I begin my tour Editor's note with the exhibitOscar on October 1The retirement home an economic barometerA television campaign is also on the menuMichel Camdessus told a conversation with MrsThe future of Christian Streiff is in any case issueOur customers don't pay not only for a vehicleIt has also unscrewed against the yen losing 1It's the least of things judge Bernard Devy FOIt is for example whole challenge of post 2For the public group the challenge is hugeWhy stop in so good way The agreement with Chrysler ink barely dry, Fiat in the assault on the German manufacturer Opel. Italian indicated last night that he was studying "the viability of a merger of the activities of Fiat (including the interest in Chrysler) and General Motors Europe in a new society." His boss, Sergio Marchionne, is today visit to Berlin to defend his recovery plan of the subsidiary of General Motors from several politicians. It was first meeting with the Minister of economy, the conservative Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, then with the social democratic candidate for the Chancellery, current Vice-Chancellor, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, as well as with the pattern of the social democratic party, Franz Müntefering.
But the party won't be easy. His interlocutors in the pre-election period, have already indicated that they articulate both strict conditions to any entry of Fiat in the capital of Opel. Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said yesterday in the "Bild am Sonntag" that it would require the guarantee in the long run, the viability of the preserved European production sites. It still excludes a rise in the capital of the part of the State, but is considering a public guarantee limited in time. Frank-Walter Steinmeier wants, him, the maintenance of all German sites and the preservation of as many jobs as possible. Contrary to the Minister for the economy, it does not exclude a participation of the State, lack of a satisfactory agreement with potential purchasers.
Convince unions
Second barrier for Sergio Marchionne: convince unions, who have so far been very hostile to the Italian constructor. As Fiat is present on the same markets and the same types of that Opel cars, they fear a streamlining the axe and deletions of massive post. Opel employs directly over 25,000 people in Germany and indirectly more than twice. Fiat would have already made a formal offer for Opel, of an amount less than EUR 1 billion, that General Motors be however too modest, according to "WirtschaftsWoche".
In need no doubt more to discourage the boss of Fiat, who sees through Opel the perfect opportunity to reach the famous bar of the 6 million vehicles per year, which it considers to be the new critical size. A takeover of Opel by Fiat would be "an extraordinary opportunity", said Luca Cordero de Montezemolo, President-Executive of the Italian group in an interview published today by the "Corriere della Sera".
A few months, Sergio Marchionne had sensation in calling for a complete overhaul of the automotive sector. According to him, manufacturers will be able to produce in the future between 5 and 6 million vehicles per year. Grow or die. Therein lies the key to the hyperactivity of the transalpine constructor.
Hyperactivity applauded in both hands across the Alps. Emma Marcegaglia, President of the Italian employers 'Fiat showed its ability to move before the other major international car manufacturers." The Italy welcomes entry into the capital of the American Chrysler. Particularly because Fiat ne him will not bring in cash. The Turin Group will provide to new technology partner and a commercial network, while taking advantage of his own in the US for marketing of Alfa Romeo and Fiat 500. An economic way to form alliances for a still heavily indebted company.
The only flat emanates from the transalpine unions: in the ambient euphoria, they recall that in Italy, some production sites are close to closure.
