$5.5 billionamount that Ford blew through in the fourth quarter; they’re the only Detroit automaker not to take a bailout, and they had a huge loss last quarter source
We feel we’ve weathered one hell of a storm, and we’re cautiously optimistic as we move into ’09 that we can stabilize and grow again.
Mike DiGiovanni • General Motors sales analyst, on sales prospects for 2009. GM recently lost the title of top automaker to Toyota, although, considering the economy and bailout-tinged circumstances, neither are all that excited about that. • source
Fiat to buy stake in Chrysler? Chrysler’s under the gun after getting $4 billion from the auto industry bailout, so it’s looking for some outside help. It needs to come up with a plan to stay alive to show to the U.S. government by March 31. Enter Fiat, the Italian car manufacturer with a long history of foreign interests. source
Fiat to buy stake in Chrysler? Chrysler’s under the gun after getting $4 billion from the auto industry bailout, so it’s looking for some outside help. It needs to come up with a plan to stay alive to show to the U.S. government by March 31. Enter Fiat, the Italian car manufacturer with a long history of foreign interests.
Scratching each other’s backs Fiat at the very least would offer some help to Chrysler. Both would benefit from the deal. Chrysler gets access to Fiat’s experience in building efficient small-to-medium-size cars; Fiat gets a foothold in the American market to introduce some of its vehicles to the States. Win-win, right? source