Rumormill: Lancia could be axed if Fiat-Chrysler-Opel deal goes through
Fiat's acting like it hasn't eaten in years, hungrily throwing down for the pieces of the business that troubled automakers are trying to spin off. General Motors Europe is seriously contemplating cutting free its Opel unit, and Fiat's Sergio Marchionne has been meeting with management and union higher-ups in Russelsheim about a deal that would see Fiat taking on Chrysler and Opel.
As part of the merger, rumors are flying that Fiat's sub-brand Lancia, good for about 100,000 units annually, would be shuttered. The Lancia dealer's association says this is nonsense, citing the brand's relative success in its home market. As the clock ticks down to the June 1 deadline for GM, all creative options are being explored, so you can be sure that a Fiat/Chrysler/Opel trifecta is but one of the possibilities getting scrutiny at the moment.
[Source: Forbes]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
dukeisduke 11:09AM (5/19/2009)
Aren't what they build nowadays basically Fiats?
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Metar 12:05PM (5/19/2009)
Sadly. The company that produced magnificent rally-cars and shoddy-built road versions builds luxury-versions of Fiats these days. That, and the odd Thesis.
Kitko 1:53PM (5/19/2009)
Yes, they do. It goes like this - Fiat > Alfa Romeo > Lancia. Something like Skoda > VW > Audi. Same car, same machinery, more leather and wood. And higher prices. For the same reliability and built quality.
Bloke 11:13AM (5/19/2009)
Autoblog: Marchionne stated this over a week ago. He also stated he would also axe Saab, close down ten factories including Luton and Ellesmere Port if Vauxhall was included in the deal.
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AUTOMANIAC 12:07PM (5/19/2009)
untrue. marchionne stated that no factories will be closed nor lancia. this is only press selling stories.
Bloke 12:36PM (5/19/2009)
Marchionne did actually state that "would be little room for Lancia and Saab" and also stated that up to ten plants would be closed if all of GME had to be bought lock, stock and barrel.
Flea 11:20AM (5/19/2009)
Lancia's main market is small, comfortable and luxurious cars like the Musa and the Ypsilon. They don't really overlap with anyone.
So yeah, this is nonsense, especially because the rumour was spread from german media, who obviously hate the idea of having one of their companies fall into italian hands (payback for Lamborghini, heh heh.) and would do anything to throw some fear around to break the deal.
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rsfourever 12:02PM (5/19/2009)
i would give up opel for lamborghini in a hearbeat, especially since opel isn't even owned by germans as it is (and hasn't been for half a century)
hypermiler 11:24AM (5/19/2009)
Good God Lancia will be saved since Germans prefer Magna to Fiat,
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Colin Smith 11:38AM (5/19/2009)
Lancias are indeed plushed-up Fiats and share all the engines and gearboxes, and much else besides, but they have a mood of their own, and the new Delta, although built on a Bravo floorpan, has had it lengthened by four inches to give excellent rear legroom.
I don't know when Lancia will reach true profitability for Fiat, but it does appear that if there is one local brand Fiat has to ditch it would indeed be Lancia. There again, Lancia and Opel don't really compete for the same buyers, so what would be the point?
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korona 11:41AM (5/19/2009)
It's a shame, the new Delta looks amazing.
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Shiftright 11:52AM (5/19/2009)
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
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katshot 11:54AM (5/19/2009)
I must be missing something since I can't imagine anybody missing Lancia.
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Eduardo 4:23PM (5/19/2009)
I would miss Lancia. not only for its fantastic 1st gen Delta or for my all-time favourite sportscar, the Flaminia, but I think this new Delta is gorgeous.
also, in my dreams Lancia would be an upper division of Subaru, with more refinement and confort (and best materials as well) topping that superb Japanese powertrain.
dukeisduke 12:29PM (5/19/2009)
I hate seeing long-lived nameplates disappear, but, nothing lasts forever.
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Rick C. 12:50PM (5/19/2009)
Does this mean no more killer rally cars in the future? Think of the lost history. Stratos, Rally 037, Integrale. Such a shame.
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010111 2:52PM (5/19/2009)
what killer rally cars do they make now? i think the history was lost long ago.
Quuppa 2:12PM (5/19/2009)
"Yes, they do. It goes like this - Fiat > Alfa Romeo > Lancia. Something like Skoda > VW > Audi. Same car, same machinery, more leather and wood. And higher prices. For the same reliability and built quality."
more like Fiat > Lancia. > Alfa Romeo , Alfa has been more different than the two others, Lancia has been basically just rebadged Fiat many years, but Alfa has some own engines and platforms... and reliability and built quality is not same in every brand , beacuse cars are made in different places and factories... imo Lancia could have been axex many years ago... it has got no investmenst than the ne Delta (lengthend Bravo).
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Nick 3:11PM (5/19/2009)
Why would they pursue Saab if they plan on dropping it?
As for Lancia, 100 000 units I guess if they don't see potential for the brand and they will be adding Opel, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge anyway, why not drop it.
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P.V. 5:10PM (5/19/2009)
The new Delta is very good, and it will be the only (current) Lancia I will miss (if this axing occurs).
That said, what is the difference between it and Alfa Romeo? Aren't both vying for the upper-end segment?
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