Live in Interesting times: Hyundai/ Kia want FCA

Seems to me that merger/purchase would be good for both parties. FCA would give the new company entry into the full size truck, Jeep, minivan, full size car and pony car market. And KIA would bring the small cars that Chrysler has always struggled with.

I'm surprised that would make them the largest volume manufacture. It doesn't seem that long ago that KIA/Hyundai was brand new on the automotive scene.

SidecarFlip wrote:

wilber1 wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
One thing to keep in mind is, just because they 'want' to buy Chrysler / FCA son't mean the SEC will approve it. Good example is the Cabelas / Bass Pro buyout. The SEC still hasn't approved that.

According to Wikipedia, FCA is an Italian controlled company incorporated in the Netherlands with its headquarters in London. I wonder how much influence the SEC would have.

Probably quite a bit because the workers are American citizens, but maybe not too. I guess we shall wait and see.

We are slowly but surely moving into an era of protectionism in the United States and that isn't all bad.

If they keep the production base for RAM and Jeep in North America, I guess they will not be too worried

Actually, this last year, I believe Kia was Consumer Reports pick for least problems. We've had a Hyundai Sonata for 5 years now. No issues at all. Couldn't be happier. At least, the wife couldn't be happier. It's like a sardine can for me.

wilber1 wrote:

SidecarFlip wrote:
One thing to keep in mind is, just because they 'want' to buy Chrysler / FCA son't mean the SEC will approve it. Good example is the Cabelas / Bass Pro buyout. The SEC still hasn't approved that.

According to Wikipedia, FCA is an Italian controlled company incorporated in the Netherlands with its headquarters in London. I wonder how much influence the SEC would have.

Probably quite a bit because the workers are American citizens, but maybe not too. I guess we shall wait and see.

We are slowly but surely moving into an era of protectionism in the United States and that isn't all bad.

jerem0621 wrote:
Loved our Kia Sorento before our accident. Bought a FCA Minivan after that accident. Have had a few hiccups but nothing major. I changed the oil in it last night and inspected the suspension while under there. Everything looked tight, no leaks, or cracked boots. Drives great. I hope to keep it to 200k Miles plus.

Worst part is the leather. It's not the best. Reminds me of a bonded leather bible cover. I will probably go with cloth again next time. Leather is over rated.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

My BIL informed me about leather seats in cars and he knows better than I do... Leather seats are only leather on the seating face. Everything else is vinyl plastic. I prefer cloth myself and I usually add a sheepskin (real, not fake) seatcover.

We have a KIA plant here in Mexico just outside of Monterrey in a town called Pesqueria. The Koreans are everywhere. A good thing is that the Mexican education department has provided bilingual (Spanish/Korean) teachers in the local public schools. As a teacher, I have met many students who have participated in spelling bees, flag day, etc., that are now speaking Korean. The food in the town is fantastic.

In other words, it has brought a bit of Asian or Korean culture to our part of the world and opened many minds, provided jobs and has changed the economy of the area. All good for us.

Loved our Kia Sorento before our accident. Bought a FCA Minivan after that accident. Have had a few hiccups but nothing major. I changed the oil in it last night and inspected the suspension while under there. Everything looked tight, no leaks, or cracked boots. Drives great. I hope to keep it to 200k Miles plus.

Worst part is the leather. It's not the best. Reminds me of a bonded leather bible cover. I will probably go with cloth again next time. Leather is over rated.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

Interesting. Kia and Hyundai offer 10 year powertrain warranties. My dad owns a 2013 Elantra hybrid and they offer lifetime warranty on the battery pack. Apparently the Hyundai battery pack has interchangeable "pods" of the battery, so they can replace the bad section without replacing the entire pack.

I have a good friend with a Kia car and he loves it. I think they are very good, affordable vehicles. Ram and Jeep would be in good company with Kia and Hyundai.

IdaD wrote:
Makes more sense than Fiat. I'm not sure what it would mean for the brands other than Ram and Jeep, though. I guess Chrysler still sells a boatload of minivans.

Hyundai makes the Iload outside NA it is a 2.5 Litre Diesel midsize Van. Very popular in Australia.

Lessmore wrote:
Buddy bought a Hyundai Santa Fe, new. He dumped it within 5 years, after the extended warranty expired. Steering problems, transaxle problems, main seal problems, etc...all expensive if no warranty.

But then FCA isn't much better. A family member bought a new Jeep Patriot in 2014. Suspension, leaks, transmission overheating...he couldn't trust it and traded it in on a non FCA in 2017.

Both my family member and friend went Japanese for replacement vehicles after their experience.

Based on their experience I wouldn't buy FCA or Hyundai. I would give GM, Ford, Honda or Nissan a look with the next new vehicle though. But who knows how any new vehicle will pan out. At this point, we buy new, get factory extended warranty, trade in when warranty is just about up...no matter the make. Vehicle repairs are so expensive nowadays.

Yep. And I know a guy that had a 2016 F-150 EcoBoost bought back due to numerous issues. Also, have an uncle with a 2014 Duramax/GMC that has been in the shop a total of 41 days combined with emissions issues, electrical issues, and just going dead for no reason. My point here is they all have a lemon here or there, it's a roll of the dice. Sure, some may have more than others but no one is immune from it.
I personally hope it comes to pass myself. But I'd kill everything except Ram, Jeep, and Minivan manufactured vehicles and let the Kia/Hyundai vehicles take those other spots on the lot. We had a 2011 Kia Sorento that was a fantastic vehicle. I didn't want to get rid of it either. But we got a Tahoe to pull the pontoon boat in 2014 as I was afraid of doing it long with the Sorento. I still miss that little SUV.