Chrysler Group has emerged from bankruptcy protection as the "New Chrysler" with FIAT owning a 20% stake (with an option to increase to 35% and later 51% if certain financial and operational targets are met).
At the helm is CEO of FIAT, Sergio Marchionne, a dual Italian and Canadian citizen.
The future for Chrysler was bleak to say the least, but this is a good start considering Marchionne helped turn around FIAT. In 2004 FIAT was losing money but under Marchionne began turning a profit in 2005 and has since grown in profitability and revenue. Additionally, while other automakers were shedding jobs, FIAT increased total employees by over 20% from 2004 to 2008.
What's interesting is that Marchionne, prior to FIAT, had no automotive experience. However, he has worked as a chartered accountant and as a tax specialist and has a strong financial background, all traits that helped him improve the Financial performance of FIAT.
Marchionne believes in accountability of management and looks for new talent. Perhaps this different approach, that is, a willingness to clean out myopic management, make the necessary changes and introduce new ideas will be the ingredients that will enable Chrysler Group to succeed.
Showing posts with label FIAT. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FIAT. Show all posts
Monday, June 15, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
More trouble for the Auto Sector
A sector which, in 2001, employed, either directly or indirectly, over 7 million North Americans, is facing further trouble. Since December 2007, the auto sector has lost 27% of its jobs. That's almost 2 million people.
With Chrysler going into bankruptcy protection, the number of layoffs are going to climb. Everyone is hoping the merger with FIAT will save the day, but the reality is, the next several months are going to be tough. There is certainly good motivation for both automakers to work together: FIAT is a small, niche player and access to a greater variety of brands and a huge North American network will certainly be a boost, while Chrysler's motivation is more obvious - survival.
Still, deals can fall apart. Implementation may be unsuccessful. Supplier disruption is guaranteed as are supplier bankruptcies. How this will impact all the big players is anyone's guess but it won't be pretty.
Further government financing is inevitable.
Who's fault is it? Well, there is enough blame to go around including bad management, bloated unions, foreign competition, etc. Now, President Obama is blaming the secured debt holders for the failure to reach a deal. He's right of course but at issue is whether or not they can get a better deal in bankruptcy court than what Obama has so far offered (33 cents on the dollar).
Let's see if Obama's strategy of calling them 'vultures' will force concessions.
Regardless, the future of the auto sector is far from certain and, for the short term, additional pain is all but guaranteed.
With Chrysler going into bankruptcy protection, the number of layoffs are going to climb. Everyone is hoping the merger with FIAT will save the day, but the reality is, the next several months are going to be tough. There is certainly good motivation for both automakers to work together: FIAT is a small, niche player and access to a greater variety of brands and a huge North American network will certainly be a boost, while Chrysler's motivation is more obvious - survival.
Still, deals can fall apart. Implementation may be unsuccessful. Supplier disruption is guaranteed as are supplier bankruptcies. How this will impact all the big players is anyone's guess but it won't be pretty.
Further government financing is inevitable.
Who's fault is it? Well, there is enough blame to go around including bad management, bloated unions, foreign competition, etc. Now, President Obama is blaming the secured debt holders for the failure to reach a deal. He's right of course but at issue is whether or not they can get a better deal in bankruptcy court than what Obama has so far offered (33 cents on the dollar).
Let's see if Obama's strategy of calling them 'vultures' will force concessions.
Regardless, the future of the auto sector is far from certain and, for the short term, additional pain is all but guaranteed.
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