Fiat: Will Opel be next after Chrysler?

After buying into the insolvent US Chrysler group, it seems that Italian car manufacturer Fiat are now more interested in ever than getting their hands on Opel. Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne announced that Opel would be the perfect partner for Fiat. There is indeed good reason for the increased interest shown by the Italians, since state funds of 3.3 billion euros could also cushion their Chrysler investment.

Opel's business has taken a boost from both the German "scrappage allowance", as well as from the new Insignia model which has been very well-received. Apparently Opel has 100,000 orders on its books, which has in fact led to extra shifts at their Rüsselsheim plant.