axis of Incompetent. Word has it that the alliance is only including Renault because Yugo had gone out of business.
Renault doesn’t have a very good track record when it comes to US auto partners — last time it was the entirely forgettable American Motors Corp. and the result was a car called … The Alliance. Actually this could turn out to be a great move for the auto industry as a whole. Put these three companies together and you have overwhelming lead in the expertise needed to lose market share, build unreliable cars and throw good money after bad. This is like an alliance between the Cubs, the Knicks and the NHL. Next up: When the Titanic merged with the Hindenburg. Or a Dukakis & Dole ticket.
- LATE ADD>>> Here’s another to add to the coalition of the clueless: US Airways. CEO Doug Parker says his co., which is the result of a merger between US Airways and America West (formerly the 7th & 8th largest carriers in the US, now the 15th largest, er 5th largest), would be interested in merging with either Delta or Northwest which are both bankrupt.
- Envy, envy, envy — on my part: David Fine tells of a press release that makes the Diva Cup look humble and understated. Suggestion to Newman PR: SHUT UP.
- Now THAT’S innovation: A sanitary handle for shopping carts that you can carry with you. I feel safer already.
Collateral Damage
What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?
Collateral Damage 
Not sure where you get your conviction that Nissan is as incompetent, wasteful, or unreliable as GM or Renault. Nissan is one of the greater turnaround stories in the car business in the last 10 to 15 years. Wait, you probably want facts. Well, CNN can fill you in:
http://edition.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/04/20/boardroom.ghosn/
Disclosure: I do not have any financial interests in Nissan.
That whole bit about GM, Nissan and Renault was hilarious. I can totally see you doing that on a stage in a comedy club. Ba-dum-bum.
Frankly, the airline merger makes sense. The Economies of Scale would allow a larger airline a greater competitive advantage, which means they coule lose more luggage, arrive later, overbook more often, capricously cancel flights, and make a bigger hash out of their fare structure more efficiently than ever.
Ooh, thanks to Nick for the link. I have an upcoming interview (I hope I make it to the face-to-face part) with Nissan since they’re moving here. I’m not sure if it helps or hurts that I’m already a Nashville resident because I haven’t heard good things regarding the current employees’ opinions of our state.
I also hope they don’t see me drive up in my Subaru–the one I bought because my last Nissan was a lemon (though Nissan 1 and Nissan 2 were awesome cars!). Ahem.