Consolidation in the auto sector “is inevitable. We have not abandoned the topic of consolidation, considered a fundamental pivot of this industry. In the light of the current situation, the plan (as of 2018) is fundamental". These are the words of Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA, who spoke at the press conference from the Detroit Auto Show, which opened today and on the occasion of which Fiat Chrysler Automobiles presented its new Chrysler-branded minivan: it is called Pacifica, and it is the first vehicle of the group also produced in hybrid version.
From the stage in Michigan Timothy Kuniskis, head of sales and marketing of Dodge, SRT, Chrysler and Fiat branded cars in North America, called it “the new minivan benchmark”. The minivan is "a segment invented by Chrysler over 30 years ago", when it "established a gold standard for families". Presenting images of the historic 1984 minivan, Kuniskis explained that since then the group has sold more than 14,3 million minivans. “We continue to lead the market” in this vehicle segment.
“Fca decided it was time to invent a new minivan: for this reason the company asked 6 million people who already owned a minivan what they wanted from a new one. From their answers, Pacifica was born, which boasts 37 new innovations”, said Kuniskis, specifying that Pacifica will arrive in dealerships in the spring. The hybrid version will arrive later in the year.
Marchionne also confirmed the targets and defined FCA's 2015 as "exceptional".
In Detroit it was also the day of Volkswagen: the German company is in the first important public release after the scandal of the rigged emissions and the revolution at the top management. With sluggish sales at its flagship brand and a difficult negotiation to avoid billion-dollar fines, Matthias Mueller, number one of Volkswagen in the storm of dieselgate, makes two promises to the Americans: the doubling of the investment for the Chattanooga plant, where an average SUV will be produced, and the assurance that "Volkswagen will make every effort to improve understanding of the United States".
On the plate of the negotiation with the US government, which he will personally conduct in the next few days, the number one of Wolfsbug puts a new investment of 900 million (in addition to the billion previously announced). A move that is worth about 2.000 new jobs. All this could favor what Mueller defined in the press conference as "a constructive dialogue with the authorities responsible for environmental safety" in the United States. These are the EPA, the federal environmental protection agency, and the CARB, the Californian agency that deals with the environment.
With them Mueller has to overcome important problems to bring the cars into compliance with the software that reduces emissions: "While in Europe the technical solutions have been found and the cars are recalled starting from this month - said Mueller - we are still working intensely to find a solution that satisfies our American customers. As soon as it is approved by the American authorities, we will make it known quickly".
