[AT] Ford V-10/Now Dodge

[Doug Tallman]

The federal aid part is scary. I have a buddy who is a tech in a 
Chrysler dealership. He claims that Mercedes was in trouble and Chrysler 
was doing good when Mercedes acquired them and Mercedes skimmed the 
money from Chrysler and then spun them off into their present state. I 
just hope Fiat isn't looking for some of our taxpayer bailout money but 
maybe we better not get started down that thread or it may become too 
political!! Doug T





Stephen Offiler wrote:
> This ought to be interesting, Charlie...
>
> First of all, the deal apparently isn't complete yet.  According to an
> article in WSJ:  "The non-binding deal would involve no cash payment
> by Fiat, and the proposed April closing is contingent on Chrysler
> meeting U.S. government conditions for existing and hoped-for federal
> aid."
>
> What effect will it have on Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep?  Well, this is
> being painted as a barter deal.  Chrysler gets access to Fiat's small
> cars, and Fiat gets access to Chrysler's US distribution network.  The
> hoped-for effect is that there will still BE a Dodge, Chrysler, and
> Jeep.  With rose-colored glasses firmly in place, expect to see new
> (and pretty good) small cars at your local ChryCo dealership.  Fiat
> has come a long way since they departed US shores in disgrace many
> years ago.  I don't personally see how this will impact what we know
> as Dodge trucks or Jeeps, again, other than keeping them around.
>
> Lots of problems.  Euro emissions and crash standards are about as
> stringent as ours in round numbers but they are DIFFERENT.  There's a
> bunch of engineering that needs to happen to get Fiat-based cars onto
> US shores.  Timing... couple years perhaps.  What's going to keep
> Chrysler afloat in the meantime?
>
> Steve O.
>
>