Now that Fiat owns most of Chrysler and it saying that their focus is on fuel efficient cars, where do you think that leaves Dodge and Cummins. I'm not trying to cause a big fight, just want to know other people's opinions.

 

I think Fiat stays out of the Truck production. I don't believe that they are going to put any Iveco 2.8 diesels on full size trucks. Even though Dakota would be sweet with one of those.

 

Just read on Yahoo that Fiat is splitting the company into a Chrysler Div., a Jeep Div., Dodge Div., and Mopar. Hopefully, their focus on smaller vehicles will not drop the trucks off. Dodge has a good reputation with the Ram and I would hate to see it ride off into the sunset. We will have to wait and see.

 

FYI----The "Chrysler union retiree trust" owns the majority of Chrysler (55%). The government owns 25% and Fiat now owns 20%. According to this news. What a mess http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/10/f...ps-down-press/ But to answer your question the two largest owners will be calling the shots and most likely the cars will be dinky golf carts.

 

That's what I'm afraid will happen.

 

The unions will always get the lions share so they can have more seats on the board of directors, then they can decide how much to pay their overpaid workers and steal the rest. Unions are like drug addicts, you can't trust them. They will steal from you then help you look for it.

 

It's good to hear the retiree trust owns most of the company, as I would have a really hard time buying a vehicle made by Fiat.

 

WOW!! Thats a little harsh.

Please dont lump all unions together. My union is head and shoulders above most. www.local361.com

 

You guys read too much into Fiat "owning" the company. The government and UAW are basically inviting Fiat's management team to take a minority stake in the company and turn it around, like they did with Fiat a few years ago. As a bonus, Obama's people can claim that Fiat is providing technology to help Chrysler develop fuel efficient small cars. We all know this is a PR stunt. Chrysler can build a good small car as well as the next guy and even has some EVs in the hopper from before the pre-Fiat era. They just know that small cars will not make you a lot of money in the US market. Trucks, SUVs and large sedans like the 300 do (er...did). US buyers equate size with price and will not pay more than $15k for a small car like they do here in Europe (visiting the in-laws here for another week).

 

Overpaid! give me a break....so you are telling me that if you were a auto worker, that you would tell the company that they were paying you too much? You would ask them to take some of it back, that you're being overpaid? Of course you wouldnt. Personally I'd rather have a well paid and skilled worker, who actually gives a **** about what they're doing, building the vehicles that me and my family drive around in than some unskilled worker making minimum wage that couldnt give a **** about their job. The reason people join unions is the better pay and the benefits......to try to make a better life for your family. Isnt that what every man wants for their family? I do..... I am a proud member of IBEW local 917.

 

so the bashing on all unions could stop now. thanks

local 49ers through out the family!!

now back on topic, i think they will definatley leave the ram/cummins package alone as it is a good compitetor with the other two choices.

 

JRN, well put!!!!!!

 

X 2

I am sure that the last time Joseph Filippi was given a raise, he turned it down. "No Thanks, I already make too much".

 

The path for the "merger" to occur has been cleared (not much of a merger, more like Fiat's management team has been hired to get the wagon out of the mud) . Here's an interesting article, including the a letter from the new CEO (Nardelli's out) that is revealing: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2009...NEWS/906109980

 

I am sure by using the same thought process as Mr. Filippi, that there some that have a less than perfect opinion about insurance agents and lawyers.