OPEL Vauxhall and SAAB = Chrysler?

[bathurst77]

Seems strange that FIAT, that long struggling manufacturer of quirky little square Italian cars, which nealy went broke it self so many times is now going to own Chrysler. It already owns Alfa and Ferrari.

Latest word is that it is looking to buy GM Euros 3 brands, and is so cashed up it can do it without borrowing. (Gunna make him an offer he cant refuse)

FIAT group will suddenly be one of the worlds most major auto manufacturers.

IF this is accepted it would mean that Opel Vauxhall and Saab are no longer part of the GM (and Holden) group but part of the Chrysler group.

This would have huge impact on model line ups world wide. If vextras etc were no longer available to Holden and GM ASia and USA, but were badged Chryslers.
Also what about Australian parts etc used in Opels and Vauxhalls.

Also thinking about the dealers in UK and europe selling some Opel Vauxhalls and some US and asian GM products. How will they be affected?

This could be huge

Maybe the next opel Rekord or senator could be sold here .. call it Valiant Commodore (just kiddin)

[XPfalcon170]

fiat - Insult to Automotive Transport

Anyways, i would say that fiat would just become the parent to these other companys. A vauxhall/opel vectra will still be a vauxhall/opel, but just owned by fiat instead of GM. They would probably just take over the dealerships, and other capital, and to the consumer, there wouldnt be much of a noticable change, more so just behind the scenes changes. Well, thats my theory

[MethodX]

Fiat has just a long and proud a history as Ford.
Grand prix winner.

[GasoLane]

Not forgetting.........

Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Maserati, Ferrari, Case New Holland Case IH, New Holland and Steyr brands, and Iveco.

Some big names in there.

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Not forgetting.........

Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Abarth, Maserati, Ferrari, Case New Holland Case IH, New Holland and Steyr brands, and Iveco.

Some big names in there.

Yes, Fiat took over Ford tractors in the 90s (New Holland). Henry Ford would be turning in his grave. Ford trucks at the same time (Iveco).

"Quirky" they are not.

[mik]

does`nt Fiat also have some ties to Mack trucks?

[prydey]

Originally Posted by mik

does`nt Fiat also have some ties to Mack trucks?

mack = renault.

Originally Posted by JG66ME

Ford trucks at the same time (Iveco).

iveco = international. ford were bought by daimler chrysler and rebadged as sterlings. gone now i think.

[JG66ME]

Originally Posted by prydey

mack = renault.



iveco = international. ford were bought by daimler chrysler and rebadged as sterlings. gone now i think.

(The following from memory, may be a bit muddled)

You are partially correct. US trucks became Sterling as you said.

Iveco trucks (Fiat) merged with Ford Europe trucks in the 90s. Badged as Ford Iveco then Fiat bought the remaining share and it became Iveco. They used the Ford Iveco badge in the UK for about five years afterwards. They also bought into other companys, including International.



Tractors is complicated. In the 80s Ford dominated world tractor production. The largest plant was at Basildon, England. Tractors also made in Belgium and the US. Ford tractor division fully aquired New Holland (Combines, bailers etc) in the late 80s. Then Fiat Agri bought into Ford and they formed New Holland. Ford tractors still painted blue where now called Ford New Holland. Fiat tractors where still terracotta and called New Holland. Fiat then bought out the remaining share and the Ford badge was retained for about 5 years. Then became New Holland.

New Holland then bought out Case IH to form CNH. The Case and New Holland lines are still kept apart for the moment. They also have International tractors.

Steve

Edit, Just looked it up and CNH are bigger then Ben Hurr. Finger in a lot of old company's including Allis Chalmers etc.

[vztrt]

According to the link Fiat are not interested in SAAB.

http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-n...0506-auwk.html

A spokesman for GM's unit Saab said however that Fiat was not among 10 parties from North America, Europe and Asia seeking to acquire the Swedish firm.

Also:

Fiat is also not the only show in town.

The Financial Times reported that as many as six others including sovereign wealth funds from Abu Dhabi and Singapore and three private equity groups were also eyeing GM Europe.

Another possible suitor is Canadian car parts giant Magna, teaming up with Russian automaker GAZ, controlled by billionaire Oleg Deripaska, and Russia's biggest lender Sberbank.

[R-Design]

At this point I don't think SAAB's interested in SAAB.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by Boss315

At this point I don't think SAAB's interested in SAAB.

ROFL!

[CAMS290]

Fiat= Fix It Again Tony

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by CAMS290

Fiat= Fix It Again Tony

Why are some of you Found on rubish dump drivers so unkind?
You want more western makers around to take on the japanese, not less.

[mik]

[QUOTE=prydey]mack = renault.


i forgot about that one ,,,fiat engine blocks for the v8 macks seems to in my mind for some reason, alziemers is probably kicking in :(

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by prydey

mack = renault.

Close...but no cigar.

Mack = Volvo..... also Renault (Trucks) and UD (Nissan)

[barbarian]

Fiat make good cars nowadays

Linea






Bravo

[GasoLane]

Lets see, with a little imagination on the Fiat/Chrysler marriage.......

A Fiat 500 (Bambino?) with a Chrysler V10?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by MethodX

Why are some of you Found on rubish dump drivers so unkind?
You want more western makers around to take on the japanese, not less.

And your always very defensive.

Anyway, people who bag FIAT should think of the people that bag Ford and how we shake our heads at them.

Its like saying a modern Jag's electrics are bung..come on its 2009!

[last fairlane]

V8 Mack blocks are made by Scania which is part of Saab
where does that leave us

[belvo]

for some reason i realy seam to like fiat maby because of the litle 500 or that i like alfas. hopfuly the bring a bit of the passion in tho these companys

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by last fairlane

V8 Mack blocks are made by Scania which is part of Saab
where does that leave us

Another close one..

VW would be considered the 'owner' of Scania as they are the major shareholder.

Confusin' innit?

[BFZ Wagon]

To all the people who are laughing at Fiat.. They're closer to Ford than you think.! The current 'New' Ford KA in the UK is basically a Fiat 500 with a Fiesta-ish outside skin. So people in the UK who own the new KA are basically driving around in a Fiat with a Ford badge :P
But don't worry, the car is built by Ford.

Just thought I'd share that info!.

[Swordsman88]

Originally Posted by BFZ Wagon

To all the people who are laughing at Fiat.. They're closer to Ford than you think.! The current 'New' Ford KA in the UK is basically a Fiat 500 with a Fiesta-ish outside skin. So people in the UK who own the new KA are basically driving around in a Fiat with a Ford badge :P
But don't worry, the car is built by Ford.

Just thought I'd share that info!.

this is correct. BUT...ford did a fair bit of retuning of the suspension to improve ride handling also. Fifth Gear tested the new Ka and bagged it out for being too similar to the fiesta in style and not 'funky' enough. Wierd mob those poms...ford takes a car they all love (the 500) improves it many areas, lowers the price and hey presto....they don't like it. Wierd.

[RATT]

I'm in Rome now and see plenty of Lancia's around and can understand why Fiat is now doing so much better than when it nearly went broke.
The Lancia Delta is quite striking.

[MethodX]

Originally Posted by RATT

I'm in Rome now and see plenty of Lancia's around and can understand why Fiat is now doing so much better than when it nearly went broke.
The Lancia Delta is quite striking.

ya that is nice.
The rest of the range is a bit dowdy.
They need to make lancia what it was again, sporty aspirational cars.

A modern version of the Stratos maybe?