Bob McCarty Writes

The recently-announced partnership between Chrysler and Fiat appears heavy on symbolism and light on substance, the epitome of President Barack Obama’s hope-and-change politics.

Among automobile aficionados, FIAT is an acronym for “Fix It Again, Tony!” Why?  Because, according to a report in The New York Times Deal Book blog, they had stylish exteriors and responsive handling, but Fiats were notoriously unreliable when they were last marketed in the United States more than 25 years ago.

That observation, which I believe is shared by many, causes me wonder whether the partnership between the now-bankrupt Detroit automaker and its Italian counterpart will yield the kind of corporate fruit that can fuel a turnaround.  According to a CNN Money post, Chrysler doesn’t get much in return from the deal. Fiat will contribute a license to use all of its intellectual property and “know how” in exchange for 20% of the equity of the reorganized Chrysler.