Comments on: FIAT & Chrysler in merger talks

By: Spitfire

Spitfire — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:43:49 +0000

Most mergers that have taken place over the last few years have ended in acrimony and tears. This will be no different.

By: SteveC

SteveC — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 21:50:23 +0000

I can’t see why any car manufacturer would want to take on any US based car platform, ideas, etc. I think Chrysler needs FIAT’s great small engines that are powerful and economical.

Basically, this is Chrysler saying “We can’t build small cars if our life depended on it, someone else, please help”.

Either way, people in the US will have better cars and FIAT will have market penetration. WIN-WIN. Lets hope.

I’d hate to see a rebadged Chrysler with a FIAT logo on it… Christ! I just had a shiver.

SteveC

By: Elitist

Elitist — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 12:27:58 +0000

AAA-
GM got Diesel technology from the deal… Fiat is very good at this. They own Iveco as well, who uses diesel.

Wheelnut-
Fiat has been through alot of trouble in the last decades and have become a professional at strategy reform.
After all they run 3 other successful car companies as well as AVIO and a few others.

From what ive read-

“Under the terms of the deal, Fiat will get a 35% stake in the troubled US firm in return for access to its fuel-efficient vehicle technologies.”

Looks like Fiat is using this deal to use Chrysler factories and distribution. Chrylser gets better technology for fuel efficient small cars and money they badly need….

By: Wheelnut

Wheelnut — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:34:19 +0000

If Mercedes-Benz couldn’t help Dodge-Chrysler what chance does Fiat have? Although a Hemi Powered Punto would be awesome

By: AAA

AAA — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:12:59 +0000

What can u get out of Fiat? Unreliable cars? In the GM-Fiat merger a couple of years ago.. GM got nothing out of Fiat and they had to pay Fiat US$2 billion to get away from Fiat.. Fiat is smart.

By: Elitist

Elitist — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 09:01:37 +0000

Bad move FIAT..
In the 80′s Chrysler was somebody, now…Just let em die in peace they cant help you…
Unless FIAT wants some of that bail-out money???

he…he….heh!

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:59:38 +0000

Damn, Chrysler just can’t exist without being married to another carmaker.

Just let the company die, fiat could then buy the dealer network for peanuts and not have to sit in the same meeting room with the can’t do anything without a partner Chrysler people.

Surely Fiat will study where Merc went sour while in bed with Chrysler and avoid a similar theft of expertise by the americans.

By: Mark B

Mark B — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:55:21 +0000

Tell you what: I’d love to import a Charger and convert it to RHD. Sure it’s just a re-dressed 300C, but you’d be the only bugger in town with one – and they look pretty tough, imo.

That’s off-topic though. Right on the money with the dealer network observation – silly not to have picked it myself.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:20:50 +0000

I think some of you are right in Fiat looking for a dealer network. Small cars for sure, but comercial vehicles through those outlets are probably more on the cards. Particularly as comparatively economical Motor Homes. Fiat cars can always be tagged to Ferrari outlets as a low volume niche market car in the states. The Paris types would fall for that in an instant.

By: Schah7

Schah7 — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:07:05 +0000

Thank God anyone other than G.M getting their dirty hands
on Chrysler
I’d rather FoMoCo any day having a share or joint venture.