Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Key Stats
- Founded: October 12, 2014 (merger of Fiat S.p.A. and Chrysler Group)
- Final Year Revenue (2020): €87 billion
- Employees at Peak: 189,512 worldwide
- Vehicle Brands: 10+ including Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Maserati
- Merged with PSA Group to form Stellantis on January 16, 2021
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (FCA) was an Italian-American multinational corporation formed through the merger of two automotive giants. The company maintained corporate headquarters in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with financial headquarters in London, United Kingdom.
FCA ranked among the top seven automakers globally during its existence. The group operated more than a dozen commercial automotive brands across four global markets. These included mass-market vehicles under Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, and Jeep alongside luxury offerings from Alfa Romeo and Maserati.
Exor, the Italian investment group controlled by the Agnelli family, held 29% ownership and 44% voting control through loyalty mechanisms. FCA traded on both the New York Stock Exchange and Milan’s Borsa Italiana throughout its operational years.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles History
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Co-founders
FCA emerged from two distinct automotive legacies spanning over a century. The Fiat side traces back to late 19th century Italian manufacturing ambitions, while Chrysler represents early 20th century American automotive innovation.
Giovanni Agnelli (Fiat)
Born August 13, 1866, in Villar Perosa, Italy. He co-founded Fiat in 1899 and served as managing director by 1900. Agnelli transformed Fiat into Italy’s largest automaker by 1910 and remained involved until his death in 1945.
Walter P. Chrysler (Chrysler)
Born April 2, 1875, in Wamego, Kansas. A former railroad mechanic who founded Chrysler Corporation on June 6, 1925. Named Time’s Man of the Year in 1928 after acquiring Dodge Brothers and establishing the company as a Big Three automaker.
Sergio Marchionne (FCA)
CEO who orchestrated the Fiat-Chrysler merger. He led Fiat from 2004 and guided Chrysler’s post-bankruptcy recovery. Marchionne served as FCA’s first CEO from 2014 until his passing in July 2018.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Revenue
FCA generated €87 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2020, its final full year before the Stellantis merger. North America contributed approximately 70% of global revenue that year.
The company experienced relatively stable revenue performance throughout its existence, with peak revenues reaching €110.9 billion in 2017. Jeep and Ram Trucks served as primary profit drivers, particularly in the North American market where SUV and truck demand remained strong.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Competitors
FCA competed directly with major global automakers across multiple vehicle segments. The company faced competition from both traditional manufacturers and emerging electric vehicle producers throughout its operational period.
In North America, FCA maintained rivalry with Ford Motor Company and General Motors as part of the Detroit Big Three. Globally, FCA competed against European manufacturers like Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz Group.
| Competitor | Headquarters | Primary Brands |
|---|---|---|
| General Motors | Detroit, USA | Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick |
| Ford Motor | Dearborn, USA | Ford, Lincoln |
| Toyota Motor | Toyota City, Japan | Toyota, Lexus |
| Volkswagen Group | Wolfsburg, Germany | VW, Audi, Porsche, SEAT |
| Honda Motor | Tokyo, Japan | Honda, Acura |
| Hyundai Motor | Seoul, South Korea | Hyundai, Kia, Genesis |
| Nissan Motor | Yokohama, Japan | Nissan, Infiniti |
| BMW Group | Munich, Germany | BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce |
| Mercedes-Benz | Stuttgart, Germany | Mercedes-Benz, Smart |
| Renault | Boulogne-Billancourt, France | Renault, Dacia, Alpine |
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Acquisitions
The formation of FCA itself represented the largest acquisition in the company’s history. Fiat’s gradual takeover of Chrysler began in 2009 and concluded in January 2014 with a $4.9 billion payment plus $5.5 billion in pension liability assumptions. This transaction united two storied automotive manufacturers under single ownership for the first time.
Chrysler’s acquisition history stretches back decades before the FCA merger. Walter Chrysler purchased Dodge Brothers in 1928 for $170 million, which gave Chrysler access to an established dealer network and manufacturing capabilities. The company also acquired American Motors Corporation in 1987, bringing the profitable Jeep brand into the fold.
FCA made strategic divestitures alongside acquisitions to streamline operations. The company sold Magneti Marelli, its auto-parts manufacturing division, to Japan-based Calsonic Kansei for €6.2 billion in early 2019. Ferrari was separated through a spin-off completed in January 2016, allowing the luxury sports car maker to operate independently while remaining connected to the Agnelli family through Exor.
Smaller acquisitions supported FCA’s global expansion strategy. Joint ventures in China with GAC Group established local Jeep production starting in 2015. The company also invested in manufacturing facilities across Italy, Brazil, Serbia, and other markets to serve regional demand efficiently.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Marketcap
FCA’s market capitalization fluctuated between approximately $13 billion and $22 billion during its years as a public company. The stock traded under ticker symbol FCAU on the New York Stock Exchange.
At the time of the Stellantis merger completion in January 2021, FCA shareholders received Stellantis shares in exchange for their holdings. The combined entity entered the market as the fourth-largest global automaker by volume.
FAQs
When was Fiat Chrysler Automobiles founded?
FCA was founded on October 12, 2014, through the merger of Italian automaker Fiat S.p.A. and American company Chrysler Group LLC into a single holding company.
What brands did FCA own?
FCA owned Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep, Lancia, Maserati, and Ram Trucks. Ferrari was spun off in 2016 as a separate company.
Why did FCA merge with PSA Group?
FCA merged with PSA Group to achieve greater scale, share development costs for electric vehicles, and improve competitiveness against larger global automakers in the evolving mobility industry.
What happened to FCA after the Stellantis merger?
FCA ceased to exist as a separate entity on January 16, 2021. All FCA brands and operations became part of Stellantis N.V., the new combined automotive company.
Who was the CEO of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles?
Sergio Marchionne served as CEO from FCA’s formation in 2014 until July 2018. Michael Manley succeeded him and led the company through the Stellantis merger completion.
