Now we're down to 2 US automakers

[Onkel Neal]

Fiat to buy full control of Chrysler

Hmmm.... not sure what to say expect, this isn't like the 70s.

[Betonov]

FIAT

Sorry, can't help it


Just might work though. FIAT was never shy of using new technologies.
It's actually putting cars together that's their weakspot
Maybe the Punto would have been a more reliable car if it was made by Yenks

[Jimbuna]

Neal, I'm not aware the UK has any Brit car manufacturers these days.

[Feuer Frei!]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Neal, I'm not aware the UK has any Brit car manufacturers these days.

Morgan?

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Tribesman

Morgan?

Right...I obviously should have been more detailed and typed 'mass production'

[Jimbuna]

Looks like it was just a formality then:

Shares in the Italian car giant fiat surged over 15% on Thursday following the announcement of its plan to buy the remaining 41% of Chrysler it does not own.

Fiat has owned a majority stake in the US company since 2009.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25571200

[Feuer Frei!]

Top 3 Car manufacturers by sales in US, 2012:

GM
Ford
Chrysler

EDIT:

Chrysler slipped, or they were forecast to slip in December 2013, below Toyota:








FIAT gets a foothold in the North American market.
They want to, and need to cut their losses in Europe.
This may be a good thing for them.

The Italian Job on the smallest of the Detroit 3

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

Right...I obviously should have been more detailed and typed 'mass production'

[Jimbuna]

I must be missing something here Jamie...as far as I'm aware all production line vehicles are now owned by foreign parent companies

[MH]

Originally Posted by Betonov

FIAT

Sorry, can't help it


Just might work though. FIAT was never shy of using new technologies.
It's actually putting cars together that's their weakspot
Maybe the Punto would have been a more reliable car if it was made by Yenks

Its a perfect match then.
American cars are very mediocre in terms of engineering and reliability.
The reason of downfall of american car companies i think.

[Oberon]

Originally Posted by Jimbuna

I must be missing something here Jamie...as far as I'm aware all production line vehicles are now owned by foreign parent companies

Indeed, but at least they're still building them here, which at the end of the day is what really matters in terms of employment.

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by MH

Its a perfect match then.
American cars are very mediocre in terms of engineering and reliability.
The reason of downfall of american car companies i think.

The downfall of US car manufacturers were greedy managers and CEO's.

More money was spent in bonuses, lobbying and bribes than actual design and investments.
And more and more jobs were outsourced.
You can hear all you can about Americans but I'll fight someone when it comes to defend the hardworking able American. You can build quality things, problem is you manufacture less and less.
FIAT on the other hand, like the rest of European countries, can't survive only by it's domestic market. Cars are mediocre, but they're cheap, low maintainance and very high mileage. Perfect for a lower income European that just needs some wheels.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Indeed, but at least they're still building them here, which at the end of the day is what really matters in terms of employment.

True that and none more so than Nissan in the north east.

[MH]

Originally Posted by Betonov

The downfall of US car manufacturers were greedy managers and CEO's.

More money was spent in bonuses, lobbying and bribes than actual design and investments.
And more and more jobs were outsourced.
You can hear all you can about Americans but I'll fight someone when it comes to defend the hardworking able American. You can build quality things, problem is you manufacture less and less.

I did not say that americans can't built quality things - quite opposite , but when it comes to cars bottom line is that something went wrong.