Fiat would like to focus on the Japanese market with Suzuki, and for this approach it would even be willing to sell Alfa Romeo, one of its main brands, to the Germans of Volkswagen.
This is the sensational car rumor that appeared on the French site de La Tribune , according to which Sergio Marchionne is looking for a new intercontinental alliance, identifying Suzuki as a perfect partner in terms of characteristics: specialized in small vehicles (2,6 million sold annually worldwide) and leader of the Indian market (42% through Maruti-Suzuki).
The obstacle, however, is represented precisely by Volkswagen, which currently already owns 19,9% of Suzuki, and which has no intention of giving up, not even in the face of the significant cooling of relations with the Japanese company which has recently led to a judicial arbitration, still in progress, for accusations of imperialism. Fiat could therefore entice the Germans by selling them Alfa Romeos, a prestigious brand but whose range the Italian company is struggling to renew, in exchange for abandoning its stake in Suzuki.
The negotiation, again according to La Tribune, is however very complicated, as Marchionne would like a considerable payment and would also demand the reopening of the Cassino factory. However, the plan is clear: thanks to its participation in Suzuki, reaching that famous critical market share which the Italian-Canadian CEO estimates at 5,5-6 million units, while for now Fiat, also considering Chrysler, is stuck at 4,1 .XNUMX million units produced.
In any case, Turin has already signed an agreement with the Japanese company in January, according to which for the next three years, Fiat will supply Suzuki with 100 engines a year for factories in India.
