Reflections on Chrysler-Fiat Alliance

Chrysler completed bankruptcy reorganization and its alliance with Fiat, June 10, with the last obstacle, a temporary stay imposed by the Supreme Court lifted late June 9, as reported by the New York Times. Under terms of the merger, as reported by CNNMoney.com, Fiat will not be putting money into Chrysler but offers the U.S. automaker small, fuel-efficient auto technology and engineering that Chrysler can use, expected to save the company about $10 billion. Fiat benefits by being able to sell its products like the Fiat 500 in the U.S. market.

A Jeep owner since 1998, I felt affected personally by this merger and wonder what it will mean for my long-time relationship with Chrysler as a customer. It was just a little more than a year ago that I purchased my 2008 Jeep Patriot 4 x 4 from my local dealer, Grubbs Chrysler-Jeep in Bedford, Texas, located about 10 minutes from my home in Arlington. Previously I have owned a Cherokee I bought from a Chrysler-Jeep dealer in Norman, Oklahoma, who closed several years ago, and a Wrangler purchased from Don Davis Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep, in Arlington.

Since purchasing my first Jeep, I have been a die-hard Chrysler fan at least with regards to the Jeep. Dependable Chrysler vehicles have always been a part of my family. In fact I learned to drive in a Chrysler product at the age of 12 when my father use to let me to drive his old '64 Dodge truck on the red dirt country roads around our home while we hauled hay in from the fields. The memories of my childhood never fail to bring to my mind the lyrics of the Alan Jackson tune, "Drive."

"A piece of my childhood that would never be forgotten
I'd sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out too the pedals
Smiling like a hero who just received his medal
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can't replace the way it made me feel
And he'd say, "a little slower son you're doing just fine"
Just a dirt road with trash on each side
But I was Mario Andretti
When daddy let me drive"

I guess that song says it all as far as my feelings about Chrysler and what the company has meant to me. Grubbs was one of the dealers who lost their Chrysler dealership as a result of the bankruptcy so as a result I've already lost access to the service department that I've developed a trusting relationship with. I just hope when the dust clears, the Chrysler-Jeep brand survives. Things always change in life. We hate to see changes sometimes. Now is one of those times for me.

Sources:

de la Merced, Michael J. and Maynard, Micheline. Fiat Deal With Chrysler Seals Swift 42-Day Overhaul. The New York Times.com.

Valdes-Dapena, Peter. Take a look at the 'new' Chrysler. CNNMoney.com.

Alan Jackson. "Drive." Arista Records, 2002.