Fiat Chrysler CEO: We'll speak alliances, however we are able to go it alone

DETROIT (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler Cars (FCAU.N) Chief Govt has a message for Renault SA and different would-be companions: We’re completely happy to speak, however we are able to go it alone.

“Strategically, we have now a strong future and clear plans which might be being invested in and are underway now,” Mike Manley stated throughout a session with reporters the day after the corporate launched higher than anticipated second-quarter outcomes.

“That isn’t to say if there’s a higher future by way of an alliance or partnership or merger we wouldn’t be open and to it.”

Fiat Chrysler is open to re-starting merger negotiations with French automaker Renault, Manley stated, however added the French automobile maker shouldn’t be the one potential companion to achieve scale or plug gaps in Fiat Chrysler’s expertise or automobile lineup.

“To say are they the one alternative, the reply to that query can be a definitive ‘No,’” Manley stated.

Fiat Chrysler in June withdrew a $35 billion merger proposal with Renault after French authorities officers intervened within the talks and sought to delay a call on the deal.

The Wall Avenue Journal reported on Friday that Renault and Nissan try once more to reshape their alliance and resolve disagreements that helped to derail the merger talks with Fiat Chrysler.

Fiat Chrysler has a industrial automobile partnership with French rival Peugeot SA, and the 2 firms mentioned a broader mixture earlier than Fiat Chrysler made its supply to Renault, individuals conversant in the scenario have stated.

Manley stated automakers aren’t the one potential companions.

“There are cooperations that may assist in particular applied sciences. There are cooperations as we take into consideration the consumer-car interface,” he stated. “You possibly can see collaborations that by no means can be there previously.”

Fiat Chrysler’s North American enterprise is robust because of Ram vans and Jeep SUVs, however in different markets the automaker faces continued challenges.

The corporate is overhauling its mass-market enterprise in Europe, which is anchored by the Fiat model. Fiat Chrysler’s Europe, Center East and Africa operations had been marginally worthwhile within the second quarter and achieved 1.8% revenue margin in 2018. Manley has set a purpose of three% working margins, properly in need of the 10% margins the corporate forecast for North America.

Fiat Chrysler can enhance profitability in Europe by increasing the Jeep sport utility automobile lineup, launching a redesigned Fiat 500 line, together with electrical and hybrid fashions, and including bigger automobiles to the Fiat model, Manley stated.

“We’ve the oldest fleet in Europe,” within the Fiat model, Manley stated.

Rising the variety of vehicles produced per employee in Italy and decreasing the ranks of Italian hourly staff, Manley stated. However within the brief time period, Manley stated he’s ready to sacrifice gross sales quantity to extend margins.

“Margins in Europe are completely essential as we undergo the following three to 5 years,” he stated.

A deal to pool emissions credit with Silicon Valley electrical automobile maker Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) provides Fiat Chrysler strategic choices for managing rising emissions compliance prices, Manley stated.

In China, Manley stated the restructuring of Fiat Chrysler’s alliance with three way partnership companion GAC Group is decreasing prices. The enterprise wants so as to add extra Jeep fashions, he stated. “We solely have three automobiles localized,” Manley stated.

A 3rd problem for Fiat Chrysler is reviving the Maserati premium model, which misplaced cash by way of the primary half of 2019, partially due to writedowns associated to underperforming leases. The corporate has stated it plans to promote down inventories of Maseratis throughout the the rest of this yr.

An overhaul of Maserati’s product line will start with the debut of a brand new mannequin on the 2020 Geneva auto present, Manley stated.