Could Alfa be Trumped

[sportiva]

I

[kaleuclint]

The U.S. is the world's second largest export economy which is often overlooked given its negative trade balance; excessive consumption does that.  The biggest U.S. import commodity is crude oil, which contributes to its largest export commodity being downstream oil products, but again excessive consumption siphons off a lot of that.  Cars are the second biggest U.S. export commodity, though there is further imbalance as they import more than double that -- still a dangerous move to apply protection and it's not as if domestic consumption would shift to American product.   

Given this, if the U.S. believes a tariff barrier is the answer, which will be reciprocated, then they are wrong.  Alfa represents the quality and technology that the U.S. manufacturers should emulate (except for the SUVs...) and then maybe sophisticated people rather than Mustang owners might buy American made. 

In any case all the Chryslers exported would probably secure tariff free entry for Alfas.

[lombardi]

Trump on his second day in power met Marchione, i think one of the first meeting's of this nature , i guess both parties are aware of what could or not happen.

[poohbah]

In support of kaleuclint's remarks, I recall the primary target for Trump's punitive tariffs was those manufacturers importing models into the US which they currently already produce within the US. The example cited was Ford planning to open a factory in Mexico to produce the Focus, which is currently being produced in one of Ford's existing US plants in Michigan. Ford very quickly changed direction (as well as committing $700m to upgrade its Michigan plant), though it argues the decision had nothing to do with Trump's tariff threat, and was based on market conditions (yeah, right...).

So as long as Alfas are not seen as a direct competitor to any American vehicles, one would hope they should escape extra tariffs - indeed it could be argued it will improve the broader financial performance of Jeep Chrysler as a US-based manufacturer - even if only by making Alfa/Fiat/Maserati less of a drain on the overall group.

[kaleuclint]

It's not just Mexico of course; a lot of GM and Ford production is in Canada -- handy back when Australia applied tariffs to the U.S. but not Commonwealth countries. 

Not surprised POTUS met with Marchionne.  Trump wants to appeal to the rustbelt workforce (to his credit he is keeping his word on this) so securing manufacturing jobs at Chrysler would matter.

As for taking over or merging with GM -- why??  Economies of scale?  Infrastructure?  Technology?  GM was the biggest car manufacturer in the world if that counts for anything, and they aren't anymore...for very good reasons.  This has been going on for decades.  Met legendary "Maximum Bob" Lutz at a Monaro launch function years ago and rather than being awestruck by the guy's reputation I simply asked him why there wasn't a GM product that was advanced, exciting, affordable and engaging to drive?  I owned a Saab at the time (not engaging to drive and not that exciting) and look what GM expertise did to them!

[carlo rossi]

Trump will trump himself
it will be the classic give them ( the red necks) enough rope and they will hang themselves
but back to Alfa and other interesting cars
Rumour has it alfas new 4wd or suv will be a hybrid ?
any truth to this?

[bazzbazz]

To be honest, I am STILL surprised someone hasn't already tried to plug the idiot, seriously! 

[poohbah]

surprised someone hasn't already tried to plug the idiot

Advanced hair, yeah yeah...

[bazzbazz]

[poohbah]

Careful sportiva, or Putin's hackers will be telling Donald that Aroca poses a real and imminent danger to alternative truth, injustice and the trumpamerican way. All Giulias will be detained indefinitely on arrival in the US, before being sent Guantanamo for water boarding.  Plus you'll be added to every no fly list in the developed world.

[poohbah]

The CIA's netwatching algorithms are on to me you think

Don't worry Sportiva, I'm sure the guy standing outside your house every night is just listening to the cricket ...

[bazzbazz]

he might not see a second

MIGHT!!!!  Are you kidding me! MIGHT!      

[bazzbazz]

Though they may be the biggest bunch of gun toting, knuckle dragging, inbred, two headed, retarded mental deficients in history, the NRA is not dumb. After all they are responsible for the greatest marketing & public relation coup in history.

How you may ask, simple. They got Charlton Heston . . . . .the man burned into every persons mind as being the closest thing in the visible spectrum to represent God, Jesus, Moses, to be their president & public relations face man!

Picture this, it's a senate committee into the reduction of firearms in the US. Charlton is there, it's his turn to speak,  dressed in religious robes, his NRA minions dim the lights, set a fan blowing against him, furling his robes, a lightening machine sends flashes of gods wrath against the background, and from the desk he lifts a Kentucky Long Rifle above his head and cries "FROM MY DEAD COLD HANDS!".

Well  . . . . . .are YOU gonna argue with him? Not me!   

Dog and I aren't on the best of terms as it is!   

[kartone]

We need a Trump in OZ; drain the swamp ... flood the lake in Canberra and drown the cockroaches!

[kartone]

live in the US for 17 years, sometimes in Melbourne I do feel like pulling out the Uzzi!