That was very, very quick. RIP. May the Scuderia be with you.
Same news this morning in the business papers in France: https://www.challenges.fr/automobile/actu-auto/sergio-marchionne-l-ancien-patron-emblematique-de-fiat-chrysler-est-mort-a-66-ans_603394 Rgds
RIP My first Italian car was a FIAT X1/9, so I'm very happy he got FIAT back into the US market. I hope the FUV freaks everybody out and becomes a nice legacy for him.
Such sad and unexpected news. I recall him on tv recently at F1 events looking all sprightly and fully engaged in the show. Whether loved or loathed, he has gone too soon. May he rest in peace.
Here is what Automotive News says about his illness. He did a great job at the Scuderia, and put the right people in place. http://www.autonews.com/article/20180724/VIDEO/307249973/autonews-now-marchionne-suffered-embolism-in-cancer-surgery-report?cciid=email-autonews-annow
Not so long ago, one could only read criticism addressed to Marchionne on this forum. He was accused of putting Ferrari in peril, of thinking about withdrawing from F1, etc... His intention of increasing production numbers at Maranello came Under fire, etc... Now, I see only praise and regrets at his passing. He is mourned by some like one of their family members. Is it a sudden change of heart or pure hypocrisy?
Or is it simply a mark of respect, not to speak ill of the dead? The fact is, under Marchionne's leadership, both FIAT and Chrysler have been turned around from the brink of financial disaster, the F1 team are genuinely title contenders once more, and the futures of Ferrari, Maserati and Alfa Romeo are all looking brighter than they have done for a long time. Perhaps there is now a belated begrudging realisation that Marchionne has actually been good for Ferrari?
Latest Automotive News video on Marchionne's life. http://www.autonews.com/article/20180725/VIDEO/307259994/first-shift-remembering-the-life-of-sergio-marchionne?cciid=email-autonews-firstshift
Very sad news. I will say I did not like the man, but from a business standpoint he saved both FIAT and Chrysler. He also put Alfa back on the map with some nice products and until a few years ago had Maserati shooting for the moon. He did from a business standpoint also help Ferrari, but the companies image has been hurt as they are no longer that exclusive, just expensive. That was a path headed on before Marchione showed up and put himself in charge. Ferrari SUV's and all electric automobiles and high production volume does not sound like it respects Ferrari's heritage at all. What's next, a Ferrari pickup truck?
Like him or not, he turned the ship around on all fronts, and has really put Alfa back on the road to recovery....respect and RIP.
+1, LdM increased the production to more than 7000/year (starting with about 2000/year I guess); going from 7000 to 10000+ is continuing the trend (amazingly, it may even be slowing it down). A company needs development anyway, stagnation rarely allows survival.
Sad and surprising. In the end, neither tobacco or his stressful life seem to be the direct cause of his death. Hope that his succesors can keep the flame alive, as there is still alot of work to do at Fiat and Chrysler.
Folks are so passionate about Ferrari that they often intensely criticize the sitting President for every decision they don't understand or oppose. They expect nothing less than glamorous success and the more mundane business decisions, even if they are needed to keep the lights on, aren't exciting for spectators. It's not until the President departs the job that you tend to get a more balanced view of their tenure. There are things to like and dislike about everyone who has stepped up to the job, and I'm sure Sergio's successor will be no different. All the best, Andrew.
