FCA CEO Wants An Alliance With Google Or Apple - Is He Ahead Of The Game?

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne said he is open to an alliance with Apple or Google as he seeks a partner to merge with.

Asked if he would be willing to take his proposal to the tech giants if rebuffed by other automakers, Marchionne said it was possible. "I think we should encourage that dialogue anyway," he said on an earnings call Wednesday.

"I've always been intrigued by the notion of having technology disruptors show up in the marketplace and change the paradigm," Marchionne told analysts as part of his pitch for why the automotive industry should consolidate. "If they show up and they are truly successful, with their cash piles and know-how, they could fundamentally hurt this industry."

Marchionne has told Bloomberg that rival CEOs are not exactly beating a path to his door. Ford Motor and General Motors have little interest in combining with FCA, said people familiar with the thinking at each company.

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TheSteve - 4/30/2015 4:37:39 PM

+3 Boost

A few years ago, I used to wish for the day that I'd see an Apple infotainment system in a car. Now that I've see what the Post-Jobs, New Apple has to offer, I'm thinking Meh.

I've also seen Google's offering in Audi's most recent scary-expensive factory Nav system. Again, Meh.

So far, I'm not excited by the prospect of Apple or Google in my car.

MDarringer - 4/30/2015 7:44:32 PM

+1 Boost

Marchionne is Italian for MORON! He should be courting a merger with Mazda. Mazda was good for Ford and would be good for FCA. Marchionne should be courting another merger with Subaru before Toyota swallows them whole. FCA + Mazda + Subaru = a powerhouse. Then tie up with SAIC/Nanjing and call it good.

Besides, Google has walloped Apple with the Chrome environment, Chrome books, and apps. And that's from a diehard Mac user.

TomM - 5/1/2015 8:11:49 AM

+2 Boost

The problem with consolidation for the larger manufacturers is that there are already too many different "makes" in the pot. When you combine FCA offerings with - say - GM - you come up with to many competing vehicles in each range. So - you would end up with an OLD STYLE GM company with lots of different "makes" of the same vehicles. That has already been shown to no longer work. No real purpose in offering the ADAM and the 500 - for example.

So - the only way consolidation would be of benefit is it the makes are in different markets. Now if GM had sold Opel - then merging with a European brand might have been logical - although I would suggest Peugeot/Citroen before Fiat. A Fiat and Mazda merger has possibilities - as was suggested. Fiat has few cars that appeal to the American Market - and Mazda would add them - and their dealer network.

Now - of course - Fiat has very little in the offering to the computer community - to merging with a computer giant would give them access to THAT market - WHY? - I have no idea - would people but a FIAT digital watch?