C-Span sucks community > Chrysler/Fiat deal finalized

gtessex

Jun 10 2009, 05:53 PM

Now that the Chrysler/Fiat deal has been approved:

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Fiat closes deal to take bulk of Chrysler's assets

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The new company will focus on smaller vehicles, areas in which Chrysler was weak.

"Work is already under way on developing new environmentally friendly, fuel-efficient, high-quality vehicles that we intend to become Chrysler's hallmark going forward," the new company said in a statement.

The Italian automaker won't put any money into the deal but will give Chrysler billions worth of small car and engine technology.

"We intend to build on Chrysler's culture of innovation and Fiat's complementary technology and expertise to expand Chrysler's product portfolio both in North America and overseas," Marchionne said in a statement.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Fiat-closes-...set=&ccode=

This is what you will be getting from Fiat/Chrysler first.

http://www.fiat500.com/eng/

Today's poll question is this!

gtessex

Jun 10 2009, 06:47 PM

FYI,

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Questions About New Chrysler? Here Are Some Answers

The following one is.....really scary!

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Q. Who owns Chrysler?

A. Ownership is primarily divided between the health care trust for retirees of the United Automobile Workers union, which has 55 percent; Fiat, which has 20 percent, and the American and Canadian governments, which hold 8 percent and 2 percent, respectively. Eventually, Fiat’s holding will grow incrementally to 35 percent. But it cannot take majority control of Chrysler until it repays money borrowed from the federal government.

This one might rank right up there with planting a Cactus at the North Pole and expecting it to survive.

BrooklynBill

Jun 10 2009, 07:04 PM

Wow.

Chrysler is now run by a bunch of degenerate Italians - the Agnelli family.

beasty

Jun 10 2009, 07:19 PM

QUOTE (BrooklynBill @ Jun 10 2009, 12:04 PM)

Wow.

Chrysler is now run by a bunch of degenerate Italians - the Agnelli family.

Do they have their own healthcare? If so welcome aboard. I think the main reason the gov is bailing out the car companies is to keep the UAW benefit plans afloat. If the management can pay it's own way it's better than the alternatives.

gtessex

Jun 11 2009, 01:36 PM

{{{{{shaking head}}}}}}

I am still at a lost to understand how this Chrysler/Fiat deal is going to turn out to be a success!
IMHO, we have too many 'wishful thinking' people out there.

Here is a major problem Chrysler/Fiat is going to be facing.

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Will Americans embrace Chrysler's Fiat cars?

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But to succeed, Fiat will have to adjust those cars to meet American tastes. European passenger cars tend to be engineered smaller to fit in tight European parking spaces and city streets. Americans like roomy rides. Fiat’s quality is barely average in Europe. They will have to step that up to compete with the likes of Toyota, Honda, Ford and, yes, GM. And when they come here in about two years, there may be even more competition from India, China, another European player or whoever Roger Penske can contract to make new Saturn cars. Fiat also has to improve Chrysler’s home-grown models, none of which get a friendly nod from Consumer Reports despite the supposed overhaul that outgoing CEO Robert Nardelli gave them. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is a fix-it man. But he has a lot of fixing to do. His Chrysler play has hope, but it’s far from over, folks.

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat..._americans.html

A vehicle smaller than a Mini-Cooper, and all that competition. Just how in the world is that vehicle going to turn the 'New Chrysler' around?

BrooklynBill

Jun 11 2009, 06:38 PM

QUOTE (beasty @ Jun 10 2009, 08:19 PM)

Do they have their own healthcare? If so welcome aboard. I think the main reason the gov is bailing out the car companies is to keep the UAW benefit plans afloat. If the management can pay it's own way it's better than the alternatives.

The Agnelli family will make the UAW look like angels, I kid you not. They represent the Italian aristocracy - a real bunch of degenerate scum. In terms of the degenerate scum scale in Italian society, only the House of Savoy is worse.

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 11 2009, 07:42 PM

QUOTE (gtessex @ Jun 11 2009, 06:36 AM)

A vehicle smaller than a Mini-Cooper, and all that competition. Just how in the world is that vehicle going to turn the 'New Chrysler' around?

Obama has decided what kind of car is the future, and the government car companies better make that car if they want any cash.

Davis 2.0

Jun 11 2009, 07:46 PM

I suppose y'all will start claiming he's mandating Democratic campaign bumper stickers too.

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 11 2009, 07:53 PM

If he does I might. So far that's one thing he hasn't bothered to try and mandate.

gtessex

Jun 12 2009, 11:41 AM

QUOTE (Arturo_Vandelay @ Jun 11 2009, 03:42 PM)

Obama has decided what kind of car is the future, and the government car companies better make that car if they want any cash.

We'll see how that one works out.

The consumer still drives the market. If a large majority of buyers reject the Obamamobile, then the lots will be filled with all
these little 'puddle jumpers', nobody wants.... then what happens? That answer should be obvious.

arebuntz

Jun 12 2009, 12:10 PM

QUOTE (gtessex @ Jun 12 2009, 07:41 AM)

We'll see how that one works out.

The consumer still drives the market. If a large majority of buyers reject the Obamamobile, then the lots will be filled with all
these little 'puddle jumpers', nobody wants.... then what happens? That answer should be obvious.

Gubment mandate, you will have to own one before you can own any other vehicle... Then you will have to put a minimum number of miles on it every year before you can put miles on your other vehicles...

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 12 2009, 04:32 PM

QUOTE (gtessex @ Jun 12 2009, 04:41 AM)

We'll see how that one works out.

The consumer still drives the market. If a large majority of buyers reject the Obamamobile, then the lots will be filled with all
these little 'puddle jumpers', nobody wants.... then what happens? That answer should be obvious.

I have one of those puddle jumpers, and I wanted it. When gas goes up more people will want something that gets decent gas mileage for the size they need. But they won't want it dictated by government down to what the janitor at the GM plant makes.

gtessex

Jun 12 2009, 05:16 PM

QUOTE (Arturo_Vandelay @ Jun 12 2009, 12:32 PM)

I have one of those puddle jumpers, and I wanted it. When gas goes up more people will want something that gets decent gas mileage for the size they need. But they won't want it dictated by government down to what the janitor at the GM plant makes.

What kind of a 'puddle jumper' do you have.....and where do you find a 'water puddle' in Arizona?

My definition of a 'puddle jumper'....is any vehicle classified as sub-compact or smaller. The new car that will save Chrysler,

the Fiat 500 is classified at least in my book as a mini-puddle jumper.

Many of these puddle jumpers, I can't even sit in due to lack of legroom, not to mention my right leg is permanently screwed
up due to DVT a few years back. If Obama is successful in driving up gas prices so high to force a majority of Americans
into smaller vehicles...I won't go any smaller than the Mercury Milan that we currently own. The 2010 version is capable of hitting
mid 30's on a trip.

I tend to think many people (including myself) agree on not wanting a vehicle dictated to them by the Gubmint, which is why
I tend to believe GM & Chrysler will have an uphill battle to survive.

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 12 2009, 06:32 PM

QUOTE (gtessex @ Jun 12 2009, 10:16 AM)

What kind of a 'puddle jumper' do you have.....and where do you find a 'water puddle' in Arizona?

My definition of a 'puddle jumper'....is any vehicle classified as sub-compact or smaller. The new car that will save Chrysler,

the Fiat 500 is classified at least in my book as a mini-puddle jumper.

Many of these puddle jumpers, I can't even sit in due to lack of legroom, not to mention my right leg is permanently screwed
up due to DVT a few years back. If Obama is successful in driving up gas prices so high to force a majority of Americans
into smaller vehicles...

I tend to think many people (including myself) agree on not wanting a vehicle dictated to them by the Gubmint, which is why
I tend to believe GM & Chrysler will have an uphill battle to survive.

I have a Hyundai Accent hatchback. Needed a hatchback for work and good mileage for the long drive crosstown. It's a bit short on legroom, but not too bad for in town driving. I don't drive cross country so it's fine for me. Has a great warranty, 100k for the power train.

I'd like to see everything downsized and lightened just a bit. Size isn't what kills people for the most part, it's the differential. Not everyone needs the biggest SUV for one person to drive around town in. Gas will go up, so folks can expect to pay more for gas if they go with the gashog. There has to be some happy medium.

QUOTE

I won't go any smaller than the Mercury Milan that we currently own. The 2010 version is capable of hitting
mid 30's on a trip.

That's reasonable. The old Oldsmobile got barely 12-14. I'm not a zealot, but we do need to avoid wasting gas just for the halibut.

Davis 2.0

Jun 12 2009, 06:53 PM

30 is good.

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 12 2009, 06:57 PM

But not every family car will get that in town. I like good mileage, but I drive alone mostly and like a small car that handles well. That little Accent is fun to drive. Peppy and agile enough.

Human Ills

Jun 12 2009, 07:08 PM

QUOTE (gtessex @ Jun 11 2009, 06:36 AM)

{{{{{shaking head}}}}}}

I am still at a lost to understand how this Chrysler/Fiat deal is going to turn out to be a success!
IMHO, we have too many 'wishful thinking' people out there.

Here is a major problem Chrysler/Fiat is going to be facing.

[size=3][/size]

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat..._americans.html

A vehicle smaller than a Mini-Cooper, and all that competition. Just how in the world is that vehicle going to turn the 'New Chrysler' around?

Depends on if were forced to take our huge vehicles off the road. Maybe through tiered licensing.

Human Ills

Jun 12 2009, 07:08 PM

QUOTE (Davis 2.0 @ Jun 12 2009, 11:53 AM)

30 is good.

30 is good if you are living in 1981.

Human Ills

Jun 12 2009, 07:11 PM

QUOTE (gtessex @ Jun 12 2009, 10:16 AM)

What kind of a 'puddle jumper' do you have.....and where do you find a 'water puddle' in Arizona?

My definition of a 'puddle jumper'....is any vehicle classified as sub-compact or smaller. The new car that will save Chrysler,

the Fiat 500 is classified at least in my book as a mini-puddle jumper.

Many of these puddle jumpers, I can't even sit in due to lack of legroom, not to mention my right leg is permanently screwed
up due to DVT a few years back. If Obama is successful in driving up gas prices so high to force a majority of Americans
into smaller vehicles...I won't go any smaller than the Mercury Milan that we currently own. The 2010 version is capable of hitting
mid 30's on a trip.

I tend to think many people (including myself) agree on not wanting a vehicle dictated to them by the Gubmint, which is why
I tend to believe GM & Chrysler will have an uphill battle to survive.

I used to think like this, until I looked around at all the jackasses flying down the freeway at 80mph in their tahoes and yukons and excursions, single occupant no less. The reprieve that coincided with the high gas prices last year was oh so nice.

arebuntz

Jun 12 2009, 07:29 PM

QUOTE (Human Ills @ Jun 12 2009, 03:08 PM)

30 is good if you are living in 1981.

You are free to start your own car company and sell 100 MPG cars...

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 12 2009, 07:39 PM

QUOTE (arebuntz @ Jun 12 2009, 12:29 PM)

You are free to start your own car company and sell 100 MPG cars...

Like Obama would allow that.

SpaceCowboy

Jun 12 2009, 09:00 PM

QUOTE (Arturo_Vandelay @ Jun 12 2009, 01:57 PM)

But not every family car will get that in town. I like good mileage, but I drive alone mostly and like a small car that handles well. That little Accent is fun to drive. Peppy and agile enough.

Yep, handling counts for a lot, and gas mileage too.

Arturo_Vandelay

Jun 12 2009, 09:23 PM

I'll call it fun. I love a stick shift.

SpaceCowboy

Jun 12 2009, 09:24 PM

QUOTE (Arturo_Vandelay @ Jun 12 2009, 04:23 PM)

I'll call it fun. I love a stick shift.

Damn straight.