2013 Audi A3

Marchionne confident Fiat can help Chrysler

 
1 1,434 views Mar 5, 2009
Follow Nelson

Just a day after being released for sale by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Fiat-Chrysler sale is final

Just a day after being released for sale by the U.S. Supreme Court, the Fiat-Chrysler sale is final

Enlarge Photo
The Fiat-Chrysler partnership has been brewing since well before the economic meltdown and federal loan bonanza of late 2008, but it's still taking shape as the carmakers find ways to work to their mutual benefit. Today Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne reaffirmed his confidence that Fiat will be able to help Chrysler out of its hole.

In fact, Marchionne thinks Fiat will not just help Chrysler out of the red, but add significant value to its operations. Technology, products and design are some of the ways Fiat will bolster Chrysler's business situation, he says.

Far from the picture of the out-of-touch and clueless management the mainstream media portrays of Detroit, Marchionne told White House officials he was impressed with Chrysler's recognition of their problems, reports The Detroit News. "The feeling that I got from them is that they recognize the magnitude of the problem and there's an absolute determination to finding a solution. At least, they're engaged."

Whether being 'engaged' is enough to save the day, however, is another matter. There are many in the industry that point to Chrysler's performance over the past decade as evidence that it is rotting from within. Even Daimler's infusion of technology and resources didn't improve Chrysler's position in the market.

So what makes Fiat's partnership different? It will essentially be giving its "technology, platforms, engines, know-how" and more to Chrysler for free, saving billions in R&D over the next 7 years. With the new products and technology, Fiat thinks Chrysler will be armed with the size and variety it needs to not just survive the coming decade, but reach profitability.



Tags:
Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
Comment (1)

  1. ma_NoNameDenton avatar NoNameDenton Posted: 3/5/2009 7:59pm PST

    One could only hope (well I hope because I drive a Dodge)
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.