This HAS to be an April Fools joke....

[The Historian]

http://www.sjbizjournal.us/sanjose/stories/2008/03/31/daily75.html

Car giant takes stake in bicycle industry, acquiring Specialized Bicycles

General Motors has announced the acquisition of Specialized Bicycle Components. The boards of directors of both companies approved the acquisition on Friday. The acquisition is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2008 pending regulatory approval in the US, Canada and Europe. Terms of the all-share acquisition from Specialized Founder and President Mike Sinyard and Merida of Taiwan were not disclosed.....

[harleyfrog]

Yep, April Fools (http://www.bikebiz.com/news/29459/GM-takes-Specialized-back-into-all-American-ownership)

[ericy]

http://www.bikebiz.com/news/29459/GM-takes-Specialized-back-into-all-American-ownership

APRIL 1st: Car giant does NOT take stake in bicycle industry, acquiring Specialized from Mike Sinyard and Merida of Taiwan.

Well, this spoof certainly worked! I started getting 'wow, really big news!' emails just minutes after I posted the story below soon after midnight. A number of those taken in by the prank, including a trade news website, can be seen here.

Specialized was not in on the joke. Nor was the San Jose Business Journal. That page was a brilliant fake by Richard Masoner of US blog Cyclelicio.us. Also in on the joke, and helping to spread the misinformation, was Tim Grahl and Arleigh Jenkins of Commute by Bike.

Over on Bicycleretailer.com, Specialized Founder Mike Sinyard laughed at the prank and said:

[Artkansas]

http://www.sjbizjournal.us/sanjose/stories/2008/03/31/daily75.htmlGeneral Motors has announced the acquisition of Specialized Bicycle Components.....

Kent Bicycles would have been a far better choice for GM. The already have the branding contracts for 3 GM products, GMC, Hummer and Cadillac. Their philosopy of quality and mass distribution might be closer as well.