We're not a straight car industry news site, but this sounds ominous enough to be worth reporting: according to Automotive News, the rumored General Motors and Chrysler LLC merger would close up to half of Chrysler's factories, eliminate up to 200,000 jobs, and eliminate all but seven of its core models, according to a consultant close to the negotiations.

Kimberly Rodriguez, principal of Grant Thornton's automotive practice, said negotiators may reach an agreement as soon as Tuesday, Nov. 4, pending the U.S. government's help with the deal.

The only vehicles likely to survive in Chrysler's line-up would be the Dodge Ram pickup, the Chrysler and Dodge minivans, and various Jeeps like the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee. That's a far cry from just discontinuing the large SUVs.

"Chrysler as we know it will cease to exist very soon," Rodriguez said at a briefing with reporters today in suburban Detroit, the article said. "There are few options available to either company."