RE: Fiat Wants Chrysler And Opel
Friday 24th April 2009
If the bold strategy succeeds, the new Fiat group could triple its production to 6m vehicles annually according to industry analysts – although not before a vicious cost-cutting exercise slashes through major areas of overlap between the three companies.
According to a Financial Times article today, Fiat insiders have confirmed they are talking to the German government about a possible move on Opel. However discussions are at an early stage, and Fiat is expected to face strong resistance from German unions who fear major job losses if such a union goes ahead.
Fiat Wants Chrysler And Opel
Bold acquisition strategy to create new automotive superpower
Fiat is intent on becoming the next global automotive superpower, with its sights set on swallowing both Chrysler and GM’s European division Opel.
Fiat is well advanced in negotiations to secure Chrysler, which is currently less than a week away from bankruptcy if it can’t show the US government it is a viable contender for more bailout funds.
The chief executive of Fiat, Sergio Marchionne has confirmed the intention to cement a deal with Chrysler remains Fiat’s ‘first and foremost objective’. However Marchionne has also said Fiat will be a ‘willing player’ in a drive to further industry consolidation.
Discussion
LewisR said:
Can't anyone at Fiat remember what happened the last time they joined with a big US OEM (GM). It all went feet up, rather expensively too!
It ended expensively for GM, not for Fiat.http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/feb200...
Lextacy said:
All three won't touch, can't touch brands !!! Crap cars, crap engines and very hefty depreciation !!!!!
I'd suggest getting a clue before coming up with such generalisations. Fiat's range at the moment is excellent, their engines are clearly that terible that Ford and GM are buying them and depreciation on them seems to be slowing down as well. Fiat are about the only car company on the up at the moment, and they've done this by releasing good products at a good price. 
ks.Lextacy said:
All three won't touch, can't touch brands !!! Crap cars, crap engines and very hefty depreciation !!!!!
That must be why GM LS series V8 engines are widely regarded as some of the most robust, low maintainence, compact and lightweight V8s ever built.Where did you get that little nugget of rubbish info from then?
Can understand Opel because a lot of recent developments and platfroms/engines were shared anyway during the FIAT Gm partnership so would possibly optimize synergies, however Chrysler 
- that almost broke Daimler and they are in a different league - unless Fiat wants to brake it apart, use the dealerships to get ALFA and Lancia back in the US market and keep the profitable divisons (i.e. Jeep as Fiat has no off road credentials)and poss the trucks to merge with IVECO????
- that almost broke Daimler and they are in a different league - unless Fiat wants to brake it apart, use the dealerships to get ALFA and Lancia back in the US market and keep the profitable divisons (i.e. Jeep as Fiat has no off road credentials)and poss the trucks to merge with IVECO????When Daimler had a go at Chrysler, it was 'you vil do vot ve say' - and they didn't. Tears
Sr Marchione is a shrewd guy and he would say 'we will do what is best'* and very likely strip out things like Jeep
* possibly with severed horses heads in bed with those who don't.
Could not agree more that the Fiat product has been moving up and up - and Lancia still has that image despite the attempts to dent it.
At PH we all know a Lancia is a Fiat - only fancier !
Joe Bloggs in Kentucky may not and probably doesn't care if his fancy Latin import wheels enhance his image.
The Opel move is a classic of moving in when they are at their most vulnerable. Marchione knows the German government will bail them out the moment he wants to lay anyone off and the fusion of two good brands could work. Vauxhall looks very, very vulnerable, all of a sudden.
Sr Marchione is a shrewd guy and he would say 'we will do what is best'* and very likely strip out things like Jeep
* possibly with severed horses heads in bed with those who don't.
Could not agree more that the Fiat product has been moving up and up - and Lancia still has that image despite the attempts to dent it.
At PH we all know a Lancia is a Fiat - only fancier !
Joe Bloggs in Kentucky may not and probably doesn't care if his fancy Latin import wheels enhance his image.
The Opel move is a classic of moving in when they are at their most vulnerable. Marchione knows the German government will bail them out the moment he wants to lay anyone off and the fusion of two good brands could work. Vauxhall looks very, very vulnerable, all of a sudden.
bodhi said:
Lextacy said:
All three won't touch, can't touch brands !!! Crap cars, crap engines and very hefty depreciation !!!!!
I'd suggest getting a clue before coming up with such generalisations. Fiat's range at the moment is excellent, their engines are clearly that terible that Ford and GM are buying them and depreciation on them seems to be slowing down as well. Fiat are about the only car company on the up at the moment, and they've done this by releasing good products at a good price. cramorra said:
rabw said:
Panayiotis said:
qube_TA said:
I want a Fiat 500 with an LS9 engine in!
Prob not, more like"The 2011 1.1L Chevy Corvette, America and Italy come together at last"
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