Q1. Expand on the rationale behind the Fiat and Chrysler strategic alliance.
In December 2008 Fiat witnessed such a drop off in its demand for cars that they were forced to close for a month and lay off close to 50,000 workers. The company indicated that amid the financial crisis it was looking for a partner who could give the company the much needed push in the North American market. Fiat learned about Chrysler’s bankruptcy problems and put an offer on the table for the purchase of Chrysler. Experts felt the alliance was part of Fiat’s expansion and risk diversification strategy. On Jan 20th, 2009 as part of its bankruptcy filing, Chrysler announced its plans to establish a global strategic alliance with Fiat.
The rationale
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It was because of this agreement with the Government that Chrysler had to present a long term viability plan to the US Government by the end of March 2009, which needed to include the possibility of mergers with other companies. This is effectively what allowed the Fiat/Chrysler alliance to take place.
Q2. Investigate what could be a hindrance to the realisation of the synergies of the Fiat / Chrysler partnership?
In any merger, or acquisition for that matter, it can be extremely difficult. In a lot of cases mergers often fail to produce the anticipated gains.
There are many difficulties of which both Chrysler and Fiat may encounter, such as;
1. One company’s reputation can damage the profitability of the venture as a whole.
2. The coming together of different cultures.
3. Different business strategies.
4. Increase in management turnover.
5. Increase in bureaucratic and export costs.
1. Reputation
“A good reputation is worth more than money” Publilius Syrus
A company’s reputation will determine its success rate; a good reputation generally leads to a successful profitable company. A bad reputation will affect a company’s profitability whether that is through poor customer service or production faults, if a company garners a substandard reputation
enabled Chrysler to begin selling cars in Europe and compete with Ford and GM on
Monopolies were on the rise, with the assembly line raising production rates, Ford and Chrysler were able to out-produce their competition, essentially forcing them
Bankruptcy discussions started immediately and centered on the prospect of Chapter 11 bankruptcy (Start Fresh Today 2012), commonly called restructuring. It was generally used to provide a window of opportunity for a corporation to renegotiate contracts, sell assets or component businesses for cash, obtain debt forgiveness, or otherwise reform itself as a viable business enterprise. On April 30, 2009, Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after talks with lenders broke down (Start Fresh Today 2012). On the May 14, 2009 Chrysler announced it was to close 25% of its US dealerships as part of its restructuring process.
For the corporation that has acquired another company, merged with another company, or been acquired by another company, evaluate the strategy that led to the merger or acquisition to determine whether or not this merger or acquisition was a wise choice. Justify your opinion.
In the hyper competitive world of today’s mega corporations controlled by the sway of the stock market, giant old industrial era companies rule over the automobile market in the United States as well as large parts of the global automobile market. Companies such as General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford were at the center of it until the economic crisis now known as the Great Recession of the late 2000s. The whole market was declining in sales with General Motors and Chrysler taking the biggest hits while Ford only suffered decline comparable to foreign automakers’, Honda and Toyota, levels due to restructuring in prior years. However, the tipping point was edging closer to bankruptcy with General Motors and Chrysler that ultimately
The Fiat Auto acquisition of Chrysler occurred in 2014, which turned Chrysler into an Italian automobile manufacturer (Abrams, 2014, para. 1). By combining these two firms one automaker now have strong ties to the American and Italian auto industry. By Fiat gaining Chrysler’s reputable name it can easily penetrate the American market. This why the acquisition between Fiat Auto and Chrysler can be seen as a growth strategy. Fiat now competes in a large global market, which subjects the firm to many different external environments. The General Enviornment consist of factors that affect every industry, for example taxation. A firm that operates in the auto industry and one that operates in healthcare industry are both going to be subject to government taxation and affect by it. In order to work efficiently and eliminate the threat of general enviornment risk the firm must use a strategy of including these risks in their work process. For example, if Fiat operations in the United States (U.S.) have to follow the U.S. Department of Labor regulations and pay any employee that works over forty hours in a workweek, overtime pay (2015, para.1). In order to reduce the cost associated with paying overtime and keep the budget in line, Fiat might consider hiring in part-time help during its anticipated high volume periods. This will keep production costs low and allow for a larger margin of profit.
Before the Great Recession of 2009, GM owned a bevy of brands including Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, Buick, Pontiac, Cadillac, Hummer, and Saturn, including other international brands in Alpheon, Daewoo, Saab, Vauxhall, Opel, Wuling, and Holden. After the recession, bankruptcy, and federal restructuring, the GM United States offerings were left with Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac. GM still has the international automobile companies of Alpheon, Vauxhall, Opel, and Holden, with Daewoo now being a parts subsidiary. But the writing was on the wall as the automotive giant was losing touch with what the American public wanted. Instead of building vehicles the public wanted, GM built vehicles that they wanted to build and thought the public would buy their brand regardless (Boe, Ketler, O 'Keefe, Rubenstein, & Siverio, 2009). But as time marched on, GM became more in debt and grew to be
In 1993, GM entered the New Generation of Vehicles partnership alongside Chrysler and Ford to promote the development of more fuel efficient vehicles. This was a major step for all three automakers as they were, and still are, the main three American rival automakers. The year 2003 saw GM bow out of the defense industry when it sold GM Defense to General Dynamics; this was indicative of a renewed focus on fuel efficiency, and in 2004, GM
General Motors, the “mother company” has faced many troubles in the past, and surfaced. A research by the National Research Council in the United States has revealed in 1992 that there had many impacts and future impacts in the automotive industry, indeed; it would affect the jobs and the internal economy. However, General Motors understood the threat potential that this and established strategic plans to revert the trend. Furthermore, whether General Motor Company was able to change the trend, and it saw the internal and external factors, prepared a strategic plan, Holden being the first brand in Australia, with at least just the 10 % of the population compared with the USA, the way to get a plan looks easier. In addition, it is easier to see a trend in countries with low population and good policymakers. In 2008 General Motors faced again the limit to bankruptcy. A fierce plan to develop and a new business association with FIAT made that GM avoid the dissolution. Even do all Europe have had a similar crisis( Boudette & Choudhury,
The company that chose for this assignment is Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz is a old company. It established since almost one century ago. Mercedes-Benz is also a well-known automobile company on the world. It also have many competitors such as Audi, BMW, Volkswagen and so. In the following paragraphs will shows the Mercedes-Benz company background, country background, example of PESTEL, Porter’s 5 Forces, Strategic Recommendations and the conclusion.
Fiat and Chrysler formed a partnership in 2009, when Chrysler emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. Since then, it has gradually increased its ownership, and combining its operations. Fiat owned 58.5% of Chrysler, and prior to the IPO offer in September 2013, Fiat long wanted to acquire the remaining stake from UAW, but the two sides could not reach an agreement over what is a fair price. As a result, UAW decided to file for IPO, using a provision of the bankruptcy agreement that allowed it to require registration for an IPO.
GM, being a larger, more complicated and global company than Chrysler, is not expected to have its valuable units exit bankruptcy quite as quickly, though.
Globalization changes have impacted Burger King in the following ways; since the company began in 1953 with its first restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida and opened several locations across the United States, the company began its international expansion in 1969 with its first international franchise location in Canada, followed by Australia in 1971, and Europe in 1975. The setting up of franchises outside the United States was as a result of fast food opportunities arising outside the United States. So as to fully integrate in the international market, Burger King had to adopt and embrace
General Motors can trace it’s begins to 1908 the world largest automaker employing over 200K people in 157 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 31 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, FAW, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM 's largest national market is China, followed by the United States, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. (About GM: General Motors Company, Company Profile , 2010) In this paper I will provide an analysis about General Motors (G.M.’s) strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats (S.W.O.T) and a brief history.
In the Fiat’s Group it is noticed a high impact turnaround, the re-launch of the company had been made possible by the identification and implementation of a very clear strategic choices which had a significant effect on the firm’s business model in relation to its competitors. The positive aspects of their strategy is the risk reduction due to the diversification of the Group’s business, which in turnaround process lower