Elon Musk Meets With FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne And Shares Details

Sergio Marchionne wants to make a deal. Before the end of 2018, when he leaves FCA, he wants to better his organization. He has stated publicly he wants to collaborate with another organization. He was flatly denied in his attempt to meet with GM and there isn’t any evidence his meetings with Google or Apple showed any promise. However, he also met with Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla Motors. Unlike the others with whom Marchionne met, Musk talked to CNBC about what the interview was and was not.

Musk explained in the interview that the meeting didn’t have any conclusion, meaning their isn’t any official talk of a future merger or collaboration, however, Musk wouldn’t shut the door on that happening eventually. Speaking with Phil LeBeau on CNBC, Musk explained, “I can say that no, they haven’t asked us if they want to merge with Tesla. It was a great meeting…really enjoyable. It mostly had to do with potential cooperation in the future, but nothing to do with a merger or anything like that. I don’t want to characterize this as anything more than a pleasant meeting…and there’s a slight chance something may come of it in the future.”

Unlike the usual denials and “no comment” responses that some rumors get, Musk didn’t entirely dismiss the notion that FCA and Tesla Motors could collaborate in the future. If nothing else, Marchionne is clearly open about his willingness to change and improve his organization. Is it possible that his tenacity could pay off? Could FCA be the brand that could collaborate with Tesla in the future? Could Marchionne’s meeting mean the years down the road Tesla will turn first to FCA if they want to sell through a hybrid dealer and direct consumer sales model?

Nothing is confirmed at this point, however, one point that has been made is that Marchionne isn’t exactly being secretive about his movements.

We reported previously that Sanford Bernstein analyst Max Warburton told the Detroit Free Press, “If Marchionne wants a deal, he has no need to advertise it publicly. There are only a few people he needs to call directly. We assume he’s already called them. Then why is he now involving us and the media in the debate?”

What do you make of the addition of the media to Marchionne’s quest for a deal? Do Elon Musk’s comments strike you meaningful or just musings as this point? Do you think that FCA and Tesla Motors will eventually strike a deal and if so, what could that deal mean for the future of retail automotive?