So Much Depends Upon a Red Fiat
EmailABC’s Tom Johnson from New York: The headlines today in Italy: "FIAT lands in America. Obama says: it will save Chrysler. Marchionne says: it’s an historic moment. "Obama launches the FIAT- CHYSLER deal. Together we will build clean cars. Marchionne says: an historic moment." "Fiat- Chrysler, historic deal. Interview with Marchionne: "the world is watching us, now we cannot make a mistake" While Chrysler is headed into bankruptcy the Italian press is focused on the future. A future in which Chrysler and Italian auto maker Fiat will work together. The success of one of America’s big three car makers will soon be tethered to Fiat. Yes, that Fiat. Fiat was the automaker towed out of the US market after floundering in the 1980′s. "Fix it Again Tony" you’ll remember was the phrase when these cars broke down way back when. But times have changed. The Italian car maker is now credited with their much desired sleek, little, fuel efficient cars. They will sell their cars in Chrysler’s showrooms and lend much needed small car technology to the American car maker. So what’s coming this way? For starters, the Fiat "500" and Alfa Romeo with its mini Mito will soon be pulling up to a showroom near you. Small and cool (hopefully). Chrysler’s marriage with Germany’s Daimler didn’t work out so well. They parted ways in 2007. Hopefully its marriage to an Italian will work out better.
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Wake up America! Do you understand that FIAT is going to save Chrysler? An ITALIAN company is telling us how to run a business!? An ITALIAN company criticized the US because of the union strength and costs!?! If Americans knew anything about Italian business, history, and labor relations they would also be laughing and crying about this story…..don’t get me wrong. I love Italy- but they aren’t exactly known for their efficiency and business acumen.
Posted by: Al | May 1, 2009, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm
So you think we should just let them go under rather than jump at this opportunity to save them?
I do not see anyone else stepping up yet
Posted by: Roger | May 1, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
Other solutions have been presented but didn’t fly. This is Chrysler’s best opportunity and, I say ‘go for it’. It’s pertinent for US to declare our independence from foreign oil, period. I owned a FIAT Spider 850 back in the 70s, a sports car which got 42 mpg! We drove all the way across Spain on one tank! They were ahead the game then and I’ve love to have one again. Bottom-line is how much $$$ do I have left at the end of each month? And, what kind of carbon print am I leaving behind?
Posted by: sprowlindak | May 1, 2009, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm
It is a good idea that It was about time that american Chrysler and Fiat merge rather than let them sink. Why not? Anyway its about time that American car companies get better technology with on their four cylinder cars. I foe one had had only four car in my life time three have been Hondas and the fourth was a Ford which for being a V6 got horrible gas mileage. It makes me wonder if these companies had the best interest for the american people or the gas companies. Until they get a fuel efficient four cylinder car as whell as a japannesse one I would never consider buying one. For example my third car is a 1982 Honda Accord which still rund and has almost 236 thousand miles, oh and by the way it past the California smog check.
Posted by: Alex Castellanos | May 1, 2009, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
I hope it works, don’t get me wrong. It is just ironic that it has come to this point! People should keep in mind though that we’ve had countless of auto companies fail in the past and it is crazy to expect companies to exist forever.
Posted by: Al | May 1, 2009, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
Have you seen these Fiat cars? Do you think they’ll sell in the U.S.? They are small and toy-like in appearance – not as sleek as their German, Japanese, and Korean (or even American) competitors.
Posted by: Sam | May 2, 2009, 12:55 am 12:55 am