Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne.
Though the U.S. half of the trans-Atlantic alliance may be still be struggling to turn itself around, Sergio Marchionne, CEO of both Chrysler and its partner Fiat, painted an upbeat picture for Italian shareholders, today, projecting that the two makers will boost revenues to 100 billion Euros – about $141 billion – by 2014.
The big bump will come on the Fiat side, said the Canadian-educated executive, with the Italian maker’s revenues expected to jump from 35.8 billion Euros, last year, to 64 billion, while Chrysler is projected to grow to 36 billion Euros. Marchionne has previously indicated his belief that Chrysler, which emerged from a brief bankruptcy nearly two years ago, will be turning a profit by then, as well.
But the chief executive also cautioned Fiat shareholders that he may have to go back on earlier plans to take Chrysler public again during the second half of 2011. During a question-and-answer session, Marchionne admitted, “I don’t know” if the long-discussed Chrysler IPO will happen this year or in 2012, stressing that the goal is to “be ready to be a public company again.”
The CEO has acknowledged closely watching how General Motors did during its own post-bankruptcy public offering. GM shares ultimately commanded $33 apiece, well above initial expectations, but in recent weeks that has dropped as low as $30.20 as investors fret about rising fuel prices and other concerns.
During the shareholders meeting, Marchionne underscored the benefits he expects the alliance to get by pairing Chrysler and Fiat brands, including the ability to expand both makers’ range of product offerings. Chrysler, meanwhile, is getting ready to press for new growth overseas, with new dealership agreements in development for emerging markets, such as Brazil.
Fiat took control of Chrysler – and was given a 20% stake in the troubled American maker – after the 2009 bankruptcy. Since then, the Italians have increased their stake to 25%, and Marchionne hopes that will reach 35% shortly, as his team meets a series of benchmarks, including the expansion of Chrysler’s global sales.
Ultimately, Fiat could raise its stake to 51% once it either pays off its government loans or finds alternate funding sources. Marchionne created a stir, earlier this year, when he complained about the high interest rate he is paying to the government, dubbing them “shyster loans.” Marchionne later apologized for the remark, which carries a tinge of anti-Semitism.
The 58-year-old Marchionne acknowledged that Fiat had a bit of a rough time, last year, sales declining 3.2%, largely due to the elimination of old car scrappage programs in Germany and Italy. But he projected that the new models developed with Chrysler should help recover lost share.
Yes, of course it’s perfectly plausible that a company that lost share in its home market last year, owes billions of dollars to the US Government and has two brands in its stable that are desperately in search of a reason to exist, will grow its revenues by nearly 80% over the next three years.
Keep serving up the Kool-Aid, Sergio.
Actually, DM, leaving aside personal or political views, it would seem almost certain Chrysler would regain at least some market share as it updates and replaces existing models. The Grand Cherokee and Durango alone will generate incremental volume, for example. Now, can Chrysler make up more than the smallest share of its losses, and can it actually regain real momentum, well, that’s another matter entirely.
Paul A. Eisenstein
Publisher, TheDetroitBureau.com
Fair enough, they will likely regain a bit of the market share they have lost over the past several years, even though they are still several years behind Ford and even GM on the product development curve. And all three of their mainstream brands are in JD Power’s bottom five. That can’t help.
So. An 80% jump in revenues? Seems unlikely considering that on the other side of the Atlantic Fiat is struggling, and Lancia is a joke.
Also, I don’t see where anyone was airing any political views. Yes, it is my personal view that he is blowing smoke. My overall point is that no one in the press seems to have the presence of mind to challenge him on such grand pronouncements.
Hi, D, Many of the comments about GM and Chrysler reference the loans, and usually carry a political charge, so apologies if I misread you. As to challenging assumptions, check our archives; we’ve often done so. Some stories simply report on events and don’t push beyond, as happened with this piece, but we will certainly continue making sure that Marchionne — or any other executive — is held responsible for both words and deeds.
Paul E.