Fiat’s CEO reportedly said on Friday that the Italian group and General Motors can still settle their dispute over Fiat’s option to sell its car arm to GM without going to court.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more


“I’m hopeful that both organisations will do the best thing,” Sergio Marchionne told Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum at the Swiss resort of Davos.


“There is in my view potential for a resolution of the issue. And I think we need to let the process go on and explore those options and see where it stabilises,” he reportedly added.


The news agency noted that Fiat and GM are in a mediation phase of their dispute over the validity of the option which took effect on Janiary 24, but Fiat said on that date it would not exercise it until February 2 the day after the end of the mediation phase, at the earliest.


The chief executive told Reuters in an interview that the “the put is an incredible asset, and it cannot be bargained away for nothing”, but that all options to resolve the dispute remained on the table.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

“One, which is the ultimate draconian resolution, is the delivery of the assets to GM,” Marchionne told the news agency. “At the other end of the spectrum is a [validation] of the put at a level that satisfies Fiat’s assessment of the value of that put and at the same time rebalances the industrial alliances.” he added.


But without an agreement, the issue would have to be resolved in court, the Fiat CEO told Reuters.


GM reportedly argues that restructuring moves at Fiat Auto, which halved its stake in the unit to 10%, ran against a deal signed in 2000 and invalidated the put. Fiat disagrees.