Team-BHP > The International Automotive Scene


Reply
  Search this Thread
20,887 views
Old 20th May 2016, 23:21   #31
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Beans Town
Posts: 1,847
Thanked: 8,351 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Quote:
Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR View Post
FIAT probably swallowed more than it can digest, when it acquired the ailing Chrysler to try and turn it around. But more than that, their long product refresh cycles in the international market has been the biggest weakness of the brand since long.
Their inability to refresh product cycles and extremely poor marketing are the key reasons. The Premier Padmini and NE 118 (Fiat 124) succeeded due to literally zero competition. As a very small kid in the early 90's we did have a Premier Padmini and it was a great car for its time even though it was 2 decades behind time when it arrived in India.. spacious, solid and super comfortable and that remains my sole connection with Fiat.

Brands that came later on like Maruti-Suzuki's 800, even though quite inferior to a Fiat (we owned an 800 too and the Padmini was superior in every which way including space and power), still succeeded because of the newness factor - bucket seats, floor mounted gear shifters and superb mileage along with good service support turned 800 into the national car by snatching the title from Fiat quite easily. Subsequent products by Fiat which included the Uno, Palio, Petra etc suffered from bad sales and service support and were late to the game by a few years where Maruti had already launched the Esteem, 1000, Zen etc. Punto and Linea too suffer from the same fate, both were/are ahead of their time.. but were never tweaked, updated, marketed and hence never appreciated as well.

Fiat as a company is going nowhere, their main income is from Ferrari, a company they acquired not created. I know this room has a huge fan-base of Sergio Marchionne but he is exactly what his education is, a chartered accountant. He knows the numbers and he's very very conservative about them, definitely not an adventurous leader focussed on expansion and growth, rather someone who'd pick the ripe cherries and play it safe. His latest move on finding an industry partner is his best yet and I hope for any company other than VW to buy a stake in Fiat-Chrysler soon. Otherwise we'll end up with a Polo re-badged as a Punto.

Last edited by dark.knight : 20th May 2016 at 23:22.
dark.knight is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 14th June 2016, 13:03   #32
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne is still on the lookout for a merger with another automaker. He firmly believes consolidation is the only future for the industry, or at least for his company, but he can’t find anyone willing to team up with him.


GM said no thanks, and Ford said no before anyone even asked. Marchionne still sees Volkswagen and Toyota as potentials, but neither has much incentive to take him on.

There is one company out there, though, that might be both the right fit and the right amount of desperate: PSA.

FCA bluntly seems not interested in PSA
Quote:
We realized that even though there was a certain advantage in an association with PSA, it was an advantage that was too little and that in effect would limit the choices open to FCA going forward
PSA puts it more diplomatically
Quote:
Tavares, for his part, was less dismissive and has simply said he hasn’t talked to FCA about a merger
With Toyota and VW not interested in the merger nor tie-up, both ( FCA and PSA) may need to reconsider their positions, Marchionne in particular!

http://www.motortrend.com/news/fiat-...itroen-profit/
volkman10 is offline  
Old 16th February 2017, 08:23   #33
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Analysts are seeing GM’s proposed sale of its European business creating an opening for FCA to revive its long-standing -- and one-sided effort -- to combine with GM.

Quote:
Shedding Opel would eliminate GM’s overlap with Fiat in Europe and clear the way for the largest U.S. automaker to replace money-losing operations with Fiat’s profitable brands.
But GM's Barra is still not interested.

Quote:
GM’s Barra, meanwhile, is looking to essentially exit Europe. A sale of Opel will hand PSA more scale and technology, bolstering a direct rival of Fiat Chrysler in Europe and potentially making the company a less attractive merger partner
But on the possibility of alignment of GM-FCA shares of both companies have risen.

Link
volkman10 is offline  
Old 8th March 2017, 18:53   #34
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

FCA boss Sergio Marchionne.tries to woo Volkswagen for a merger. VW out-rightly rejects the proposal.

Quote:
Volkswagen Group is not open to merger talks with Italian rival Fiat Chrysler, CEO Matthias Mueller said on Wednesday, rebuffing comments from FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Quote:
We are not ready for talks about anything, We have other problems
link
volkman10 is offline  
Old 16th March 2017, 07:04   #35
MCR
BHPian
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: BLR/MYS
Posts: 882
Thanked: 636 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

FCA - VW merger claims loom large!

Looks like FCA is playing a waiting game, whereas VW is seriously looking at a Partner!

Link to the article : https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidki.../#2aec57ff156c
MCR is offline  
Old 23rd March 2017, 07:40   #36
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

FCA desperately needs a merger - Looks up to Volkswagen!

Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?-marchionne1a.jpg

FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne is continuing to not-so-subtly beg for a merger with Volkswagen, if his latest statements are anything to go by.

Quote:
We are waiting with anticipation. There are 4-5 of us (carmakers) at the global level, if something needs to be done, it will be done. I haven't seen Muller in 6-7 months, but I will go find him at the first opportunity.
Link
volkman10 is offline  
Old 17th April 2017, 08:09   #37
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

FCA Boss Marchionne Stops Search For A Merger Partner.

Sergio Marchionne, Fiat Chrysler Automobile boss, is giving up on his idea of a merger with another automaker,the manufacturer is currently not in a position to seek possible deals and will instead continue to follow its own business plan.

Quote:
Marchionne, who will leave the company in early 2019 after 15 years on the helm, has been in search for a merger partner in the last couple of years. He sees tie-ups as the best solution to reduce development and manufacturing costs, but confirmed FCA is currently not in talks with Volkswagen Group.
Quote:
On the Volkswagen issue, on the question if there are ongoing discussions, the answer is No
Link
volkman10 is offline  
Old 28th April 2017, 08:17   #38
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Would FCA sell off JEEP and RAM ? Probably YES!

Quote:
“Yes,” Marchionne said, before moving on to other topics. And, curiously, those on the call let the subject drop without a single follow-up query.
Marchionne's casual comment raises questions about carmaker’s future.

Link
volkman10 is offline  
Old 14th August 2017, 18:59   #39
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Will FCA go the Chinese way ? Rejected by major auto giants in the West Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne looks to the Far East.


While a potential takeover would likely include the Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram brands, FCA and its owners could spin off certain properties from the group as separate entities – much as it did with Ferrari and the industrial and agricultural divisions under the CNH Global umbrella


Quote:
Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne has made no secret of his desire for another merger. But without no major automakers in Europe or America showing any interest, Marchionne's switching his focus to the Far East
Quote:
Chinese automakers have been desperate to break into the large and lucrative North American market, and with the quality of their products having ostensibly improved, it could come down to infrastructure. And FCA has that in spades: 162 manufacturing plants around the world, 87 R&D facilities, and an extensive dealer network that numbers 2,600 showrooms in the United States alone. Executives from some major Chinese automakers have reportedly even gone so far as to meet with representatives of major American dealer groups in preparation for a possible FCA takeover, with reciprocal delegations traveling between China and Michigan to work out details.
link

Last edited by volkman10 : 14th August 2017 at 19:01.
volkman10 is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 18th August 2017, 12:57   #40
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,336
Thanked: 298,736 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Quote:
Originally Posted by volkman10 View Post
Will FCA go the Chinese way ? Rejected by major auto giants in the West Fiat Chrysler chief Sergio Marchionne looks to the Far East.
Damn, he is really, really desperate. After courting American, German & Japanese car makers, Sergio is now looking elsewhere. Would be a good way for a Chinese company with loads of cash to arrive on the international scene, but FCA has too many challenges. It's a mess. I don't know how a relatively inexperienced Chinese car maker could solve its problems.

If nothing works out, FCA should trim itself and focus only on profitable brands, products & markets. Taking a haircut would be the way ahead if they're left standing alone.
GTO is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 21st August 2017, 14:21   #41
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Aiming to become 'world's largest SUV maker' - China's Great Wall sets sights on Jeep

Quote:
Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor Co. is interested in buying the Jeep brand and has reached out to Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to see whether a deal can be negotiated
The move would slice Jeep from the rest of FCA's brands, leaving question marks over the future of Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge and Ram. FCA already said it would consider splitting Alfa Romeo and Maserati into their own company


Link

Last edited by volkman10 : 21st August 2017 at 14:22.
volkman10 is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 22nd August 2017, 13:34   #42
GTO
Team-BHP Support
 
GTO's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bombay
Posts: 70,336
Thanked: 298,736 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

FCA categorically denies even communicating with Great Wall Motors!

Quote:
In response to market rumors regarding a potential interest of Great Wall Motors in the Jeep brand, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles ("FCA") (NYSE: FCAU MTA: FCA) confirmed that it has not been approached by Great Wall Motors in connection with the Jeep brand or any other matter relating to its business.

FCA is fully committed to its 2014-18 plan, having achieved each one of its targets to date and with only 6 quarters left to its completion.
GTO is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 22nd August 2017, 14:04   #43
BHPian
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Leeds
Posts: 930
Thanked: 2,248 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

I don't understand how on earth Great Wall would hope to finance a deal for even a component brand of the FCA group, when Jeeps market value is so many times greater than Great Wall itself. Also Ram & Jeep sales are essentially keeping the lights on at FCA in many of their US factories at least and padding out the overall group bottom line. Sergio would be completely nuts to contemplate selling what is as of now the crown jewel in the whole group. Honestly he needs to get his act together, for years he was just chasing Mary Barra over at GM, switched tack to woo VW and when VW calls his bluff, he goes on the denial. What a temperamental guy.

He needs to get his head down and just put the time and effort in to focus on making good cars across the whole group in the bread winner segments instead of chasing wistful thinking like resurrecting the Alfa brand in the states as a German trio equivalent - not happening, at least in the time scales that Sergio wants, ie NOW! Under his stewardship we've seen a U-turn and churlish admission of a Ferrari SUV and a commitment to increase overall annual sales cap. All Sergio cares about now is a quick fix and a golden parachute for himself methinks.
ads11 is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 27th August 2017, 14:01   #44
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: --
Posts: 23,271
Thanked: 67,350 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

VW- FCA allaince brewing - but of a different kind!

FCA And Volkswagen Interested In Joint Production Of Utility Vehicles.

Cooperation could include jointly building future versions of VW’s Caddy van and Amarok midsize pickup trucks.

Quote:
Volkswagen isn’t seeking to buy Fiat Chrysler, but share development and production costs of next-gen workhorses.
Link
volkman10 is offline  
Old 27th August 2017, 17:24   #45
Team-BHP Support
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 14,841
Thanked: 27,797 Times
Re: Fiat-Chrysler looking for a merger - Who is the best fit?

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Damn, he is really, really desperate. After courting American, German & Japanese car makers, Sergio is now looking elsewhere. Would be a good way for a Chinese company with loads of cash to arrive on the international scene, but FCA has too many challenges. It's a mess. I don't know how a relatively inexperienced Chinese car maker could solve its problems.

If nothing works out, FCA should trim itself and focus only on profitable brands, products & markets. Taking a haircut would be the way ahead if they're left standing alone.
This is endemic of the overcapacity and uncertainly of future car ownership models. No-one wnats to invest unless it has an attractive model or market.

Companies want Jeep but no one really wants Fiat or Chrysler
ajmat is offline   (1) Thanks
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks