Paris (AFP)

The discussions between Fiat Chrysler and PSA follow a series of successful or failed reconciliations of the history of the European car industry over the last 20 years, where Fiat, Chrysler and PSA have already played a role.

- Fiat-Renault, an aborted marriage -

Announced with fanfare in May 2019, a project of marriage of Fiat-Chrysler with Renault, the French number one of the automobile, abruptly aborted a month later.

The Italian-American group throws in the towel for lack of commitment from the French, curbed by the state shareholder.

The mega-merger was to create the number 3 world car or even the number 1, largely ahead of rivals Toyota and Volkswagen, also aggregating the sales of Japanese partners Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi.

- Renault-Nissan, an old alliance shaken -

In 1999, the French Renault made a double blow by acquiring 36.8% of Japanese Nissan's capital on the brink of bankruptcy, and then getting its hands on the Romanian brand Dacia.

The Japanese manufacturer is straightened under the leadership of Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn, who took the lead in 2005. Dacia stands out as a benchmark in the low cost segment.

In 2017, Renault owns 43% of Nissan, which owns 15% of the French group. The alliance is enriched by Mitsubishi. In 2018, Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is the leader in the global automotive market.

But the Renault-Nissan relationship is strongly shaken by the eviction of Carlos Ghosn, continued in Japan for alleged multiple malpractices.

Nissan chief executive Hiroto Saikawa, who was caught up in a scandal, resigned in September 2019, when Japanese automaker sales are at their worst.

- PSA buys Opel -

In 2017, PSA completes the acquisition of Opel and Vauxhall, European subsidiaries of the American manufacturer General Motors, an operation that gives birth to the second largest European player in the automotive sector.

Opel, once again profitable in 2018 after long years of losses, accelerates its international expansion in 2019, aiming for sales growth on the Russian market.

In September 2019, Michael Lohscheller, Opel's General Manager since 2017, joined the PSA Group's Executive Board.

- Fiat, two American adventures -

At the end of the 90s, the Italian Fiat group, controlled by the Agnelli family, goes badly and seeks an ally. The alliance is sealed early 2000 with General Motors, which takes 20% of the auto branch.

But the number one American fears to be forced to buy all of Fiat automobiles, the health still precarious, and prefers to end the union in 2005, by paying 1.55 billion euros to Fiat.

Reversal of roles in 2009: Fiat is much better and, through Barack Obama, gets his hands on Chrysler, then in poor shape.

In 2014 it is announced that Fiat, which previously held 58.5% of Chrysler, rises to 100% stake, for 4.35 billion dollars. The group is renamed "Fiat Chrysler Automobiles" (FCA).

- DaimlerChrysler, the story of a failure -

Symbol of German know-how with its Mercedes brand, the Daimler-Benz group is getting married with great fanfare in 1998 with the US mid-size automaker Chrysler, which is losing steam.

The merger is announced as equals, but the German group brings in $ 36 billion dowry and takes the reins of the team.

In 2005, the German initiator of the merger, Jürgen Schrempp, left the group. His successor Dieter Zetsche is pronounced in February 2007 for a divorce, recorded three months later: 80.1% of Chrysler are sold to the US investment fund Cerberus for 5.5 billion euros. In October, the band definitely turns the page of its American adventure by becoming Daimler again.

- Volvo, from hand to hand -

A flagship of the Swedish automobile industry, the auto branch of the Volvo Group was bought for $ 6.45 billion in 1999 by the most profitable automotive company of the time, the American Ford.

But, a few years later, Japanese competition, soaring oil prices and soaring steel prices combine against the giant founded in 1903 by Henry Ford.

Decision is made in December 2008 to divest the Swedish mark. This will be done in 2010 to Chinese group Geely for $ 1.8 billion, four times less than the purchase price. Volvo Cars then spectacularly rectifies its accounts and its brand image.

© 2019 AFP