Auto threesome? Fiat CEO confirms pursuing partnership with Opel
As if Fiat doesn't have enough on its plate while working on an alliance with Chrysler during its bankruptcy proceedings, the Italian automaker's CEO has finally confirmed that it's pursuing an alliance with General Motors' German arm Opel.
In the Fiat-owned newspaper La Stampa, CEO Sergio Marchionne said, "Now we have to concentrate on Opel. They are our perfect partner."
Coupled with the Chrysler alliance, if the deal with Opel would go through, that would make Fiat the world's number-two automaker behind Toyota. However, both Italian and German labor leaders are opposed to the venture, fearing sizable cutbacks to both Opel and Fiat's workforce.
In GM's recently revised restructuring plan, the General's generals laid out a plan to spin-off the Opel and Vauxhall divisions into a separate unit, which would require another investor for GM to secure financial aid from the German government. Currently, GM claims to have six investors interested in Opel, and along with Fiat, Canada's Magna is also in the offing.
[Source: Autoweek | Image Source: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
racewithferrari 1:09PM (5/01/2009)
I dont see Ferrari and Maserati badge.
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the_MVP_X 1:20PM (5/01/2009)
Neither do I.
Ken Stamper 1:57PM (5/01/2009)
Although owned by Fiat, Ferrari/Maserati have always been operated independently of the rest of the Fiat Group.
LDMAN 2:29PM (5/01/2009)
Abarth is not visible either. It is just that Ferrari, Maserati, and Abarth do not like to be associated with "lesser" brands and the riff-raff.
AUTOMANIAC 3:32PM (5/01/2009)
i don't think there is enough space for fiat, alfa romeo, abarth, lancia, maserati ferrari, iveco, CNH, new holland, autobianchi, innocenti, chrysler, dodge, jeep, rootes, opel and vauxhall.
earlofhalflight 6:06PM (5/01/2009)
Rootes? That would require the Fiat-Peugeot merger to go ahead.
(Chrysler sold Rootes to Peugeot 30 years ago.)
Dude 1:20PM (5/01/2009)
Looks like Obama is creating a European GM.
Now THAT'S change you can believe in.
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the_MVP_X 1:29PM (5/01/2009)
A "euro GM" already exists and it's called the VW Group. Change my ass.
PJ 1:42PM (5/01/2009)
Chrysler was deep into its talks with Fiat in April 2008--over a year ago (search AB posts if you don't believe it). Somehow, I don't think Obama was involved with that.
Nor was it Obama's decision for the D3 to come running to Congress with their hands out, begging for an infusion of taxpayer money--and agreeing, of their own free will, to gov't oversight to ensure accountability to those taxpayers whose dollars they'd be spending.
The sudden adoption of the view that this whole mess is Obama's pet project mystifies me.
Todd 1:50PM (5/01/2009)
Pfff everything is Obama's fault now didn't you get the memo? Pure socialism I tell you! Or was it communism? Better throw in a Hussein for good measure.
Judy Zik 4:27PM (5/01/2009)
Actually customers and enthusiasts have been doing it for years by whinning that everything designed in Europe was better. Even Ford US is becoming Ford Europe. We have been gradually transfering all the techinical jobs for building anything smaller than a pickup to European offices. It only makes sense that the ownership is beginning to follow.
carlbolt 1:22PM (5/01/2009)
FIAT makes sure you don't bite more than you can chew.
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sk 1:19PM (5/01/2009)
Time to throw Saturn in the basket as well.
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Todd 1:44PM (5/01/2009)
Who in their right mind would take that steamy pile of poo.
sk 1:47PM (5/01/2009)
It's already an Opel based outlet anyway.
Alex 1:50PM (5/01/2009)
The steamy pile of poo you are speaking of is essentially the US arm of Opel much like Vauxhall is the UK arm.
That being said Fiat really doesn't need anything that Saturn would bring to the table that Chrysler doesn't already have (ie US dealer network, US factories).
Bloke 2:49PM (5/01/2009)
"The steamy pile of poo you are speaking of is essentially the US arm of Opel much like Vauxhall is the UK arm.
That being said Fiat really doesn't need anything that Saturn would bring to the table that Chrysler doesn't already have (ie US dealer network, US factories)."
Vauxhall is the British arm of GM Europe, while Opel is the German arm. Both are independent companies, albeit subsidiaries (in the case of Vauxhall, subsidiary of a subsidiary) of GM. Saturn Corp is also a subsidiary of GM, but it is outside of the auspices of GM Europe.
If Opel breaks away from GM completely, then Opel would either retain the platforms developed under GME leaving GM to provide Vauxhall with architecture from another source or contract out elsewhere (including Opel), or GME would retain the platforms and continue to use them on Vauxhalls, leaving Opel/Fiat to develop new products stemmed from Fiat Group. That said, the Punto and MiTo both use the SCCS platform developed in conjunction with GME, and GME currently use a number of diesel units bought from Fiat.
imoore 1:20PM (5/01/2009)
I don't think Fiat will win Opel. With Chrysler and Zastava, Fiat will become over-extended, and the EU and the unions (and the German government) will fight it every step of the way. I believe either Magna or SAIC will hook up with Opel-and this is one time that I hope to be wrong on this.
I'm also hoping this post goes through. Every time I've posted here, the system keeps identifying me as a new reader. Help me, Autoblog!
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Swede 1:51PM (5/01/2009)
Nobody in their right mind can favour SAIC over Fiat. The EU will not speak up against the single auto manufacturer that meets the current CO2-goals today. Sure Klaus Franz will be outraged, he is always outraged. At everything. Nobody takes that man serious anymore.
Kitko 1:33PM (5/01/2009)
I seriously can't see what's attractive, technology and business-wise alike, on both Chrysler and Opel. It makes look BMW buying Rover like a great idea. I could understand using Chrysler as backdoor to enter the USA. But while the 500 could attract certain market's niches, I can't see Puntos swarming US street. Not even in a Fiat sponsored sci-fi movie. And what could Fiat do with Opel? Bring down the quality and reliability? Find an outlet for its diesel engines? Every single Opel of today is a better car than the Fiat's counterpart.
If Fiat has plan that will actually work with both Chrysler and Opel, they must have found a solution that no businessman has ever thought of before and will be buying Toyota, GM, Honda and Mercedes in 5 years.
By the way, remember the times when Ferraris were on the front row of the grid?
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