FIAT couldn't bring back FIAT.
The Daimler Chrysler merger was just proof that the Germans cannot manage foreign companies. They do well on their own but cannot seem to handle anyone else.
Arguably BMW's aquisition of Rover was an attempt at a backdoor grab at Honda. They didn't really want Rover, they wanted Honda. Honda had it's ducks in a row and so BMW execs had to hang their heads in shame and go to Japan to sign off on the deal. They ended up losing 6 billion and the CEO.
They failed at Rover. MINI being the only bright spot.
The Daimler Benz/Chrysler merger killed everything that had been going Chrysler's way in the 90's. Like it or not, Chrysler was one of the most exciting car makers of that decade. They forced Ford and GM back to the drawing board on their fullsize trucks. When the cloud cars (Breeze, Cirrus, Stratus) were introduced, the automotive press compared them to the Honda Accord. (of course when they sha+ out their transmissions early in their lives the comparison stopped) The LH chassis cars were something nobody expected and were arguably better looking and better driving than any Taurus or Lumina. Then their was the Prowler and the PT Cruiser. People actually paid more than $30,000 to be one of the first PT Cruiser owners. Prowlers were going for $50,000...more than a Corvette at the time. So what did Chrysler get during the merger? Some improved quality control and a few old S and E class bits to make the LX chassis. One car. (Oh, and the Sprinter van which may well be the best van on the market)
The Italians? really not known for their management and organizational skills. It has been said that Hell is where the police are German, the cooks British, the mechanics. French, the lovers Swiss, and it is all organized and run by the Italians. ...
So I expect nothing but pretty, Italian inspired, overpriced/under quality cars from FIAT/Chrysler.
I think MINI has already grabbed the portion of the market that the 500 is hoping for . The 500 is going to be like the Chevrolet SSR or HHR....a little late to the party to get a big piece of the cake.
I should know, I've had 2 X1/9s and an Alfa Romeo Spider (stupid Spica fuel injection piece of g*****n m***********n' s**t)
They were beautiful disasters.
If not for the quality of the Acura NSX, Ferraris would still have parts falling off of them and would still overheat in traffic.
before the NSX, Ferraris were kinda' crappy in the quality control deparment.
So in summary, Germans cannot manage foreign companies and the Italians can't even manage their own companies.
BTW: Volkswagen only has one "O"
Murcie L, Daimler/Chrysler was dissolved in 2007. Chrysler was purchased by Cerberus Capital Management.