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

by Cameron Aubernon

June 12th, 2015 8:32 AM

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

Comments

Join the conversation

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.

Like Reply
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.

Like Reply
- 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.
  
  Like

Recent Comments

Art Vandelay Pour one out for the Motors Liquidation Corporation
Bill Wade Norm, while true I'll leave you with this. My 2023 RAM is running Android 8 released in 2017.My wife's navigation on her GM truck is a 2021 release, I believe the latest. Android Auto seems to update very week or two. Now, which would you rather have? Anybody with a car a couple of years old NEVER sees any updates. Heck, if your TV is a few years old it's dead on updates. At least cell phones are rapidly updated. If your old phone won't update, buy another $200 phone. If your GM vehicle doesn't update do what, buy another $50,000 GM vehicle?
Lou_BC Once again, Mustang is the last pony car standing. Camaro RIP, Challenger RIP.
FreedMike Next up should DEFINITELY be the Cadillac Eldorado. On the subject of Caddies, I saw a Lyriq in person for the first time a couple of days ago, and I'm changing my tune on its' styling. In person, it works quite well, and the interior is very nicely executed.
Probert Sorry to disappoint: https://robbreport.com/motors/cars/tesla-model-y-worlds-best-selling-vehicle-1234848318/and any list. of articles with a 1 second google search. It's a tough world out there - but you can do it!!!!!!