News out today that Fiat has obtained a 35% interest in Chrysler.   They have an option to increase their stake to 55% although those terms weren’t disclosed.

Anyone buying a 35% in a rapidly failing company in a flailing industry is news.   Obtaining a 35% interest in a company while providing no cash remarkable.   Why would Chrysler give up 35% of what admittedly is a company that has nearly zero worth, for an agreement that brought no cash?

According to the published reports, the marriage makes sense for both companies.   Fiat has wanted to reenter the US market.   Via Chrysler, they have access to a dealer network and a lot of unused production capacity.   Chrysler is supposed to get access to Fiats design work which is supposed to be particularly good in mid and compact cars.   While the arguments for the combination make some sense, I saw a nearly throw away comment in the article that caught my eye:

“However,” he warned, “the deal does not provide Chrysler with any new liquidity commitments from Fiat, which could reflect a desire by Fiat to protect its investment under future downside scenarios for Chrysler.”

This is another lesson in the unintended consequences of government activity.

I have no doubt that both parties see benefits in their arrangement.       However, it’s clear from the statement in the article that the only real reason this relationship exists is because the government has provided $4 billion with the promise of much more to come.     That last bit is why Chrysler is willing to give away 35% of itself for little more than nothing.

Chrysler must present a plan to the Auto Czar by May 1st.   This plan needs to show how they will satisfy the shrill calls for greater fuel efficiency and make a profit.    How credible the plan is will weigh on the Czar’s decision not only to advance more funds, but  whether the already advanced $4 billion should be yanked backed.     Chrysler has ranked near the bottom of fleet fuel efficiency and have no magic beans to quickly grow something saleable in the efficiency market.   Additionally, Chrysler is sitting on a ton of excess capacity.   Capacity/overhead costs, that  will be a substantial drain on their ability to show profitability in any reasonable time.   Fiat provides answer to both of those questions.  

It’s pretty clear that Fiat has no interest in supporting Chrysler if they get no additional government funding.   If the government cuts Chrysler off, Fiat will just rip up their otherwise worthless contracts and look for another alternative, maybe even pick up some of the bankrupted assets on the cheap.

While you’ll hear lots of reports in the papers and even during follow up hearings, as the automakers beg for more money, about how much Fiat ♥ Chrysler, don’t be fooled.   There wouldn’t and won’t be any marriage if the government is holding a shotgun paid for by taxpayers money!

Update 1/21 – Dad29 pointed out that reports out this morning are saying that Fiat only   ♥ Chrysler if Chrysler brings an additiona $3 billion dowery.   Being right so often is a burden I gladly bear for NRE’s readers :)

As reported by the Agency who shall not be named and others, Hamas supporters spent the day celebrating the fact that even though they suffered numerous casualties and destruction, they weren’t wiped off the face of the earth.

I’m wondering if we should be taking notes.

The Hill.com is reporting today that a “stimulus bill” of $1 trillion is not even enough for some Democrats:

"Some of us are saying we need a stimulus of 1.2 or 1.3 or 1.4 trillion to prevent a depression, rather than just slow our descent into a depression," said Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.).

Hamas is partying after losing and suffering economic damage of a paltry $2 billion.   Think of how big our party will be after Congress flushes $4 trillion ($2 trillion Treasury won’t tell what they spent it on, $700 Billion TARP and the stimulus plan), and have nothing more to show for it than “We aren’t dead yet!”  

Now that I think of it, wouldn’t we all have a lot more fun and probably stimulate the economy just as much,  if instead of waiting until the $4 trillion is spent, we take it and put it all towards a party now?

The New York Times is reporting that President elect Barack Obama may have found a way to get   the remaining $350 billion of TARP money…he’s going to promise to use it properly.   Already Republicans are starting to cave:

South Dakota Republican Sen. John Thune  said a public statement might be helpful in easing the concerns of some Republicans and South Carolina Republican Sen. Jim DeMint said he believed such a statement would be made by Obama’s team.

As of this point, no one can tell us how the first $350 billion was used.   No one can tell us what benefit it provided.   Further, Treasury is still fighting lawsuits to release information on  how they used $2 trillion.   Finally, we’ve got Obama continuing to negotiate an increasing stimulus package, now reported to be $850 billion, with no real detail but cries of “it’s not big enough.”

With what we’ve seen on how all of the various “bailouts” have been handled to date, we’re now supposed to believe that an “assurance” from Obama will  cause transparency and integrity to shoot forth from this next tranche?

It’s  more and more obvious  that some of the Senate Republicans are out of touch with the world outside of the beltway.   If they were paying attention they would know that all of Obama’s commitments have all been determined to have an expiration date  on them.   It seems that the day from statement to expiration is decreasing along with the days to Obama’s inauguration.

While the Senate Republicans may get bamboozled by:

reassurances the money would be focused on trying to fix the financial industry crisis that has also left millions of families experiencing home foreclosures,

you’ll pardon me if I don’t hold my breath to see it happen, even if it’s only for just five more days!