Sergio Marchionne Rejected After Attempt to Woo Volkswagen; Immediately Resumes Courting GM
“And I’m all alone, there’s no one here beside me”
Photo:Giuseppe Nicoloro
When it comes to the possibility of merging with another automotive company, FCA is nothing if not persistent. After years of being rejected by General Motors, Fiat-Chrysler, or more accurately its CEO Sergio Marchionne, saw an opportunity to yet again court its fellow American automaker after it sold its Opel brand to French company PSA.
However, in the face of more rejection from GM, Marchionne may have set his eyes on another prize: Volkswagen.
During the Geneva Motor Show, Marchionne discussed the possibility of a merger with Volkswagen.
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The FCA CEO believes that PSA’s acquisition of Opel places both General Motors and Volkswagen in more vulnerable positions. General Motors now lacks a strong, stable presence in the European market, while Volkswagen will now have to deal with the fact that PSA is set to become the second-largest car producer in Europe.
“I have no doubt that at the relevant time they may show up and have a chat,” Marchionne proudly boasted.
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Of course, his attempt to court Volkswagen was quickly rebuffed, probably due in part to how ill-timed the proposal was. After all, Volkswagen is still trying to repair its reputation following the “Dieselgate” scandal, while FCA is currently involved in an emissions scandal of its own.
“We are not ready for talks about anything…we have other problems,” Volkswagen chief Matthias Mueller stated. “I haven’t seen Marchionne for months.”
“Rejected, thrown away. Affected, I don’t know what to say.”
In the end, it would seem that talks of a merger with Volkswagen were merely a distraction from Marchionne’s quest to win over his one true Dulcinea: General Motors.
“The desirability of GM as a potential merger candidate remains untouched,” Marchionne repeated.
Unfortunately for him and FCA as a whole, General Motors remains equally committed to its rejection of a merger.
“We weren’t interested before and we’re even less interested now,” GM President Dan Ammann told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show.
General Motors to FCA: “Please stop calling”
Nevertheless, Marchionne remains ever-vigilant, on the prowl for the next target of his merger affections.
“I never close any doors. I may shamelessly try and knock again,” Marchionne shamelessly stated. “On the GM door or any door if I thought it was a good thing for the business. Absolutely, without even blinking.”
We’re pretty sure this desperate and frankly creepy attitude sums up why Fiat Chrysler keeps on ending up rejected.
Also, it’s easy not to blink when you are secretly reptilian
Zachary Berry currently resides in the Dayton, Ohio area. However, he enjoys traveling from place to place, as he was born in Oklahoma City and has also lived in Albuquerque and Orlando (such is the life of a military brat). Zachary graduated from Ohio University with a major in Strategic Communication, which is fancy talk for advertising and public relations. Beginning his career at The News Wheel as a lowly intern, he was able to climb his way to the top, eventually claiming his place within the last cubicle on the left. Other jobs that Zachary has held include driving around a safari truck at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. When he’s not putting his nose to the grindstone, Zachary enjoys watching and critiquing movies and television. See more articles by Zachary.