The consensus: It makes sense on paper, but whether GM could execute this merger is very much in doubt. Here's why it might work.
Chrysler comes with $10 Billion in cash and the automaker's parent, Cerberus Capital, might pay GM another $3 Billion to unload the operation. So GM could get Chrysler and $13 Billion in exchange for Cerberus taking an equity stake in GM.
With that money, GM now has a lifeline at a time when it needs cash to make it to 2010 when it's costs will drop and a slew of new models are expected to help the bottom line.