Fiat

GM is stuck between a rock and a hard place over an agreement it signed in 2000 to allow FIAT to force GM to buy the whole of their notoriously unprofitable automotive operation (see story in The Detroit News). As of today Fiat <span style="font-style: italic">can</span> force that option at any time in the next 5 years, and is doing everything it can to bring that about right now. GM's currently negotiating a cash settlement to stop it, but it's not looking good and will be very expensive for GM's currently shallow pockets.

It may be more expensive to get out of the deal than to go through with it. If they're stuck with Fiat (Ferrari-Maserati and IVECO are <span style="font-style: italic">not</span> part of the deal) is there anything over there that we'd want?

Literally as I was typing that this story came over the wire indicating that GM will pay $2 billion to get out of the deal. It is currently unconfirmed.

Alfa-Romeo! They have a nice product line in Europe, don't mess it up in committee at GM

Great--That Billion dollars or so could have really made for some great products.

Velite Convertibles for the mass market sporty set--( The heck with Velite--call it a Skylark !! ).

An exceptionally cool premium moderate priced 4 door and 2 LeSabre with performance options ( dare we say Wildcat ) for the needs room for 6 set that might just want to show the tuners a taillight or two..

A world class top of the line Roadmaster ( dare we say Limited ) to replace the Ultra

More performance goodies for the LaCrosse--like maybe a 2 door and turn it loose to go head to head with the the Tuner cars.

And, if any $$ left over, put the Blackhawk into limited production at $50K a pop as a draw into the show rooms--to frustrate the Caddy folks and annoy the Vettes as a bonus.

Sorry--I think I just described the Buick line up from around 1953 until 1972 which did include quite a few high sales years.......

Why on earth would anyone approve a deal to buy FIAT? Sounds like someone at the Renn Cenn should be piping the country music song "What were they thinking" through the PA system for about 3 days at high volume.

May the group that came up with this FIAT deal find their golden parachutes changing to solid lead

HALFWAY DOWN!!!!

Hey guys, been awhile, haven't seen or used this in a long time!

FIAT....Fix It Again Tony !!!!!!

Counting the days to Daytona & Batavia

Les