May 7, 1998: Stuttgart, Germany-based Daimler-Benz, the maker of the upscale Mercedes Benz, announces a $36 billion merger with Chrysler. The new company, DaimlerChrysler AG, begins trading on the Frankfurt and New York stock exchanges Nov. 17.

DETROIT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Chrysler LLC has had talks with General Motors Corp about a deal to combine the No. 1 and No. 3 American automakers at a time when both are struggling to cut costs and shore up cash, according to three people familiar with the matter.

DETROIT - General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC have held preliminary talks about a merger or an acquisition of Chrysler by GM, according to published reports, a move which one Canadian union leader says will only serve to make members more insecure.

DETROIT/NEW YORK (Reuters) - General Motors has had talks with smaller rival Chrysler LLC about a merger that would combine the No. 1 and No. 3 American automakers at a time when both are struggling to cut costs and shore up cash, according to a source briefed on the matter.

TOKYO (AFP) - US giant Ford Motor Co. plans to sell most of its shares in Japan's Mazda to raise badly needed cash amid the current global financial crisis, press reports said on Saturday.