Talks with Fiat management have not been concluded on the part of Mercedes, and while no specific projects are underway, programs for the next Mercedes Class A and B have not terminated either. Daimler president Dieter Zetsche, in occasion of the Glk debut event, has reinforced ties with the Italian company, given as finished some months ago.

“I have a lot of respect for Sergio Marchionne”, said Zetsche, “We often catch up. We have discussed a possible base for a Fiat and Mitsubishi-Fuso partnership.” Zetsche also discussed the importance of the Chinese market for their own brand (”a place where we need to be present”), and praised Mercedes growth at 30,700 units, up 44% on 2007, in a market capable of exceeding 10 million units for the first time.

With thanks to Fulvio.

Via | Il Sole 24 Ore

Continue reading: Mercedes: ties with Fiat smoothed over

The agreement seemed ready, such to transform Sergio Marchionne’s denial into a real cold shower: the large relaunch plan for the Sicilian plant of Termini Imerese will not take place.

The managing director of the Fiat group then calmed everyone, underlining that 500 million euro will, however, be invested to acquire the assembly chain required for a new car, substituting the current Lancia Ypsilon with a relative hiring plan of 500 employees. Moreover the colossal 1.1 million euro renewal plan (opening of a second line of production which will increase manufacturing levels to 200,000 cars annually) would have been abandoned in the face of conditions judged “unfavourable”, such as to not reach an agreement on the 430 million euro of public assistance.

With thanks to bibo

Via | ccfa

Continue reading: Fiat: no mega-plan for Termini Imerese

A couple of final words from Sergio Marchionne and Luca De Meo, inundated by questions from Reuters at the stand in Geneva’s exhibtion hall, has anticipated juicy scenes about the short-term future of Alfa Romeo.

In view of the debut in the United States, the Biscione management is evaluating the possibility of establishing a manufacturing base in Mexico. The ufficial decision will be finalized by the end of the year: the head-to-head between the central American state and Canada, possibility revealed some months ago, would already be underway.

In a light-hearted moment, De Meo wanted to reassure Alfa fanatics, reinforcing that the desire to restore the brand’s values will not be disregarded: “in occasion of the centennial we will present a never-before-seen model”. On his admission though, the 140 project (the future 149) and the 141 project (the future 169) are not under discussion.

Via | Reuters

Continue reading: Alfa Romeo: a new model and a new base