Fiat Chrysler CEO Open To Tesla Model 3 Rival But Less Open To Small Mergers
Never short of a word, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne has stated his company can more than match it with Tesla at the entry-level if need be. Tesla’s first ‘people’s car’, the Model 3, was unveiled late la
Never short of a word, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne has stated his company can more than match it with Tesla at the entry-level if need be.
Tesla’s first ‘people’s car’, the Model 3, was unveiled late last month with a confirmed starting price of US$35,000.
Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, estimated however that the average price of a Model 3 to US customers would be around US$42,000 once popular options and configurations were added at purchase.
For his part, Marchionne is more than happy to take Tesla on and for FCA to develop and build a direct rival for the Model 3 - but only if the business case stacks up.
"I am not surprised by the high number of [Model 3] reservations," Marchionne said, speaking with Reuters. "But then the hard reality comes in... making cars, selling them and making money doing so."
"If [Musk] can show me that it can be done, I will do it as well, copy him, add Italian style to it and put it on the market within 12 months."
Yep, you read that right - Marchionne believes FCA could have a midsized electric sedan wearing an Italian badge in showrooms within 12 months.
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