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Marchionne now considering 'Plan B' partners for FCA merger

Okay Sergio, just stop. With the sting of rejection from General Motors CEO Mary Barra still fresh, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne is moving on and trying to find another automaker to merge with. FCA may not be giving up hope on a merger with GM, but that doesn't mean it isn't at least considering alternatives. Sergio's so-called "Plan Bs" include the Volkswagen Group, as well as smaller Asian outfits, like Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Hyundai. Bloomberg reports that France's beleaguered PSA Peugeot Citroen could as a sort of "fallback" option due to its relative lack of volume, an unidentified source claimed. There are, of course, problems with each option. According to Bloomberg, Volkswagen expects complete control of a company, but the Agnelli family, which holds a large portion of FCA stock, is loathe to relinquish its stake in the company. On top of that, VAG just isn't looking to make a deal right now. Mazda, meanwhile, is enjoying a new partnership with Toyota and Suzuki is partially owned by VW. Honda and Hyundai have never expressed any interest in a partnership with a western automaker. That kind of just leaves the French then, but even that remains a long shot. As Bloomberg tells it, PSA boss Carlos Tavares is still working on a turn-around plan, and would want at least another six months to execute before even considering a deal with FCA. And even then, Tavares hasn't given any indication that he's considering a pairing. News Source: BloombergImage Credit: Paul Sancya / AP Chrysler Fiat GM Honda Hyundai Mazda Suzuki Citroen Peugeot Sergio Marchionne FCA Mary Barra psa peugeot citroen

Rumored Mazda CX-3 may not be for US

Mazda has used its Kodo design language to make some of the most attractive, affordable cars in the world right now, with the Mazda3, Mazda6 and CX-5 (pictured above), but it still lacks a crossover in the smaller class, which are becoming popular on the world market. It seems like a natural fit then, that the Japanese company would shrink its CUV design even smaller for a CX-3 to fill the gap. However, a rumor suggests that the compact might not make it to these shores.
The Mazda2-based crossover is due later this summer in Japan and is launching in Europe and emerging markets later, according to Automotive News citing a report in Japan's Nikkei newspaper. The little CUV would cost between 1.5 million yen and 2.0 million yen ($14,700-$19,500) in Japan and be available with diesel and petrol engine options. However, the report made no mention of selling it in North America. There is a glimmer of a chance for the CX-3 here. Mazda is upgrading its Mexican factory to 230,000 annual unit capacity by 2016, which gives it the room to add the new vehicle.
While the midsize CUVs are hugely popular in the US, compacts like the Buick Encore are still a small portion of things. If Mazda could time the CX-3's launch right here, it could take advantage of the lack of competition.

Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo reshapes a winning form [w/video]

In the history of endurance racing, there's only ever been one Japanese automaker to win the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, and as you might have guessed, that was Mazda in 1991 with the 787B – which was, incidentally, the only one ever to win the race under rotary power, or really anything other than a conventional piston engine. That racing success is something Mazda can be proud about, even over two decades later, and it's a badge of honor the automaker is revisiting with the LM55 prototype you see here. Only instead of unleashing it on the Circuit de la Sarthe – or really any actual race track – the Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo is bound only for PlayStation. The latest addition to the Vision Gran Turismo lineup, the LM55 takes inspiration from the aforementioned 787B but gives it a modern KODO design theme. The result is pretty stunning, taking a more radical approach than the Skyactiv Prototype the company is fielding in the United SportsCar Championship or even the dearly departed, head-turning Furai concept. But unlike that diesel prototype and the Wankel-powered 787B, Mazda hasn't specified any kind of novel powertrain for the LM55, fictitious or otherwise - saying only that it has "advanced drive train technology that offers the epitome of power, efficiency and durability and the result is an exceptional power to weight ratio exceeding that of most cars in its class." Just what that class would be we'll likely never find out, but if you don't have a PS3 loaded with GT6 (or, for that matter, even if you do), you can scope out the virtual action in the slideshow above and the rather Christmas-y video below. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Featured Gallery Mazda LM55 Vision Gran Turismo View 23 Photos News Source: Polyphony Digital Toys/Games Mazda Concept Cars Racing Vehicles Videos Gran Turismo gt6 vision gran turismo