Comments on: Marchionne to become Chrysler CEO

By: Barry Obama

Barry Obama — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:08:22 +0000

Marchionne headed the Fiat 500 plan with one of the sons. Fiat 500 is excellent quality wise.
I should know a I chose it over mazda3, Polo and Corolla.
You cant get a car for $26aus with Bluetooth, Hill Assist and 6 speed man from the japs and germans.

By: Pazzo Canguri

Pazzo Canguri — Fri, 08 May 2009 00:12:48 +0000

Borat and A4, when was the last time you drove and owned a new Fiat??? Just curious…??

And American Cars Crap……what CRAP do you write or read about…..are you trying to start italian american hate war……he does NOT HATE AMERICANS AT All you putz…what a load of crap that is….you should watch the news every now and then…..the amount of times he has come to the usa and not for business you would be surprised…..boy o boy….
god all mighty…..

By: F50

F50 — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:08:04 +0000

The Magnum stopped production.

He better be a good CEO, hopefully designers like Gillies become part of the new Chrysler aswell, all what I care about for now is that they keep the Viper, Wrangler and Ram.

By: American_Cars_Crap

American_Cars_Crap — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:00:47 +0000

I read in one magazine that this guy is not too fond of America, as most Europeans are not very fond of us. So don’t be surprised if he completely moves Chrysler headquarters to Europe, but more logically he may move headquarters to Canada. It would be easier and less complicated for him since he’s also a Canadian citizen. But that wouldn’t be so bad, all of Chryslers best products are already being built in Canada, the minivan, charger, challenger, 300c, magnum (do they still make that giant station wagon??)

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 07 May 2009 17:30:27 +0000

jdasch1, laws in Italy are different then in US, but EU structure forbids favoring ones product over other. Their Union laws mimic our own constitution on trade between member states. Healthcare is partially financed by state, but there is plenty of private medical care, if you have means. Unions in Italy are extremely strong, but with competition from other European countries, auto unions seem to get some reasoning in their actions. He dealt with same problems, our “captains of industry” wrecked the ship on. Have to agree a little with union talking heads: labor is only 10% of car cost. Therefore it can not be responsible for more then 10% of the problem. When you solving problem, you want to solve 90% first and worry about remaining later.

By: jdasch1

jdasch1 — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:33:59 +0000

So did he have to fund a VEBA like Chrysler? Did the laws in Italy favor his business more than our laws here? The Unions in Italy vs UAW here. Who pays for healthcare in Italy? What kind of incentives from the government in Italy favor Italian carmakers over foreign brands? I believe he is going to need some help. At least he wants the job. Uphill battles are always the most exciting ones…anyone can run a company that has no huge hurdles to jump over, this guy seems to be taking on massive hills with the purchases of GM brands and Chrysler…..I applaud his efforts. Someone needs to save these companies.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:23:10 +0000

His problems are much broader then place to drop head for the night. I am not sure he will see home, wherever it shall be.

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:15:39 +0000

Jake, it doesn’t matter where he calls home. It’s a small world and I have a sneaking suspicion that Chrysler just may still have a few corporate jets hidden in the weeds somewhere.

By: zfenderguy

zfenderguy — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:03:38 +0000

Well, dude did what he did with the European equivalent of Chrysler. I’m imagining the possibilities of a leaner Chrysler with the kind of design department is has shown it has in recent years (300, Challenger). Just no more Sebring and Caliber, uh, caliber cars, and they may see the other side yet again.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Thu, 07 May 2009 15:01:01 +0000

Oh, I forgot to add the question – will he be at Chrysler full time then? If he thinks he’s going to be the CEO he better damn well be, because he won’t have time for anything else but Chrysler.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:59:30 +0000

Does this mean he moves to Auburn Hills or does Chrysler HQ move to Italy?

He may want to move to the Detroit area, becasue for the price of a 4 bedroom house in Italy, he can buy approx. a 20 bedroom estate on 50 acres of land.

By: terk184

terk184 — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:29:24 +0000

Marchionne is doing what any smart investor with cash or leverage is doing now. Buying assets at the lowest prices seen in the last 2 generations and positioning himself to cash in on the inevitable recovery.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 07 May 2009 14:05:20 +0000

He knows how to make company to sell technology and vehicles. he also turned around a brand that was foot and a half in its grave short few years ago. And that is where domestics are today. As far as quality FIATs are no better or worse then VW out of Mexico.

By: A4

A4 — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:36:17 +0000

Apparently he doesnt know what he is doing as far as quality goes, so lets hope that isnt carried over.

By: Borat

Borat — Thu, 07 May 2009 13:32:23 +0000

Good plan, if Chrysler will emerge from bankruptcy and will merge with FIAT. Marchionne knows what he is doing, we don’t have leaders of that caliber at the present time.