Sergio Marchionne, the man in charge of both Fiat and Chrysler, has been named… the man in charge of both Fiat and Chrysler. Marchionne currently wears the CEO title for both automakers, and now he has officially been crowned as Chrysler’s chairman. Besides a nice addition to his resumé, this move consolidates Marchionne’s dual roles into an official position as the all-encompassing leader he already is. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: Fiat May Shift Italian SUV Production To U.S.
Fiat the Italian carmaker which controls Chrysler Group LLC, may shift planned production of Jeep and Alfa Romeo brand SUVs from its oldest plant in Turin to North America and build a small city car at the factory instead. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Auto Talk: Fiat CEO confirms 2011 Targets ‘For Now’
Fiat S.p.A. CEO Sergio Marchionne has confirmed the automaker’s 2011 targets “for now,” seeking to dispel concerns about a weak European market, slowing U.S. economy and a share slump that has nearly halved the company’s market capitalization. Hit the jump to read the rest of the story. Funk Flex Find Flex On Google+
Fiat buys another 16 percent stake in Chrysler, ups total to 46 percent
Automotive News is reporting that Fiat has paid $1.27 billion for an additional slice of Chrysler. The news follows a move by the Italian automaker last week that saw its total ownership jump to 30 percent. The newest acquisition increases that total to 46 percent, and analysts are predicting that the Pentastar’s latest partner may make the jump for a majority stake sometime soon. Fiat’s CEO, Sergio Marchionne, has already been quoted as saying that his company would like to eventually have control of the smallest of the Big Three. If that happens, it’s assumed that Marchionne would immediately push for an IPO. @funkmasterflex
(Video) Fiat 500 does 360-degree vertical loop at AutoRAI
If there’s an automotive spectacle that rivals the jump in sheer visual excitement, it’s got to be the classic vertical loop (aka loop-de-loop or loop-the-loop). There’s just something special about seeing a car go vertical, then upside-down and back all in one swift motion that makes the crowds go bonkers… and Shell (purveyors of gasoline that they are) used such a stunt to good effect at the 2011 AutoRAI show in The Netherlands. @funkmasterflex
Fiat raises Chrysler ownership to 30%
The Detroit News reports that the Italian concern has officially purchased an additional five percent of the Auburn Hills, MI-based automaker, bringing the total to 30 percent. It’s the second ownership increase for Fiat in 2011, as the automaker only announced that it was increasing its stake to 25 percent in January. @funkmasterflex
