Fiat

Japanese worries about the proposed merger's effects on the 20-year old Renault and Nissan alliance may have scuppered the proposed US$35 billion ($51 billion) merger between Renault and Fiat Chrysler (FCA). Sources have told Bloomberg Japanese officials informed their French counterparts about fears the proposed Fiat Chrysler and Renault merger could harm Nissan.

According to his lawsuit, Reid Bigland, head of US sales for Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and chief of the Ram brand, says he has been cooperating with a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) investigation into the company's sales reporting practices, including allegations it had wrongfully inflated numbers.

Nissan has reportedly rebuffed plans to merge with Renault, but the Japanese automaker is unlikely to oppose the proposed merger between Fiat Chrysler (FCA) and Renault. "Overall, we don't see any particularly negative aspect," Hiroto Saikawa, Nissan CEO, told reporters (including those from Reuters) after a meeting of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance board.

Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has completed the sale of it Magneti Marelli parts division to Calsonic Kansei for €5.8 billion ($9.2 billion) in cash. The sale price was adjusted down from the €6.2 billion ($9.8 billion) figure announced last year, as Magneti Marelli's financial position had changed. Magneti Marelli produces many automotive components, ranging for lights, powertrain parts, suspension gear and exhaust systems to motorsport pieces.

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.