Ferrari owned by GM now???
 

I was watching the world's greatest auto shows last night on speed and they started talking about the new Fiats and they mentioned something about Fiat being able to do more with their cars because of financial backing from GM after they baught them out. So now I'm confused because i thought the Fiat group had loads of money and also owned Ferrari. So if this is true does that mean Ferrari is owned by American? I know Ford tried to by them but couldn't and got pissy and make the gt40.

GM bought Fiat from Ferrari.

I think GM did get some diesel technology off that deal tho, but otherwise yeah, GM pays billions just to get out of the deal

No (fortunately).


First let me talk about the situation within the FIAT group, because I think there's a huge misconception on who controls what.

Fiat SpA is the huge conglomerate that owns aerospace (Fiat Avio), agriculture (Case New Holland), publishing (Itedi), production systems (Comau), automotive components (Magneti Marelli), and automotive divisions among others.

Fiat SpA has three major automotive divisions: Fiat Auto, commercial veichles and Ferrari SpA.

Fiat Auto controls Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and now Maserati.

Fiat's commercial branch holds Iveco trucks. Ferrari SpA controls only Ferrari itself, now that Maserati was moved to Fiat Auto.


All this to say that Fiat Auto doesn't have anything to do with Ferrari (well, directly anyway...).


Now, moving on...



In short, GM bought a 20% stake of Fiat Auto and they initiated a partership for engine, chassis and gearbox developments, among other things. (I.E., the new Punto and Corsa share the same platform and engines.) Lets just say it didn't go as well as initially planned, and so GM payed Fiat to break the agreement. Hence the being "able to do more with their cars" sentence. If you wanna know more details about this, just search in Google. :)


So yeah, Ferrari isn't owned by Americans and it doesn't have anything to do with Fiat Auto which, at this point, is far from rich. They nearly went bust, but things seem a bit better now. :D

lol, no problem. :D

To shed even further light.. Part of the agreement with fiat auto had that gm had to buy the rest of fiat under a certain situation. The situation occured and gm decided it couldnt afford to by the rest. So it paid its way out of the deal. Fiat auto is not long for this world.. By analyst estimates the gm buy out is the only thing keeping them afloat at the moment.

damn. it just goes to show the eventual trend of the economic world.


america (yes that's canada AND south america) vs the asian developing countries.


FUCK

Or It could be that the Italian government is proping up a company that doesnt deserve to survive because they are incapable of making even a small profit or even a semi decent product.

ok good.. just think ferrari technology going to corvette or gm taking 4.3 liter 483hp ferrari engines and making them 7.0 liter engines 500hp engines with leaf springs, then ferrari taking it's concentration from F1 to NASCAR...... (i need to stop letting my mine wonder :( )

^Can't wait till RC comment on this :mrgreen:

The question would be why.. That gm 7 liter is close to the same weight and external size as that ferrari 4.3 liter. I mean would they want to market the internal engine size or something? Would it be worth it to write hsp/liter on a sheet of paper at the cost of reliability and low maintenance costs? And why does it have to be nascrap? What about 24 hr lemans?

Realism.. I mean ford owns aston and you dont see the shitty mod motor in them.

If it takes gm owning ferrari to keep them from going under Im all for it.. Luckily though we arent currently in that eventuality.

Can you imagine.... employee discount for Ferraris? :mrgreen:

Err no, I disagree. GM has the know how to make Corvettes with sim engines and suspension if they really wanted to(the R&D GM spends a year is similar to other car companies profits), but the american market for that price range and size doesnt want that soo why would they change on a formula that works? Also the LSx motor has been around a long time any backyard can make it go fast for cheap they help keep alot of small businesses in business.

Now that world fuel prices are actually going up this might change that for future models but while the Corvette is a sucess sales wise dont expect too many changes.


Thanx Nuno for clearing that up I know some of it, now I know the rest :D

Hehehe - why would GM need to take a costlier, heavier slower car and put their badge on it? ;)

You should be so lucky to have a cheaper Ferrari that was faster, lighter and more reliable.

Be glad that GM doesn't try to produce an Enzo.

It would be a push rod V8 800hp rocket ship, weighing 2600lbs and costing $150,000.00 :P

Oh - and they would make 2000 cars a year ;)

So be afraid... very afraid... ;)

Didnt the general own lambo in the eightys?