The spat between Marchionne and Piech

The news is reported by Automotive News Europe that talking about the spat between the Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne and Chairman Ferdinand Piech of Volkswagen calls it "a war of words." It all started in Detroit when Marchionne had spoken of an interest in Fiat for the acquisition of VW shares that it holds in MAN and Scania, manufacturers of trucks and industrial vehicles, a task that would have strengthened Iveco operates in the same area.

A Marchionne was asked whether his statement was serious and the response of the AD Lingotto has been very clear "is a joke as the attempt to acquire Alfa Romeo Piech." At this point, Piech could not shut up and replied, statement taken from the Financial Times Deutschland, Fiat, whose sales are certainly not prosperous, it should not even think to steal the most prestigious brands in Europe for commercial vehicles.

The battle is open between the two leaders are very confident on prospects companies which are in charge. Marchionne believes in the possibility of increasing the productivity of Fiat and recovery of Chrysler, for its part Piech sees that Volkswagen continues to increase sales and sees his dream closer to the Volkswagen Group's largest car manufacturer in the world.

The two have never spoken in person but the issue could be revisited, coma, said Marchionne, within the next twelve months, maybe over coffee,

• AUTOSHOW-Volkswagen patriarch waits to pounce on Alfa Romeo (29/09/2010)
• Fiat Eyes VW's MAN, Scania Stakes as VW Repeats Alfa Interest (11/01/2011)
• Marchionne: hybrid Chrysler 300 next year, hybrid minivan in 2013 (18/01/2011)
• Report: Ferdinand Piech finalizes will that protects his VW/Porsche shares from the kids (21/09/2010)
• Marchionne: Chrysler planning hybrid minivan for 2013 (19/01/2011)