FCA Proposes a Merger with Renault

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 ?

Jeep Cherokee, Compass and Renegade are based of Fiat platforms as are their four cylinder engines.