Volkswagen has strongly rejected any suggestion it is open to merger talks with Fiat Chrysler.

"We are not ready for talks about anything," chief executive Matthias Mueller on Wednesday told Reuters at the Geneva show.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

"I haven't seen Marchionne for months. We have other problems."

The news agency noted Marchionne had said on Tuesday, also at the show, Volkswagen could be an attractive prospective partner and may be interested in talks.

The FCA head is a proponent of car industry consolidation, and previously rebuffed by General Motors, which is selling Opel/Vauxhall PSA Group.

According to Bloomberg, Marchionne had said: "I have no doubt that at the relevant time VW may show up and have a chat." He added the PSA-Opel merger "threatens VW most, creating a No. 2 on its heels".

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

"The industry is moving towards consolidation," Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault, said in a Bloomberg TV interview at the show. "You're going to see more and more players trying to gain in terms of scale. It's logical because of all the investments we need to face."

Meanwhile, Opel chief Karl-Thomas Neumann told Bloomberg the merge with PSA "offers many opportunities" to share costs such as vehicle development and purchasing, adding: "We know we've got a lot of work ahead of us."

"We focus on what we have to do to reach our strategic goals," Mueller told Bloomberg in Geneva.

Last word from Marchionne (to Bloomberg): "The GM door was never open for me. I knocked and no one answered. Would I knock again? Why not, or at any other door?"

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now