After complications following shoulder surgery, former Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne passed away, the company confirmed on Wednesday. He was 66 years old.
Almost immediately, tributes and condolences for Marchionne and his family poured in. General Motors CEO Mary Barra offered her company’s condolences in a statement.
We at General Motors offer our condolences to Sergio Marchionne’s family and friends. Sergio created a remarkable legacy in the automotive industry. Our thoughts are also with our industry colleagues at Fiat Chrysler as they deal with this sudden loss.
Marchionne famously emailed Barra over the possibility of a merger between both automakers, though Barra never responded to his offer. The late executive also spoke of a hostile takeover of GM at one point, too, in 2015.
It’s understood Marchionne suffered a cerebral embolism while undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, which caused a stroke and irreversible brain damage. According to Fiat-Chrysler Authority, the former CEO had been on life support with zero chance for a recovery. Last Saturday, FCA acknowledged Marchionne’s failing condition and named Mike Manley its new CEO, who previously steered the Jeep and Ram brands.
For more on Marchionne’s legacy at Fiat, Chrysler and Ferrari, head to Fiat-Chrysler Authority.
Comments
That’s really sad. My condolences to the family.
He was very instrumental in the saving of Chrysler IMO. Many may not have agreed with things he did but was a great man and will be missed.
Wasn’t this the butt-chapeau who tried gaslight GM into thinking they needed to merger with him to survive?
No he wasn’t the azz hatthat did that, he was the freakn business-focused CEO that was trying to make the best business moves that were available to him. Barra thought he was doing the right thing for FCA and said so. She also said that deal wasn’t the best for GM. Whaddya know! A deal that was good for one and not good for the other, and the deal was not closed and the parties moved on without regrets. Professionals engaged in business, something you rightwing freaks can’t understand because you think Business is about winning some kind of stupid game.
I never liked the fact that Chrysler was, in effect, sold off to the Italians for nothing and we somewhat lost a great American company but I have to say that I think Sergio did a great job combining and running the companies. There are a few things I disagree with like the Ram brand instead of Dodge trucks but overall he did well with keeping Chrysler operating in the US as they always had with mostly only positive change.
May he rest in peace. He did his job well and millions of Americans and Italians working for FCA have him to thank for the return to success for both Chrysler and Fiat. I hope he’s behind the wheel of a Ferrari with a smile on his face right now looking down upon us.
So now FCA is run by an Englishman, that makes it English, right? That makes America German as well, by the way…
I pay respects to his family.
As for the headlines of him saving Chrysler? Not much left other than Jeep and Ram. Sergio has single handily pretty much killed Chrysler and Dodge.
This is the man who took Chrysler killed off all the cars and really underfunded Dodge and Chrysler.
He did fund Jeep well and then took the profits and pumped them into the Alfa and Fiat lines. Alpha is still well under production as is Fiat from the volume goals he set and stated they needed.
FCA needed volume and to have reached those numbers the money from Jeep should have been put into Dodge.
Fiat is DOA in America and on life support most other places with too much over capacity. The Alfa has some interesting cars but their numbers are low and the resale will hurt them as will as the maintenance cost.
Maserati was once a special car but now it is just another car in a snowy Walmart parking lot.
Dodge has done well with little to keep the RWD cars interesting but the magazines will not test them against the Camaro and Mustang anymore as they always finish a distant third. The long delayed replacements are now expected to never come.
Ferrari was removed and now their had been talk Sergio was going to break Enzo’s golden rule and over produce the brand and go cheaper. That will damage them as Ferrari is all about exclusivity and high price. You make a Boxster challenger it just becomes another lower priced car. Finding a Ferrari on the road today is an event and should remain such.
Sergio has shaped FCA for a merger or take over but yet no one wants to join in. Hyundai was spoken of recently but even they are reluctant. Most people want Jeep and Ram but none of the other baggage.
There will be some kind words for Sergio due to what has happened but the results of FCA are clear and I expect with him gone some changes will come and FCA may be broken up and sold in parts unless a deal can be made for the whole company.
FCA is termed a multinational company since it is made up from brands from around the world. Much of the headquarters for business is in Auburn Hills and Italy. The official headquarters location for taxes is in London.
Even Sergio was born in Italy but raised In Canada.
Sergio had good control of the media as he was always good for a headline and he was different in an interesting way with his sweaters and comments. But saving the company? We will soon see just what he set up and I wager it will be the end of FCA as we know it.
FCA Board is not happy.
Sergio hid his cancer from them for over a year. The Surgery on his cancer went bad with a clot and he stroked out.
This left FCA in a rush to replace him. It will be interesting to see what happens now with all this so very unexpected or prepared for.
I know they have plans but when things happen unexpected often new issues are discovered.
A great man; a tremendous loss for the auto industry. So sad to read his passing.