Nother CarGuy

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles says it is interested in forming a technical partnership with Hyundai. Speaking at the launch of the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 squad, FCA chief executive Sergio Marchionne said the carmaker is searching for a closer relationship with Hyundai but is not seeking a merger. “We already buy components from (Hyundai) .... let’s see if we can agree on other points, especially for the development of transmissions and hydrogen,” he said. In the meantime, FCA is investigating other ways to make money, including a potential spinoff of Magneti Marelli, the brand’s major parts manufacturer. Additionally, robotics maker Comau could also be subject to a spin off and venture into the world of artificial intelligence, Reuters reports. “Whether it happens as a spin-off or a distribution to shareholders, or whether we will raise some money in the process -- all things to be discussed with the board, we haven’t made up our mind,” Marchionne said. Word of a potential tie-u...

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has stopped production of all its right-hand drive Chrysler and Dodge models. The vehicles were built at the company’s facilities in Windsor and Brampton, Ontario and the cancellation will impact countries including South Africa and Australia. FCA’s decision was reportedly made because it simply couldn’t justify the costs of building right-hand drive models for only a select few countries. The decision also means both the Chrysler and Dodge brands will leave the South African market entirely. “This unfortunate situation has arisen from our principals in the USA no longer building Chrysler or Dodge vehicles in Right Hand Drive configuration,” FCA South Africa chief executive Robin van Rensburg told Allpar. As recently as November 2016, Fiat Chrysler’s Australian division said it was evaluating a business case for right-hand drive versions of the Dodge Challenger and Charger. However, the brand’s recent announcement means this will no longer happen. ...

FCA has confirmed work on a  Jeep pickup truck , a new Wagoneer and the long-rumored Jeep Grand Wagoneer, despite a  recent report saying  it had been put on hold.  The automaker announced the news while revealing a $1 billion investment to retool and modernize the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Michigan to build the Jeep Wagoneer and  Grand Wagoneer  and for Ohio’s Toledo Assembly Complex to build the pickup. As part of these investments, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles will create 2,000 new jobs in the U.S. and will introduce the three models by the year 2020. Speaking of the investment, FCA president Sergio Marchionne said “The conversion of our industrial footprint completes this stage of our transformation as we respond to the shift in consumer tastes to trucks and SUVs, and as we continue to reinforce the U.S. as a global manufacturing hub for those vehicles at the heart of the SUV and truck market. “These moves, which have been under discussion with Den...