GM, Fiat Reach Deal Over Put Option

Reuters via Excite ^ | 2/13/05 | --

[PAR35]

GM is paying almost $2 billion to NOT purchase an asset. GM had entered into a deal to buy Fiat's automobile division, and they are now buying their way out of that contract.

[annyokie]

Another item in the litany of foolish moves by GM over the past few years.

[TexasTransplant]

It's a Fiat did ya see it?

[Madame Dufarge]

I could be wrong, but didn't Fiat make the Yugo engines?

[Clemenza]

Fix It Again Tony

Feeble Italian Attempt at Transportation

[Clemenza]

Yes they did.

[international american]

"Feeble Italian Attempt at Transportation"

ROTF.....Never heard that one!

[truth_seeker]

GM is the company that stopped building Camaros and Firebirds.

With NO replacement.

The company that built the Aztec.

The company that puts Saab badges on Suburus.

The company which found the GTO reintroduction vehicle in Australia.

[chickenlips]

Fiat originally made the Model 127 which became the Yugo when Fiat sold the design and machine dies to the Yugoslavs. Prior to that the Yugoslavs had been producing an even earlier version of a Fiat model similar to the rear engine Fiat 800. (I owned one of those here in the states, tiny and loads of fun.)

I had a Fiat 127 when I worked in Greece in the early 80's. The thing was reliable and nearly indestructible. It was built better than the Yugos by far. Quite frankly I have had few cars in the US that could take the abuse I gave that car.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"The company that puts Saab badges on Suburus. The company which found the GTO reintroduction vehicle in Australia."

These are, of course, two of the very best vehicles offered by GM today. Imagine: a reliable goes-like-stink Saab, and a Pontiac that can get out of its own way. Would that all of GM's moves would be so positive! Seems only their truck, Corvette and Cadillac operations offer world-class stuff otherwise. Minivans: jokes. Small to intermediate sedans: jokes. Econocars: jokes. And so on. Sad to watch.

[PAR35]

Another item in the litany of foolish moves by GM over the past few years.

No, getting into the deal was foolish. Paying twice what they should have to get out of it was the best available move.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I knew a sports car store owner in eastern Iowa who counted up all the Fiats in the Cedar Rapids-Iowa City area and made sure he had a new starter on the shelf for every one of them. He generally sold out by the end of February.

[PAR35]

Cadillac operations offer world-class stuff

Like the Cimmaron - it wasn't even good when they sold a much cheaper version as a Chevy. And their reliability as a make doesn't appear to be competitive with Chevy. http://www.autooninfo.net/RelPerCadillacCharts.htm

If you want quality, stick to Japanese, including made in the USA Japanese. (and consider Mazda and Nissan Japanese at your own risk.)

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

You're showing your age, citing the Cimarron! Yah, that was the homecoming float in the P.O.S. parade.

What Cadillac is offering today is, indeed, truly impressive.

Luxury cars (including Japanese) always seem to have "worse" reliability ratings than their more pedestrian stablemates. More gizmos to break, and pickier owners.

[toddlintown]

My first car back in the '60s was a Fiat. It spent more time in front of the mechanics' garage waiting for parts from Italy that I could ever drive it.

Story was the Vatican (at the time) owned or had a substantial amount of stock invested in the company.
As an RC, I was totally embarrassed.

A Fiat Spyder...what a piece of sh*t!

[epow]

(and consider Mazda and Nissan Japanese at your own risk.)

I know that Mazdas are more Ford than Mazda these days, but what's wrong with Nissan? Mine has over 150,000 miles and is still as reliable as a wood stove.

I know that Renault bought 40% of Nissan, but I also heard that Renault will have no input on the Nissan lines sold in Japan or the US. If Renault ever gets a hand in building Nissans I won't buy another one. Renault has built some of the worst dogs in automotive history.

[annyokie]

I worked for them for many years. They have shot their new car market to death for the next five years with the 0% financing and the giant rebates.

They force their franchises into giving up the hold-back, thus starving the salesmen and pretend they are rewarding them with GM points-----of which you need , literally, millions of them to "earn" an electrical appliance.

I hope they die a painful death and I will continue driving my Fords.

[TexasTransplant]

>>>>The homecoming float in the P.O.S. parade<<<<<
Now that there is funny, I don't care who you are, that there is Funny!


Move over American Motors!

[annyokie]

I admit that I like Cadillac's aggressive grill and boxy shape.

[annyokie]

I know that Mazdas are more Ford than Mazda these days

True. And they have been since the 80's. Honda's SUV is actually an Isuzu. Buy it at the Isuzu dealership and save a fortune.