Fiat eyeing Opel?

Rumours are circulating that Fiat has its sights set on acquiring Opel. Automotive News Europe reports word from labour insiders at GM's European division that the Italian manufacturing giant would like to make GM an offer for Opel.

Fiat bosses are saying little in response, other than they would not discount the prospect if it became tangible and, according to Automotive News, Opel management is merely saying it is in discussion with several "interested parties".

The blue-collar moles reckon that Fiat would take a large stake, perhaps even a majority share, in the GM subsidiary. These rumours have arisen during a critical period in the joint-venture negotiations between Fiat and Chrysler.

If Fiat did acquire a controlling interest in Opel, it could have major ramifications for the automotive industry in Europe and abroad -- including Australia.

Here, Holden supplies V6 engines to Fiat subsidiary Alfa Romeo already and has had a long-standing development relationship with Opel.

Globally, Fiat shares platform development with Ford, so there's a potential conflict of interest there, never mind the whole Chrysler/Fiat merry-go-round.

The obvious question concerns GM/Opel/Chrysler product overlap, but there's also the likelihood that such a conglomerate would need to quickly look at the best way of managing a complex global infrastructure. The risk of plant closures and job losses would be very real, and that's where Opel's labor bosses come in.

On that front at least, the prospect of a Fiat takeover of Opel is not popular, explaining the information leaked to Automotive News.

The gut feeling around the traps is that some sort of announcement, whether it be Fiat-Chrysler, Fiat-Opel, or both, is imminent.

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