Chrysler

Renault and Nissan are reportedly in talks to rebalance their alliance with the aim of restarting Renault's proposed merger with Fiat Chrysler (FCA). Sources have told The Wall Street Journal about the discussions, which centre around plans to reduce Renault's 43.4 per cent shareholding in Nissan. Any reduction in Renault's Nissan stake would require the approval of the French government, which holds a 15 per cent share and supersized voting rights in the French automaker.

Bill Ford, chairman of Ford, has revealed he had discussions with Sergio Marchionne, then-CEO of Fiat Chrysler (FCA), about merging the two companies. At the EcoMobility conference in Tel Aviv, Ford revealed to journalists, including those from Automotive News Europe, he had a "number of dinners together [with Marchionne] talking about ... whether Ford and FCA would be a good fit". Saying "the timing certainly wasn't ideal", the discussions didn't end in a deal.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) has announced it's withdrawing its proposal to merge with Groupe Renault, in a press release issued this morning. "The Board of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V., meeting this evening under the Chairmanship of John Elkann, has resolved to withdraw with immediate effect its merger proposal made to Groupe Renault," the statement said.

With EU emissions regulations tightening up in the next few years, some automakers have begun to embrace partial or full electrification as a way of avoid hefty fines. Although Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has announced plans to launch make Maserati a largely electric brand, add plug-in hybrids to its Jeep range, and make the next-generation Fiat 500 fully electric, none of these moves will help much in the short term.

Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley has confirmed the carmaker is "very open" to working with other manufacturers in essentially any form, as he looks for "any deal that would make Fiat stronger". Speaking with Automotive News at the Geneva motor show, he confirmed he's "very open" to working with other car makers in any way, shape or form, and is amenable to "any deal that would make Fiat stronger".