FCA Proposes a Merger with Renault

FishOnOne wrote:

Lessmore wrote:
I do remember when Chrysler and Mercedes 'merged'. Originally I thought it was supposed to be a merger of equals, but as it developed that didn't seem to be the case. Chrysler benefited with Mercedes attention to the Chrysler 300 RWD platform...which some say might be one of the best platforms that Chrysler has had. Other benefits from the merger, I don't know.

Now that Fiat and Chrysler have joined forces, I wonder what Fiat has brought to the North American operations of Chrysler and what has Chrysler brought to Fiat ?

I can think of the commercial van, based on a Fiat that has replaced the Mercedes Sprinter and in use in NA. But what else?

I'm sure the word from FCA will be or has been...that all sorts of R+D that both companies working together in a cooperative venture(s)...and which will result in developing new technology that will be mutually beneficial to both companies and the consumer. I apologize for sounding too PR.

Are Fiat and Chrysler a good fit ?

Could you imagine Honda joining FCA ?

I could see Kia/Hyundai joining FCA.

But sometimes you never know. As the old saying goes ...politics makes for strange bedfellows and I guess the same can be said of automotive companies...when tough times are forecast for the future.

The two companies I'm unsure of where their future lies, is that of Ford and General Motors.

They are still independent companies, they are large companies with great histories. They have made the decision to cancel their sedans, focus on SUV/trucks and plan to have a dominant EV presence in oncoming years.

Are they going to continue to go it alone, will they partner up with other companies, will they partner up with each other ?

They already have worked on a couple of transmissions...FWD automatic, RWD automatic. Aside from developing a couple of transmissions together...was this transmission cooperative venture also about seeing how they 'fit' together...with future considerations a factor ?

Daimler was also responsible for the 4th gen Ram

Fiat benefitted from some funds that the Chrysler group had. Fiat also appears to be using it profits from it profitable divisions (Ram and Jeep)to keep it's non profitable divisions in business. The exceptions are Chrysler and Dodge divisions in which there days are numbered.

Ford.... I think getting rid of it's car line is a short term gain, but I don't know how they'll meet CAFE requirements without them unless they plan on being successful with their future EV products. At least they were smart to plan on introducing new products to keep those factories alive. Eventually they'll need pay the piper and get back into the car line again when fuel prices hit a particular price point or if the market doesn't except EV.

GM.... Well I'm really surprised that Mary Barra is still behind the helm. And if I were in charge the first thing I would want to know is who is the designer/s of the current Camaro, Silverado 1500 and HD, and Blazer and who approved them. I think you know where I'm going with this one.

As for mergers they are very rarely equal. One will always dominate.

I agree with everything you have said. In particular regard to GM, I've been a long time GM guy, pretty well since the late '60's with a few exceptions. I recall the 1950's and 1960's when GM was renowned and world class when it came to design, both style and mechanicals. They were bold, innovative and seemingly had that 'magic' touch when it came to vehicles. Looking at the company and judging them on a number of criteria, I believe they set world class standards in a number of areas.

But that was many years ago and in my view they have slipped. They still have some great mechanicals (LS engine design comes to mind) but is other aspects they don't seem to be at the forefront, as they were back then. I could be looking at this the wrong way, it maybe a case of GM not slipping so much, but simply the other manufacturers throughout the world raising their game.

I sometimes do wonder if GM is designing vehicles more for the larger Chinese market...then for the smaller NA market. Business is business. The push towards EV... seems to be accelerating (zero emissions by certain dates) is coming up faster in other parts of the world and GM and Ford don't want to be left.