Comments from senior executives at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Peugeot Citroen Group indicate a merger could be imminent between the two companies.
Suggestions from both the Italian-American and French car companies in recent weeks could signal a merger given PSA Group and FCA already share a commercial vehicle business arrangement.
The Financial Times has reported recently, the two manufacturing giants who make Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer and Citroën Jumper large vans in a joint venture extended to 2023, had both implied even tighter alliances were a possibility with Peugeot group chief executive Carlos Tavarez telling media at the Geneva Motor Show he was open to deals.
FCA chief executive Mike Manley has also told FT he believed in any “partnership, merger or relationship that makes us stronger”.
Manley says the Ducato-Boxer-Jumper partnership is “one of the best relationships we have” and that FCA is “absolutely open to looking at” a tighter alliance with another manufacturer.
“It would be crazy of me not to,” he adds.
French media outlet Les Echos reports Robert Peugeot, chief executive of FFP, one of Peugeot’s three main shareholders, said “With them (FCA), as with others, the planets could be aligned.”
Sources have told FT FCA chairman John Elkann has had deal discussions with Peugeot, but nothing is imminent. Korean and Chinese brands have also been rumoured as having merger talks with Elkann.
