While most of its competitors are busy tightening their pockets and trying to save as much money as they can, Fiat is taking the opposite approach and has been on a recent spending spree. After purchasing Chrysler last month, the Italian-based automakers have also thrown their name on the hat as potential buyers of GM’s European and Latin American divisions, which, incidentally includes Opel and Vauxhall.
If that wasn’t enough, Fiat also offered a non-binding bid to purchase the legendary Italian coachbuilder Carrozzeria Bertone. Fiat, however has a number of competitors in pursuit of the Italy’s oldest coachbuilder brand, including Domenico Reviglio - head of Gruppo Prototipo, Lancia CEO Gianmario Rossignolo, Chinese automaker FAW and an additional unspecified Spanish concern.
The specifics behind Kia’s attempt at purchasing Bertone are still being kept under wraps. However, word has leaked that the Italian auto-giants are interested in a specific division – the Carrozzeria Bertone SpA - of the Gruppo Bertone corporation.
Bertone has been relatively quiet for a while now, but if Kia does indeed win the race to purchase the Italian coachbuilder, then we might as well expect to see this legendary brand return to the streets.