In addition to Nissan/Renault, Chrysler has been talking with Tata, Fiat
Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's current CEO, has given his employees the closest thing to an admission as we are likely to see that the company has been in serious negotiations with other automakers regarding future product plans and possibly even mergers. As has been widely reported over the weekend, Chrysler has apparently had discussions with General Motors regarding a tie-up between the two automakers, and the rumormill is churning away with stories that GM isn't the only suitor. Carlos Ghosn already has a history of merging automakers, and his Nissan/Renault partnership has naturally been recalled as a possible mate with Chrysler, as have Fiat and Tata Motors. Remember that there's nothing concrete here to report, just speculation. At this point, all we know is that Nardelli admits that there are "third parties who are interested in exploring future possibilities with Chrysler" and that "as the company evaluates strategic options to maximize core operations and leverage its assets, we engage in a dialogue with these parties." Sounds pretty vague, wouldn't you say? These talks can be routine or they could be much more. We'll just have to keep an interested eye on the news.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Torrent 7:37PM (10/14/2008)
TOO MANY MANUFACTURERS.
Chrysler. Stop......
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Torrent 7:38PM (10/14/2008)
Although we could use a Fiat 500 to serve as the Hornet for Dodge......
Gabagool 7:53PM (10/14/2008)
Torrent that would be a good idea. Fiat doesn't have anything in North America, and Chrysler would be a dirt cheap way of getting in.
Dasupersprint 8:45PM (10/14/2008)
Remenber that the Fiat 500 shares its platform with the new Ford Ka...so we'd have the Ka...by Chrysler?
Torrent 8:47PM (10/14/2008)
Let's just think of it as a 500, please. sounds better.....
Kitko 8:49PM (10/14/2008)
Karysler anyone?
IqbalM 9:43PM (10/14/2008)
Re Gabagool:"Fiat doesn't have anything in North America"
What about Ferrari and Maserati, those marques are owned by FIAT?
Torrent 10:55PM (10/14/2008)
IgbalM:"What about Ferrari and Maserati, those marques are owned by FIAT?"
We're mainly talking about a car that you can just go out and buy. Not one that has a 200 year waiting list.....
AZZO45b 12:45AM (10/15/2008)
The Dodge Hornet is going to be a NISSAN... its being worked on & Cerberus Chrysler has contracts with them so no Alfa/ Fiat "Hornet".
If Fiat bought Chrysler... IMO there would be no more Chrysler Dodge & Jeep. Alfa is coming back to the US market & I feel Fiat would use existing Chrysler LLC plants & dealer network.
Dodge trucks... Fiat might want to maintain a holding in trucks SUV's but is the Dodge nameplate that valued?
The Viper tech is rumored to be up for sale & I could see Fiat keeping the Challenger going (Make themselves seem "old school" American in certain segments). The Charger sells well as a police pkg.
Would Fiat want an SUV? Jeeps history still worth keeping. If GM sells Hummer than Jeep might get spun off as well??? Jeep division might be saved in Nissan/ Renault is the buyer for Chrysler.
Just my 0.02 of auto speculation...
Dasupersprint 7:44PM (10/14/2008)
Just make one huge worldwide automaker!
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3seriesisking 7:48PM (10/14/2008)
Some competition helps the industry, especially for us consumers. Without it, motivation for improvements/innovations is severely limited.
Dasupersprint 7:53PM (10/14/2008)
Yeah, I know all that, it was just a joke...
Brn 8:33AM (10/15/2008)
3seriesisking, that's what government regulation is for.
jv2k 7:45PM (10/14/2008)
I can't wait to drive the Car Brand 1. Way better than the imports from the southern hemisphere.
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hatchbacks are cool 8:21PM (10/14/2008)
I hope that Chrysler dose not make sell on of tata's car . Rover Tried it with the CityRover and very few people brought it . Rover was in the same satiation that Chrysler is in now .
http://www.channel4.com/4car/rt/city+cars/full+road+test/295/2
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hatchbacks are cool 8:23PM (10/14/2008)
before you have a go at more about my spelling i meant situation not satiation on my review above
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whofan 8:48PM (10/14/2008)
I don`t think GM and Chrysler should merge. I do think the Detroit 3 should stop veiwing each other as rivals and team up and take on the world.
If Ford GM and Chrysler would share engines transmissions and platforms together they would work well together
Difference in culture is a hinderence to strategic planning.
The Diamler Chrysler merger is proof of that.
You Could have The Ford GM Chrysler style and personality While all three reap the benafits of sharing development cost.
These companys would not have to merge they would just have to share the burdon of engineering and purchasing raw materials. work together as one.
I always thought if I could take the best from each Ford Chevy and Dodge and build one truck then I would truly have a great truck.
I can find somthing from each make that I like better than the other.
A transparent partener ship between the big 3 Is what they need.
Its not Chevy vs Ford vs Dodge anymore. Its the American auto industry against the world.
I think trough extensive testing engineering without worring who gets it first we can build a superior product and win back the American and gain the world customer.
We need to reach out to the UAW and make them a partner then get them to share a new vision with the companys in question.
Getting in bed with a foriegn automaker who has little interest in the American economy or understanding of the culture is not good.
Diamler could have made Chrysler great but what did they do? They stripped it and sold it off
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iQuack 8:58PM (10/14/2008)
Chrysler merging with GM would be like two drunks trying to hold each other up.
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AZZO45b 12:34AM (10/15/2008)
Sad but TRUE!!!
Lar 1:52AM (10/15/2008)
Ha! There it is, folks.