From owner-diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Wed Mar 7 15:21:53 2007 From: diesel-benz-digest diesel-benz-digest Wednesday, March 7 2007 Volume 01 : Number 2409 Forum for Discussion of Diesel Mercedes Benz Automobiles Derick Amburgey Digest Coordinator Contents: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) RE: [db] Diesel and gas don't mix! FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Re: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) [db] How about this one? Re: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Diesel Benz Digest Home Page: http://www.digest.net/diesel-benz/ Send submissions to diesel-benz-digest-at-digest.net Send administrative requests to diesel-benz-digest-request-at-digest.net To unsubscribe, include the word unsubscribe by itself in the body of the message, unless you are sending the request from a different address than the one that appears on the list. Include the word help in a message to stag-digest-request to get a list of other majordomo commands. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 10:09:26 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) fyi ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Sent from Express News DETROIT - Daimler-Benz AG paid $36 billion for the company in 1998, but industry analysts now place its value at anywhere from nothing to $13.7 billion. As two private equity firms examine Chrysler's books and consider making offers to buy the company this week, they'll be grappling with a question whose answer is uncertain: How much is the automaker worth? Estimates vary with the value placed on assets such as brand names, factories and materials, all weighed against Chrysler's estimated $19 billion long-term liability to pay health care benefits for unionized retirees. Some analysts say the liability exceeds the value of the assets, meaning that German parent DaimlerChrysler AG would have to pay someone to take Chrysler. Others say the company is worth more to the right buyer. "It's a hard thing to really figure out, and the uncertainty is what the health care liability really means," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. "If that were removed, then it's a wholly different game." Experts from one of the equity firms, Cerberus Capital Management LP, were at Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters on Monday, said a company official who requested anonymity because the talks are confidential. Representatives of the Blackstone Group are to arrive later in the week, the official said Tuesday. In regular trading Tuesday, DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares rose $2.81, or 4.3 percent, to close at $68.61 on the New York Stock Exchange. The visits are the latest developments since DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche said Feb. 14 that all options are on the table for the Chrysler business and that he would not rule out a possible sale. Also said to be exploring a purchase of the struggling Chrysler are General Motors Corp., Canadian auto parts giant Magna International Inc., and private equity firms Apollo Management LP and the Carlyle Group. GM won't comment but won't deny the reports, while all four private equity firms have refused to comment. Cole said Chrysler's value varies with the potential buyer. A private equity firm could take the company into bankruptcy, shed its union contracts and then break it into pieces for sale at a handsome profit, he said. GM could sweep its estimated $50 billion retiree health care liability into Chrysler's and negotiate a deal with the United Auto Workers union to take on the cost at a discounted rate. GM, Cole said, could save billions of dollars on its health care liability by buying Chrysler. "If that were done, you could, I think, make a pretty good case that GM would be the ideal suitor," he said. Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines discounted analysts' estimates of a negative value, saying that Chrysler earned $4.92 billion between 1998 and 2006. He would not place a value on the company, but said it also is cutting expenses and will introduce 20 new vehicles over the next three years as well as 13 updated cars and trucks. The new products are a response to consumers' shifting from truck-based vehicles to more fuel-efficient car-based models, he said. Zetsche, speaking Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show, said he is confident Chrysler Group's restructuring plan will work. He also said that the finance arm of Chrysler could be sold. Chrysler on Feb. 14 announced plans to shed 13,000 jobs, including 11,000 hourly and 2,000 salaried workers in the U.S. and Canada as part of its restructuring plan. The company plans to close one manufacturing plant and make cuts at several others in order to reduce factory capacity to match lower demand for its products. Chrysler lost $1.475 billion in 2006 and said it expects losses to continue through 2007. - --- By TOM KRISHER AP Business Writer ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 16:10:24 -0500 From: "FreddyP" Subject: RE: [db] Diesel and gas don't mix! Thanks for all the responses guys, I think we found a home for the mix. We are nervous about running it through the Sprinter partly because of it's newness, but most of all that vehicle is a money maker for the business that we can't afford to take chances with and have down. A friend of mine who manages a large fleet of diesel trucks is going to take it - one gallon in each truck's 100 gallon tank. He says that the trucks won't even notice it! - -----Original Message----- if it's cold enough back there it'll be fine. when we have a cold snap I have put 1 gallon of gas to apx 20 gallons of Diesel to keep things thin. The biggest danger is overheating the engine while running gas. he can just add 2 or 3 gallons every time he tanks up, should be fine. john On Tue, 6 Mar 2007, FreddyP wrote: >-->A buddy of mine fueled up his Mercedes Sprinter Van (Dodge) this morning and >-->realized after pumping 16 gallons the he was pumping gas and not diesel. It >-->had about 5 gallons in the 26 gallon tank when he started. I drove up there >-->and we siphoned out 15 gallons into gas cans and then topped it off with >-->diesel. The good news is nothing was damaged and he was on his way in about >-->an hour. >--> >-->Here is the question: What do we do with the 15 gallons of mix? I say put >-->3 or 4 gallons of it in every fill up until it's gone. What do you think? >--> >-->Fred's Road Side Assistance >--> ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 16:11:31 -0500 From: "FreddyP" Subject: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) I sense big changes in the world auto industry in the next ten years. This will only be one. Hey, we should pool our funds as a list and make a low-ball offer for the company. DB might just let it go! Fred - -----Original Message----- Sent from Express News DETROIT - Daimler-Benz AG paid $36 billion for the company in 1998, but industry analysts now place its value at anywhere from nothing to $13.7 billion. As two private equity firms examine Chrysler's books and consider making offers to buy the company this week, they'll be grappling with a question whose answer is uncertain: How much is the automaker worth? Estimates vary with the value placed on assets such as brand names, factories and materials, all weighed against Chrysler's estimated $19 billion long-term liability to pay health care benefits for unionized retirees. Some analysts say the liability exceeds the value of the assets, meaning that German parent DaimlerChrysler AG would have to pay someone to take Chrysler. Others say the company is worth more to the right buyer. "It's a hard thing to really figure out, and the uncertainty is what the health care liability really means," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. "If that were removed, then it's a wholly different game." Experts from one of the equity firms, Cerberus Capital Management LP, were at Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters on Monday, said a company official who requested anonymity because the talks are confidential. Representatives of the Blackstone Group are to arrive later in the week, the official said Tuesday. In regular trading Tuesday, DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares rose $2.81, or 4.3 percent, to close at $68.61 on the New York Stock Exchange. The visits are the latest developments since DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter Zetsche said Feb. 14 that all options are on the table for the Chrysler business and that he would not rule out a possible sale. Also said to be exploring a purchase of the struggling Chrysler are General Motors Corp., Canadian auto parts giant Magna International Inc., and private equity firms Apollo Management LP and the Carlyle Group. GM won't comment but won't deny the reports, while all four private equity firms have refused to comment. Cole said Chrysler's value varies with the potential buyer. A private equity firm could take the company into bankruptcy, shed its union contracts and then break it into pieces for sale at a handsome profit, he said. GM could sweep its estimated $50 billion retiree health care liability into Chrysler's and negotiate a deal with the United Auto Workers union to take on the cost at a discounted rate. GM, Cole said, could save billions of dollars on its health care liability by buying Chrysler. "If that were done, you could, I think, make a pretty good case that GM would be the ideal suitor," he said. Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines discounted analysts' estimates of a negative value, saying that Chrysler earned $4.92 billion between 1998 and 2006. He would not place a value on the company, but said it also is cutting expenses and will introduce 20 new vehicles over the next three years as well as 13 updated cars and trucks. The new products are a response to consumers' shifting from truck-based vehicles to more fuel-efficient car-based models, he said. Zetsche, speaking Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show, said he is confident Chrysler Group's restructuring plan will work. He also said that the finance arm of Chrysler could be sold. Chrysler on Feb. 14 announced plans to shed 13,000 jobs, including 11,000 hourly and 2,000 salaried workers in the U.S. and Canada as part of its restructuring plan. The company plans to close one manufacturing plant and make cuts at several others in order to reduce factory capacity to match lower demand for its products. Chrysler lost $1.475 billion in 2006 and said it expects losses to continue through 2007. - --- By TOM KRISHER AP Business Writer ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:26:53 -0500 From: "Jim Hoffman" Subject: Re: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Count me in! If I were to buy a new car today it would be a Chrysler... I love 'em... Jim > I sense big changes in the world auto industry in the next ten years. This > will only be one. > > Hey, we should pool our funds as a list and make a low-ball offer for the > company. DB might just let it go! > > Fred ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 16:43:37 -0500 From: "FreddyP" Subject: RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) I'm with you Jim, I have always loved that quirky company. Most of my cars over the years have been Chrysler products. From the sounds of it, the spare change under the seats of our Benz's might be enough for them to take our offer seriously. We would just need a REALLY solid recovery plan. Let's see - I'll head up the truck division, you head up the car division, and John can head up the Jeep division. We just need someone for the experimental (i.e. monster garage) division. - -----Original Message----- From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Jim Hoffman Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:27 PM To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net Subject: Re: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Count me in! If I were to buy a new car today it would be a Chrysler... I love 'em... Jim > I sense big changes in the world auto industry in the next ten years. This > will only be one. > > Hey, we should pool our funds as a list and make a low-ball offer for the > company. DB might just let it go! > > Fred ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 21:50:23 +0000 From: briankk-at-att.net Subject: RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "FreddyP" > I'm with you Jim, I have always loved that quirky company. Most of my cars > over the years have been Chrysler products. From the sounds of it, the > spare change under the seats of our Benz's might be enough for them to take > our offer seriously. We would just need a REALLY solid recovery plan. > > Let's see - I'll head up the truck division, you head up the car division, > and John can head up the Jeep division. We just need someone for the > experimental (i.e. monster garage) division. I'll own the real estate it stand on.. bk ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 07 Mar 2007 16:56:07 -0500 From: "Jim Hoffman" Subject: RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Sure, leave me with the division that doesn't have any diesels! "yet".... ;) I'll take it! Of course I'm really a tinkerer at heart, Maybe I should get the experimental division... ;) Jim > I'm with you Jim, I have always loved that quirky company. Most of my cars > over the years have been Chrysler products. From the sounds of it, the > spare change under the seats of our Benz's might be enough for them to take > our offer seriously. We would just need a REALLY solid recovery plan. > > Let's see - I'll head up the truck division, you head up the car division, > and John can head up the Jeep division. We just need someone for the > experimental (i.e. monster garage) division. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net > [mailto:owner-diesel-benz-at-digest.net]On Behalf Of Jim Hoffman > Sent: Wednesday, March 07, 2007 4:27 PM > To: diesel-benz-at-digest.net > Subject: Re: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) > > > Count me in! If I were to buy a new car today it would > be a Chrysler... I love 'em... > > Jim > > > I sense big changes in the world auto industry in the next ten years. > This > > will only be one. > > > > Hey, we should pool our funds as a list and make a low-ball offer for the > > company. DB might just let it go! > > > > Fred > ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 21:56:47 GMT From: "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" Subject: RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Hey, that sounds great.......but put John over the experimental......if you dare! Actually, he'd probably sell a lot of stuff for you...... J - -- briankk-at-att.net wrote: -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "FreddyP" > I'm with you Jim, I have always loved that quirky company. Most of my cars > over the years have been Chrysler products. From the sounds of it, the > spare change under the seats of our Benz's might be enough for them to take > our offer seriously. We would just need a REALLY solid recovery plan. > > Let's see - I'll head up the truck division, you head up the car division, > and John can head up the Jeep division. We just need someone for the > experimental (i.e. monster garage) division. I'll own the real estate it stand on.. bk ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 22:33:42 GMT From: "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" Subject: RE: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) Speaking of John, did you get that link to your own site you asked for??? 8^) J - -- "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" wrote: Hey, that sounds great.......but put John over the experimental......if you dare! Actually, he'd probably sell a lot of stuff for you...... J - -- briankk-at-att.net wrote: -------------- Original message ---------------------- From: "FreddyP" > I'm with you Jim, I have always loved that quirky company. Most of my cars > over the years have been Chrysler products. From the sounds of it, the > spare change under the seats of our Benz's might be enough for them to take > our offer seriously. We would just need a REALLY solid recovery plan. > > Let's see - I'll head up the truck division, you head up the car division, > and John can head up the Jeep division. We just need someone for the > experimental (i.e. monster garage) division. I'll own the real estate it stand on.. bk ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 22:42:15 GMT From: "jasonbassett-at-juno.com" Subject: [db] How about this one? ebay id 190089366583 Not going to last as long as the other one w/ 112k, but maybe cheaper anyhow considering that the installation will be free (me)...... Jason ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2007 15:21:05 -0800 (PST) From: john Subject: Re: FW: [db] Official: Firms Examining Chrysler Books (fwd) we should buy the Jeep division and make a contract with Mercedes for Diesel engines.... they can keep the Liberty as part of the exchange... and they can have all the independent front suspensions too. :) john On Wed, 7 Mar 2007, FreddyP wrote: >-->I sense big changes in the world auto industry in the next ten years. This >-->will only be one. >--> >-->Hey, we should pool our funds as a list and make a low-ball offer for the >-->company. DB might just let it go! >--> >-->Fred >--> >--> >--> >--> >-->-----Original Message----- >--> >--> >--> >--> >-->Sent from Express News >-->DETROIT - Daimler-Benz AG paid $36 billion for the company in 1998, but >-->industry analysts now place its value at anywhere from nothing to $13.7 >-->billion. >--> >-->As two private equity firms examine Chrysler's books and consider making >-->offers to buy the company this week, they'll be grappling with a question >-->whose answer is uncertain: How much is the automaker worth? >--> >-->Estimates vary with the value placed on assets such as brand names, >-->factories and materials, all weighed against Chrysler's estimated $19 >-->billion long-term liability to pay health care benefits for unionized >-->retirees. >--> >-->Some analysts say the liability exceeds the value of the assets, meaning >-->that German parent DaimlerChrysler AG would have to pay someone to take >-->Chrysler. Others say the company is worth more to the right buyer. >--> >-->"It's a hard thing to really figure out, and the uncertainty is what the >-->health care liability really means," said David Cole, chairman of the Center >-->for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor. "If that were removed, then it's a >-->wholly different game." >--> >-->Experts from one of the equity firms, Cerberus Capital Management LP, were >-->at Chrysler's Auburn Hills headquarters on Monday, said a company official >-->who requested anonymity because the talks are confidential. Representatives >-->of the Blackstone Group are to arrive later in the week, the official said >-->Tuesday. >--> >-->In regular trading Tuesday, DaimlerChrysler's U.S. shares rose $2.81, or 4.3 >-->percent, to close at $68.61 on the New York Stock Exchange. >--> >-->The visits are the latest developments since DaimlerChrysler Chairman Dieter >-->Zetsche said Feb. 14 that all options are on the table for the Chrysler >-->business and that he would not rule out a possible sale. >--> >-->Also said to be exploring a purchase of the struggling Chrysler are General >-->Motors Corp., Canadian auto parts giant Magna International Inc., and >-->private equity firms Apollo Management LP and the Carlyle Group. >--> >-->GM won't comment but won't deny the reports, while all four private equity >-->firms have refused to comment. >--> >-->Cole said Chrysler's value varies with the potential buyer. A private equity >-->firm could take the company into bankruptcy, shed its union contracts and >-->then break it into pieces for sale at a handsome profit, he said. >--> >-->GM could sweep its estimated $50 billion retiree health care liability into >-->Chrysler's and negotiate a deal with the United Auto Workers union to take >-->on the cost at a discounted rate. GM, Cole said, could save billions of >-->dollars on its health care liability by buying Chrysler. >--> >-->"If that were done, you could, I think, make a pretty good case that GM >-->would be the ideal suitor," he said. >--> >-->Chrysler spokesman Jason Vines discounted analysts' estimates of a negative >-->value, saying that Chrysler earned $4.92 billion between 1998 and 2006. >--> >-->He would not place a value on the company, but said it also is cutting >-->expenses and will introduce 20 new vehicles over the next three years as >-->well as 13 updated cars and trucks. >--> >-->The new products are a response to consumers' shifting from truck-based >-->vehicles to more fuel-efficient car-based models, he said. >--> >-->Zetsche, speaking Tuesday at the Geneva Motor Show, said he is confident >-->Chrysler Group's restructuring plan will work. He also said that the finance >-->arm of Chrysler could be sold. >--> >-->Chrysler on Feb. 14 announced plans to shed 13,000 jobs, including 11,000 >-->hourly and 2,000 salaried workers in the U.S. and Canada as part of its >-->restructuring plan. >--> >-->The company plans to close one manufacturing plant and make cuts at several >-->others in order to reduce factory capacity to match lower demand for its >-->products. >--> >-->Chrysler lost $1.475 billion in 2006 and said it expects losses to continue >-->through 2007. >--> >-->--- >--> >--> >-->By TOM KRISHER AP Business Writer >--> ----- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Snohomish, Washington -o|||||o- where Jeeps don't rust, they mold http://freegift.com ** http://wagoneers.com ** - ---------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ End of diesel-benz-digest V1 #2409 **********************************