Is Mr Marchionne going to pull off the auto merger of the decade, create a mega-mix mess or fail? According to The Economist he may stitch together a deal that merges Fiat, Chrysler and Opel, largely funded by US and German Govt subsidies.
You have to admire his nerve, taking on Chrysler while whipping Opel out of GM control is one heck of a task. Mind you, Fiat have benefited from GM troubles before, maybe they will again.
Fiat’s grand plans - www.economist.com
"...by the end of next week Fiat could have forged a huge shiny new car company for no outlay of cash or Mr Marchionne’s impressively ambitious plans could have come to nothing."
(from TypePad)
[這個好] Another one that I predicted but didn’t blog! I wish I had again!
Posted by: Jack Yan | 04/27/2009 at 02:50 AM
I'll believe you... :-)
Opel I can see makes sense, Chrysler looks like a very risky way to get some US dealers (maybe production sites) and a whole lot of baggage.
Still, if anyone can make it work I reckon Mr Marchionne (& associates) can!
Posted by: RobiNZ | 04/27/2009 at 07:01 PM
Thanks, Robin. Opel and Fiat have shared platforms, as you know, so it’s a natural fit. Chrysler: I think what they do with it will have to be as radical as what Iacocca pledged when he was getting the loan guarantees, but they had better act quickly. The minivans need to stay and if they can give Chryslers the sort of reliability that newer Fiats have, then there’s a chance. I’d rather have a 159 than any Dodge Avenger or Chrysler Sebring!
Culturally, Marchionne and Nardelli are better fits as bosses culturally than the Germans ever were when they took over the firm in the 1990s.
Posted by: Jack Yan | 04/29/2009 at 09:56 AM
Did you ever read the book on the Daimler Chrysler "merger". The Germans were amazed how insular the US management were, many didn't have passports!
Posted by: RobiNZ | 04/29/2009 at 07:55 PM
[這個好] I didn’t, but at the time I said it was a takeover—and was pretty critical on how Stuttgart messed up a lean, innovative operation and a great culture. Chrysler may have been insular but in 1995 it was quicker than the Japanese in getting ideas to market—also remember there were guys like Bob Lutz and François Castaing heading parts of it. I think the business could have internationalized well because those LH cars were really good, and the Viper and Prowler had their fans. I saw Chrysler as being more like a pre-BL Rover when it was taken over: great ideas, snuffed out by the new mob.
Posted by: Jack Yan | 04/29/2009 at 11:13 PM
I wonder how many books are being prepared at the moment? Some interesting tales about the demise/revolution/re-invention of the Auto industry I suspect!
Posted by: RobiNZ | 05/01/2009 at 11:24 PM
[這個好] It’s one of the most interesting times to watch the changes!
Posted by: Jack Yan | 05/01/2009 at 11:35 PM
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