Fiat to take over Chrysler?

[TTaM]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123238519459294991.html?mod=special_page_campaig n2008_mostpop

This probably means lots of cool models coming to the US.

[flippinvw]

Fiat and Alfa in the US. This is good. Even if it will probably only last a few years and cost Fiat lots and lots of money.

[audivwdave]

I hope this happens then we can expand the euro lineup in the united states instead of every asian car ever made coming here.

[nodubjustyet]

wow... reliability at its finest - or not.

[audivwdave]

We drive vws we dont care about reliability.

[nodubjustyet]

German reliability is bounds ahead of FIAT... and that's not saying a whole lot.

Econo Italian cars are on par with British Leyland...

[paulzeee]

German reliability is bounds ahead of FIAT... and that's not saying a whole lot.

Econo Italian cars are on par with British Leyland...


but but but they are little, and its the new trend. Americans love trendy trends

[sprstu]

didnt fiat also buy Ferrari?

[Tonys]

didnt fiat also buy Ferrari?

In 1969.

Interesting that they are forming an alliance with Chrysler since they tried to force GM to buy them a few years ago and reportedly were trying to dump the business at Ford and a few other places before the market meltdown. Fiat has been rumored to want out of the car business for some time.

[equate975]

Should turn out to be interesting, hopefully we get some cool fiats out of the deal.

http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/jan2009/db20090120_910233.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index +-+temp_news+%2B+analysis

:Even if Fiat exports some of its Alfa Romeo or Fiat brand cars to the U.S. for sale at Chrysler dealerships, it would take 18 months to get the cars in compliance with American emission and safety standards, Robinet says. Retooling a factory to make Chrysler versions of Fiat passenger cars could take three or four years. Says Robinet: "We're looking at 2011 at the earliest. And that's aggressive.":

I was looking to buy this alfa 164l a while back, but like others said not reliable at all lol. I don't know how they are doing these days.

[Dex4]

I would like a Fiat 500 with the 1.4L turbo.:thumbup:

[audivwdave]

So fiat wont be badged fiat? Forget it,Im not buying a chysler neon 500.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3427/3213387838_8f07bdd22b_o.jpg

[equate975]

lol just go on ebay.co.uk and get the right badges ;)

I'm still gonna go check out the new saturn ion. Its just an opel astra in disguise. if top gear serves me correctly its supposed to be a pretty decent car.

[nodubjustyet]

you mean Saturn Astra, right?

[The_Stig]

Whatever gets more Alfas in the US, and not just the C8.

[audivwdave]

Most saturns you can replace the front grills with opel stuff but the airbag and the rears are not at compliable.

[equate975]

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/26/fiat-chrysler-partnership-will-bring-7-new-models-to-u-s/

Looks like we are going to get the 500!!!

[audivwdave]

I hope the 500 keeps the fiat badge. That panda is U.G.L.Y. ! The alfa mito will be sweet.

[toasted]

This reminds me of the late 70's when AMC added Renault to their dealerships here in America. What did we get out of it? The LeCar and the Alliance... lol

Now if Fiat actually brings over some cool cars through this deal, then I'm cool with it. But I can't help but be skeptical.

[audivwdave]

Now I heard that this isnt 100% gonna happen unless the US treasury dept or something accepts it.

[mimalmo]

http://www.twincities.com/news/ci_12546938?nclick_check=1


High court blocks Chrysler sale to Fiat


WASHINGTON — Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg today delayed Chrysler's sale of most of its assets to a group led by Italy's Fiat, but didn't say how long the deal will remain on hold.

Ginsburg said in an order that the sale is "stayed pending further order," indicating that the delay may only be temporary.

Chrysler LLC has said the sale must close by June 15, or Fiat Group SpA has the option to walk away, leaving the Auburn Hills, Mich., automaker with little option but to liquidate.

A federal appeals court in New York approved the sale Friday but gave opponents until this afternoon to try to get the Supreme Court to intervene. Ginsburg issued her order right before the deadline.

Ginsburg could decide on her own whether to end the delay, or she could ask the full court to decide. It is unclear when she or the court will act.

Chrysler said it had no comment until it receives further information from the court.

Chrysler claims the agreement with Fiat is the best deal it can get for its assets and is critical to the company's plan to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

But a trio of Indiana state pension and construction funds, which hold a small part of Chrysler's debt, have been fighting the sale, claiming that it unfairly favors Chrysler's unsecured stakeholders ahead of secured debtholders like themselves.

As part of Chrysler's restructuring plan, the automaker's secured debtholders will receive $2 billion, or about 29 cents on the dollar, for their combined $6.9 billion in debt. The Indiana funds bought their $42.5 million in debt in July 2008 for 43 cents on the dollar.

The funds also are challenging the constitutionality of the Treasury Department's use of money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to supply Chrysler's bankruptcy protection financing. They say the government did so without congressional authority.

Consumer groups and individuals with product-related lawsuits also are contesting a condition of the Chrysler sale that would release the company from product liability claims related to vehicles it sold before the "New Chrysler" partnered with Fiat is created.

Individuals with claims against "Old Chrysler" would have to seek compensation from the parts of the company not being sold to Fiat. But those assets have limited value and it's doubtful that there will be anything available to pay consumer claims.

The appeals come as Congress intensifies its scrutiny of the Obama administration's government-led restructuring of Chrysler and General Motors Corp. The Senate Banking Committee said it planned to call Ron Bloom, a senior adviser to the auto task force, and Edward Montgomery, who serves as the Obama administration's director of recovery for auto communities and workers, to a hearing Wednesday.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., the committee's chairman, planned to review the use of TARP funds to help the auto companies and look at whether taxpayers will receive a return on their investment.
GM and Chrysler executives faced questions last week from Congress over the elimination of hundreds of dealerships as part of the companies' reorganizations.

[space]

Well there goes Fiat

[audivwdave]

Give chicks some power and it goes straight to their heads.

[derp]

wow. thanks government. don't let them solve their own problems, we need the GOVERNMENT TO FIX EVERYTHING AAAH.

[mimalmo]

Well, that's done. Chrysler is now owned by the Italians. Hopefully they can turn it around quickly.

[audivwdave]

Do I get a free meal at the olive garden if I but a fiat?

[derp]

yay! lets hope they can un-fuck chrysler. and make some decent cars.


wishful thinking, mebbe.

[audivwdave]

The sebring is the most awesomest car ever.

[mimalmo]

The sebring is the most awesomest car ever.


Wrong. I had a Sebring convertible once as a rental car. Now that was awesome.

[Digital K]

next liberal to complain about outsourcing gets mud on their face.

[toasted]

A big disgrace.

Somebody better put you back into your place.

[audivwdave]

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/ap/dt10208042345.h2.jpg

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/08/05/business/auto.span.jpg

http://images.usatoday.com/money/_photos/2007/04/23/iacocca-cx.jpg

[mimalmo]

fo shizzle.

[derp]

fo rizzle.

[1FastB5]

i think this will turn out to be a good thing for both companies. about 10 years ago fiat was in the same position of chrysler. making shit boxes for years finally caught up to them. fiat had to completely retool and turn things around in order to survive, and they did it.

fiat has the know how to save chrysler which is a good thing. but better yet, fiat reliability these days is light years ahead of what it once was. the panda, grande punto are two great examples, and their build quality is excellent. james may even has a panda, and its been praised for its excellent reliability and versatility.

i could really care less what they do with chrysler because i've never liked them, but i really hope to see some fiat and alfa models running around in the states, i have to say i wouldn't mind owning one :thumbup: