Yeah fellas, keep waiting.  I got a feeling that, before you get a viable strategy out of Chrysler, Hell will be a Frigidaire dealership.

But there’s a vague glimmer of hope here, as Chrysler franchisees will now be getting their marching orders from Fiat SpA rather than Chrysler proper.

Now, ordinarily, I’d laugh myself stupid at the thought that somehow Fiat (widely known by the acronym for Fix It Again, Tony) would be able to generate a more viable corporate strategy than Chrysler, but hey…I’m laughing out the other side of my face today as it becomes clear that Fiat outlasted Chrysler.  And in business, survival is the only real judge of viability.  If you’re still in business tomorrow, then your business model works.

So what will that strategy be?  We won’t find out until at least Wednesday, when the franchisees get the word.

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Volkswagen has recently sent out a press relesae that tell us they and Porsche have finally reached an agreement that will effectively merge the two automakers by the end of 2011.

The deal went down by Porsche agreeing to sell their 20% VW stock options to the Emirate of Qatar  as VW will proceed to purchase 42% of Porsche AG for €3.3 billion. But that’s not all, VW will then pay an additional €3.55 billion for Porsche Holding Salzburg which is one of Porsche’s trading companies.

Let’s hope that this merger is in the best interest of both companies.

Read more about the deal in the press release after the break.

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At first, their move was seen as a crazy one but now we can see the result of it all. What was once laughed at has become the ideal route to avoid being shamed into the dreaded bankruptcy row. This is of course with reference to Chrysler which seems to be sitting pretty for its tactics which leaves General Motors possibly ending up with nothing.

If you will recall, Chrysler was frantically looking at all alternatives to help save the brand. The company is doomed by the brand will stay and with a merger as the viable solution, the Chrysler brand lives.

General Motors thought otherwise. It is only now that they are seeking financial bailout yet again, something that no one ever thought would happen. And now with all parties disagreeing, GM finds itself closer to filing for bankruptcy, all alone with no partners or deals for a potential restructuring plan to boot.

Of the two, Chrysler’s route was seen as idiotic by most. But now, Chrysler is still standing while GM may be a thing of the past soon. How things change and what the difference of opinion and belief can make or break a brand, something GM obviously failed to consider prior to all this mess.

(Source) Press

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