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Hyundai reportedly eyeing a takeover of FCA

The CEO of Hyundai Motor Group plans to launch a takeover bid for Fiat Chrysler ahead of the planned retirement of FCA Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne next spring, Asia Times reports, citing unnamed sources close the situation. CEO Chung Mong-koo will wait for an expected decline in the Italian-American automaker's shares to make his move. Hyundai isn't commenting on the rumors, unsurprisingly, but would presumably stand to benefit by gaining Chrysler's dealer network and the lucrative Jeep brand and probably Ram, too. An FCA spokeswoman in Auburn Hills told Autoblog the company had no comment. But like any story about a possible takeover, this one gets complicated with inside players — and President Trump's posturing on international trade issues. FCA has been the subject of takeover interest before, including by Hyundai, but Marchionne has denied a merger was likely, instead saying his company was in talks with the Korean automaker about a technical partnership. In 2015, Marchionne lobbied General Motors hard, but unsuccessfully, for a tie-up; he was also spurned by Volkswagen. Marchionne had repeatedly stressed the need for car companies to merge to decrease overcapacity and better afford the massive investments needed for things like autonomous and electric vehicles. In the case of Hyundai's reported interest, there is a cast of characters. One is Paul Singer, principal of the hedge fund Elliott Management, an activist shareholder with a $1 billion stake in Hyundai and a major owner of equities in Fiat's home turf of Italy. Then there is FCA Chairman John Elkann, who reportedly disagrees with Marchionne on a successor as CEO of Fiat Chrysler but has little interest in running the company himself and would prefer a merger. Compounding things is what the Trump administration would think of a further blending of Fiat Chrysler's international DNA, though a deal with a Korean automaker is thought to be more palatable to the president and members of Congress than by a Chinese conglomerate like Great Wall Motor, which has confirmed its interest in taking over all or parts of FCA. The full Asia Times piece is here. Related Video: News Source: Asia TimesImage Credit: REUTERS/Rebecca Cook Chrysler Fiat Hyundai Jeep RAM Sergio Marchionne FCA merger takeover

Here's the 370-mile range fuel-cell car from Hyundai

Hyundai unveils the Nexo, their next in line fuel-cell vehicle. Capable of delivering 370 miles of range. Hyundai Hydrogen Cars Autoblog Minute Videos Original Video

Hyundai recalls 2015 and 2016 Sonatas for flying sunroof panels

The Basics: Hyundai is recalling 2015-2016 Hyundai Sonatas and Sonata Hybrids for panoramic sunroofs that could detach while driving. The recall covers a total of 62,811 cars including Sonata Hybrids built from December 8, 2014 to August 18, 2015 and normal Sonatas built from May 28, 2014 to March 18, 2016. The recall only affects cars with panoramic sunroofs. The Problem: Sonatas equipped with the panoramic sunroof have a wind deflector at the front. The anchor that holds the deflector in place is bonded and that bonding can fail. This can lead to the deflector partially detaching, which can interfere with the glass of the sunroof when closing. This interference can result in the glass detaching entirely from the car. Warning signs of this issue are increased noise with the roof open or a sunroof that doesn't fully close. Injuries/Deaths: Hyundai received a complaint of a sunroof detaching, which prompted an internal investigation and this voluntary recall, but no injuries or deaths have been reported. The Fix: Owners of affected cars can bring them to a Hyundai dealer where the vehicle will have new bonding applied to the wind deflector anchor. The repair will be made at no cost to the owner. If you own one: Owners will be notified by Hyundai by mail starting on December 2, and they can also contact Hyundai's customer service to ask about the recall at 1-800-633-5151. Owners can also check their vehicles for recalls by entering their VINs at safercar.gov. Needless to say, don't force the sunroof closed if something doesn't seem right whether you've gotten the notice or not. Better safe than sorry. Related Video: