At the Detroit auto show, Marchionne reconfirmed investments to upgrade factories Jeep in Michigan and Ohio, earning the thanks of the president. But it was a decision made from 2014. And on the electric: “I Am skeptical, for economic reasons,”
DETROIT - The funniest moment of the press conference of Gps happens towards the end. Surprise when the ceo of the FCA receives a tweet of Donald Trump saying: "Thank you Fiat!". A text message and goes the fear. Afraid of what? Of measures anti-Fiat from part of the neo-american president. Let’s take a step back for those who do not know the background and explain better.
From a couple of weeks Trump was put to criticize via twitter, the large u.s. multinationals that invest money to open new factories abroad instead of carrying work in the USA. Trump is a protectionist convinced, and is also seeking a firm, aggressive and also rough, to defend the interests of the americans and the jobs in America. Already a few days ago had beaten the Ford – via twitter – why he wanted to open a car factory in Mexico, where the cost of labour is lower. Trump via twitter had threatened the colossus of Detroit saying more or less: if you open the factory there, instead of in the USA, I raise the taxes on the cars produced in Mexico 35%.
on the day of the opening of the Detroit auto show, the tang of the shadow of the expectation of any threats Trump also against FCA, which builds in Mexico, the Fiat 500 it sells in the Usa. Instead, Marchionne, with a clever move, on the eve of the saloon has announced the confirmation of the plan of investment of $ 1 billion to enhance and improve the factories Jeep in Ohio and Michigan. It was not a big surprise: were the investments decided about two years ago to strengthen the line Jeep that has a lot of success. But Marchionne has cunning mentioned on the eve of the salon by removing Trump any occasion to argue, as he had done with Ford.
So while Marchionne was also a bit boring spoke at the press conference of strategies, investments, budgets, and new cars to build, someone has flashed the phone. It was the tweet to Trump that he thanked Fiat for the investment in the two factories in the USA, those who received it was quick to pass the message to Marchionne that has a grainy eyes for the surprise. the "What can I say? Thank You Trump. But that investment in the two factories Jeep is a due act to the country (going to the USA, ndr). the yesterday’s announcement of the investment was part of the established programs in 2014. Especially the Wrangler, of the many Jeep, it will always be in America , and not elsewhere, because it’s an easy drive from the typical american. You can move it. Only that the productive capacity of our factories was limited: you think that in 2009 we had 60 thousand, and last year we had to build 260mila. And the factories that we had was no longer enough. It was necessary to strengthen, and that is what we did by deciding that the investment".
How to say that Trump has nothing to do with the decision, but the announcement of the investment is useful to dampen down the controversy and avoid additional fees. The scene and distance with Trump has been the most fun of a press conference, a little monotonous in which Marchionne has faced so many other issues. Here is a summary topic for argument.
NEW car Marchionne spoke of the new models arrival of various brands and has shaken off the end of the project of the legendary Viper, the GT, which from when the FCA took control of Chrysler has been set aside. the "The Viper will be part of the plans for the next two years. With regard to the Alfa Romeo, however, the question is whether to do it or not, the Giulia station wagon. I don’t know yet if we’ll produce. We are waiting for the markets reaction to the new SUV Stelvio before taking a decision. You know, the station wagon is a deonomeno exclusively european, while the SUV is a worldwide phenomenon and then I have to say that, as a priority, if you invest on the Giulia wagon or Suv’s, are more oriented to the second choice. But we have to see how they develop things. As to Chrysler, I deleted the 200 and the Dart. For strength, in the last 5 years, 80% of the increase of sales in the USA was especial ly of SUVS and pick-up. the What is the sense to invest on the sedans? We prefetio point on the potenxiamento Jeep. We are working hard to make this international brand".
SPIN-OFF of the ALFA ROMEO – Marchionne has denied the hypothesis of a spin-off of the luxury brands Alfa and Maserati, to create a society in and of itself, as was the case with Ferrari, as speculated by various analysts of the stock exchange. the "If the FCA we take away also the Alfa and the Maserati then what is left? And then the basis of the technology of the Alfa Romeo is the same for Maserati and will be the same as the Jeep top of the range, so it makes sense to split the company".
ELECTRIC Marchionne continues to be skeptical about the electrical world. the "there are skeptical about electrification for moral reasons but economic. I don’t think the american market can alone dictate the development of this technology. Sure, engage the electric is a due act to evolve its technology and keep pace with the times. But I do not believe in a world that suddenly wake up one day and it becomes all the battery. It is not a thing feasible, even from the point of view of production. the agreement with Google? There is a partnership in place, but then the world of autonomous driving is complex. We are connected to them in the development. They need cars that use their systems and not have dates. Then I think their interest is to give a service, I don’t think Google is interested in the maintenance of the car and there we us. Our dealers FCA can manage a similar service"
ITS FUTURE Marchionne has also confirmed that his plan is to leave the FCA to the end of 2018, as anticipated many years ago. "I’ve always said that my goal and return to the FCA to a situation without debt (it is currently about 5 billion, ndr). When I took over the business in 2004, Fiat sold just over a million cars and had a debt of 11 billion. The goal is to get to the end of 2018 with 9 milisrdi of operating profit, 5 billion in net profit, 5 billion in cash and zero debt. We are on the road. At that point, I have reached the goal and I will be able to leave. I’m already considering my succession, will decide on the board, but I’m looking into the possible men who can take my place. And it will be an internal solution".
FERRARI – While not talking a great deal about F1, Marchionne was granted a dig in some companies, such as the Faraday of the Future who used a Ferrari to prove that their new electric car is faster in the acceleration of 488. "If we want to go fast on the straight, just take a missile and it is even faster. But a sports car is seen in the curve. We go to the Nurburgring and then we will see who goes from strength to strength there".
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