More GM/Alfa....

["Storhok, Eric (E.M.)" <estorhok@domain.elided>]

So I may have to eat my pvs words, from Automotive News today:


General Motors doesn't plan to buy Alfa Romeo and is confident its strategic alliance with troubled Fiat Auto will continue to run smoothly. Fiat last month created separate operating units for Alfa Romeo and Fiat/Lancia, leading to speculation that Fiat might sell Alfa Romeo to GM to raise cash.

"Alfa is a great brand, but it is not on the table," said GM Europe President Michael Burns. "It is their brand."

Fiat last month ousted Fiat Auto Managing Director Roberto Testore. He was replaced by Giancarlo Boschetti, head of Iveco, Fiat's commercial vehicles unit.

Burns said GM was informed in advance about the Dec. 10 restructuring but was not involved in Fiat's restructuring.

"We own 20 percent of Fiat Auto, but they are responsible for their operations," he said. He added: "Don't read too much into the (separation of Alfa). This is the approach at General Electric, where (Fiat Group Chairman Paolo) Fresco comes from. It is the same type of                     restructuring Boschetti successfully applied to Iveco."

Burns said Testore "did a good job (at Fiat Auto), but it is a company that has a lot of problems, and this is a tough business."

Burns said the changes will not affect the strategic alliance with Fiat Auto. The two companies are cooperating on purchasing, powertrains and on a premium-brand common platform.

"We have a good relationship from top to bottom, both in Europe and Latin America," he said.  Burns said he has talked with Boschetti and the two men agreed the companies have to "move fast, together." 

Me now:
Seeing that this situation seems to change week to week, I think I'll stop posting about this particular subject for a while, unless specifically asked...
Eric Storhok
Core Emissions and Fuel Economy Team
Advanced Powertrain Engineering
(313)33x75011
MD 35, FPC-B
Ford Motor Company

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