Will Hyundai buy Fiat Chrysler Automotive (FCA), Electric Subarus and Fiat 500L vs Honda Fit? [Ask Nathan]

mmusa indiana
Motor Mountain USA – Indiana
    • Will Hyundai buy Fiat Chrysler?
    • Will Subaru build an Electric Car?
    • Fiat 500L vs Honda Fit?

The first question comes from a fan who wants to know if it’s true… will Hyundai buy Fiat Chrysler Automobile (FCA)?

Q:Hi Guys, it is true that Hyundai will buy FCA?

Is this for real? If it is true, what’s going to happen to Jeep and Ram?1!? I have nothing against Hyundai, but this seems like a drastic idea. Hyundai is known for smart sensible engineering. As Nathan puts it, everything Italian is built for an emotional connection. They are two completely different philosophies with Hyundai appealing to the brain and Fiat battling for your soul. Also =, with all the instability in Korea, is it such a good idea to absorb a company that American consumers are so reliant on?

What’s your take?

Love your Ike Gauntlet and off road shows!
‘Schmitty

 

A: Hi Schmitty!

Normally, emails take time to post, but your email is rather timely. I just caught wind of this through our friends at Carscoops.com. I investigated this rumor and found out that – yes – there is some truth to the rumor.

My take? If this happens (and that’s a big “IF”), I think Hyundai would gradually make changes to allow the cash-cows of FCA (Jeep and Ram) to expand a bit while they get rid of models that are undesirable or competitive with their brands. I think they would kill off vehicles like the Fiat 500L, Chrysler 300C, Dodge Journey and more. They would plan to platform-share as well; perhaps something like a Chrysler sedan based on a Genesis platform?

There are lots of possibilities. The bottom line in my book is: this could be a good thing. It would make Hyundai the largest automaker on the planet, add to FCA’s financial stability and it would give Hyundai something its wanted for decades, a competitive pickup truck.

N

This next question comes from a viewer who is wondering if Subaru will build an electric car for our market.

2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid Front

Q: Can you guys tell me if Subaru intends to sell an electric car with AWD in the United States?

I work with UPS in Bozeman, Montana. I met you about a year ago at the airport gift shop when you were driving Camaros. You made me laugh when you said that Camaros aren’t the best cars for snow. At the time I had an old reliable Subaru Outback. It was a great car and I’m about to buy an almost new Subaru Forester.
That got me thinking about the future. I watched your Subaru Crosstrek hybrid video and I just found out that the hybrid was discontinued because of poor sales. I kind of wanted that car because the idea of a hybrid or electric car is very appealing to me. My dad, who hates Subaru, called it a failure. Do you think Subaru will build an electric car or a new hybrid for our market?
You guys crack me up all the time and I love the information you provide. I wish I could be a sponsor for your work, but I’m a crazy cat lady with six kitties to feed and a mortgage to pay!

Love you guys and I hope to see you guys in person again one day!

Bye for now!
Rebecca C

A: Hi Rebecca!

It was great meeting you! I remember you helped me choose between two gifts for my little ones.

Great question about Subaru going electric. Our friends at Green Car Reports caught wind of Subaru’s future electrification from Bloomberg: “In an interview published Sunday by Bloomberg, the company’s CEO Yasuyuki Yoshinaga said that it plans to make all-electric versions of existing models rather than develop new vehicle lines for the new powertrains.”

I think the Subaru Crosstrek XV Hybrid was more of a proof-of-concept over being an outright failure. They proved that they could build one, now they need to focus on a few elements: how to build a competitive, safe, capable AWD electric car and – add to that – how to make it affordable.

North America is one of their largest, most successful markets. I think it’s a good bet we’ll get fairly affordable electrified vehicles from Subaru within the next two to three years.

Cheers!

N

 

The last question comes from a fan who is helping his girlfriend choose between a Fiat 500L and a Honda Fit.

Fiat 500L Trekking

Q:Hi Nathan, can you help a brother out?

My girlfriend is about to buy a new car and is looking at a 2017 Fiat 500L and a 2016 Honda Fit. I told her not to get the Fiat, but she likes its funky design. I hate it. Can you help me out and post this on Ask Nathan so I can show her?

Thanks brother and go STEELERS!

Marvin in the Steel City!

A: Hi Marvin!

You got my attention, not only with the “go STEELERS!” part, but with the fact that the Honda Fit is still one of my favorite cars in its class. The hard part of any car-buying experience is to disconnect the heart from the brain. In other words, she may love the funkiness of the Fiat 500L, which is understandable, but it doesn’t match the logic of the Honda Fit.

The Honda Fit is:

  • The most utilitarian car in its class
  • Very reliable
  • Extremely economical
  • Did well on safety scores
  • Fun to drive – especially with the manual transmission
  • Will have a high resale value

Sadly, the Fiat 500L will be none of the aforementioned.

Message to Marvin’s girlfriend: “Hi there!  You got a great guy who’s not only looking to have someone back him up so he can say, ‘Told you so!’ – but he cares about you too. He wants you to drive the better (by far) of the two cars you’re choosing from. I gain nothing (I’m not a salesman)  by saying the Honda Fit is not only the best choice among these two vehicles; it’s the best choice in its class.”

Best of luck you two!

N

Check out this fun video!

Nathan and The Fast Lane Car team are here to answer your (reasonable) questions. Interesting and/or entertaining emails will be posted to this column. If it’s relevant in the automotive universe, there’s a chance we may know something about it. The author’s email address and name will be omitted – leaving your initials or nickname, your preference.

From day one, The Fast Lane Car has made it our policy to answer as many questions and comments as we can. We get thousands of emails and comments and feel that, as part of a tight-knit automotive community, having an open dialogue with you keeps things fresh and exciting.

Got a question for Nathan? Drop him a line at: asknathan@tflcar.com.