Toyota, Ford Show No Interest In Heading Down The Aisle With FCA

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: June 12th, 2015

toyota ford show no interest in heading down the aisle with fca

When General Motors ultimately rebuffs FCA’s attempts to put a ring on it, Toyota or Ford could be the one true love, right? Not so fast.

Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz told those attending a groundbreaking ceremony at the Toyota Technical Center in York Township, Mich. his employer had not been contacted by FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne about consolidation between the two, The Detroit News reports.

Had the suggestion been made, however, Lentz says it wouldn’t happen, as there would be “no advantage” for Toyota to consider such a move, citing Ford’s decision to avoid bankruptcy by selling off brands like Volvo and Land Rover to focus on a simpler portfolio:

To me, a large OEM today taking on Chrysler is contrary to what was very successful for Ford. FCA has a very strong Jeep brand, and especially today with fuel prices, it’s a great brand to have… but it really isn’t a fit for what we need at Toyota.

Speaking of Ford, CFO Bob Shanks said consolidation could occur at the supplier level, as well as partnerships with other automakers to share powertrain and transmission technology. As for Ford marrying FCA, however:

We’re not a suitor for FCA. We don’t see that type of opportunity as one that applies to us.

We have a lot of experience with mergers… We’re not babes in the woods. Based on that experience, for us that doesn’t seem to be where we’d want to go. We want to have a more forward-looking perspective in terms of what’s happening in the industry… It doesn’t seem to be that it would be doubling down on the past.

Kelley Blue Book senior analyst Karl Brauer had some encouraging news for Marchionne, stating FCA would its true love eventually, just not among the larger automakers, whom Brauer believes already have enough on their minds as it is without seeing a Ram 1500 in the parking lot blasting “Every Breath You Take” and “Wrapped Around Your Finger” from its custom bed with embedded nine-speaker audio system:

Poor Sergio; always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

[Photo credit: Toyota]

#BobShanks #Fca #Ford #IndustryConsolidation #JimLentz #KarlBrauer #KelleyBlueBook #SergioMarchionne #Toyota

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

More by Cameron Aubernon

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3 of 51 comments

DrGastro997 on Jun 12, 2015

The amount of desperation coming from FCA is scary. Perhaps there'll be a resurrection of Diamond-Star if Mitsubishi takes the chance to relive it again.

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Jgwag1985 on Jun 12, 2015

Well GM almost merged it's European operations with PSA, it was that close. I don't think Sergio's move is THAT desperate.

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- Lorenzo on Jun 14, 2015
  
  That was a wacko move by former CEO Akerson that cost GM money. It was only the the French Government stepping in that saved GM from a huge mistake.
  
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