HQ comment has Tennessee buzzing
Its governor wants to lure Fiat-Chrysler offices; Marchionne humors him at plant dedication
By Brent Snavely Detroit Free Press Business Writer
Sometimes an offhand comment can spin out of control.
On Sunday, Chrysler and Fiat Chairman Sergio Marchionne, who was on hand to dedicate a new Magneti Marelli parts plant in Pulaski, Tenn., was asked where the headquarters of a fully merged Fiat and Chrysler will be located. Fiat owns Magneti Marelli.
“Where would you like it to be?” Marchionne responded, in characteristic fashion for the mercurial executive, who is known for his negotiating skills.
“I have a vote on that one,” Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam said as he chimed in. “I’ll vote right here.”
The exchange spawned headlines Monday such as: “Tennessee officials hope to lure Fiat-Chrysler to state.”
A more accurate headline came from National Public Radio: “Tennessee sends economic development A-team to welcome Fiat CEO.”
Marchionne, Haslam and other Tennessee politicians met privately Sunday before an event to celebrate a $54-million investment into Magneti Marelli’s plant that makes headlamps and rear lights for cars.
The 90-worker plant is expected to employ 850 within four years because Fiat and Chrysler are essentially in-sourcing their lighting.
Marchionne has been working to merge the two automakers. Fiat currently owns 58.5% of Chrysler and wants to acquire the remaining 41.5% from the UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust.
“We’re working on this issue,” Marchionne said Sunday. “When I have something to announce, I’ll let you know. Things are progressing.”
Tennessee, which convinced Nissan to relocate its North American headquarters from California to Nashville in 2008, has been aggressive in courting corporate headquarters, and it has been a significant player for automotive manufacturers since Nissan built its plant in Smyrna nearly 30 years ago.
But is Tennessee actually vying for the headquarters of Fiat and Chrysler?
At 5.3 million square feet, the Chrysler’s headquarters in Auburn Hills is the second-largest building in the U.S. by floor space, according to the company’s media website.
Located on a 504-acre site in Auburn Hills, the headquarters includes a15-story tower that opened in 1996 and a state-of-the-art technology center that opened in 1991.
Pulaski, Tenn., located about 75 miles south of Nashville, has a population of about 8,000.
“We don’t comment on economic development projects that haven’t been announced,” Haslam spokesman David Smith said Monday.
Contact Brent Snavely: 313-222-6512 or bsnavely@freepress.com
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.