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Chrysler 200 configurator already online

A preliminary configurator for the 2015 Chrysler 200 is already up and greeting Internet visitors. The totally re-envisioned sedan that we got to know in our Deep Dive starts with an LX base trim for $22,695, which comes out to an MSRP of $21,700 plus $995 for destination. That number will get you entry to a party that comes with keyless entry, ambient LED lighting inside, a five-inch Uconnect touschcreen system with Bluetooth, a six-speaker stereo, eight-way power driver's seat, safety features like brake assist and an electronic parking brake and eighteen-inch wheels on all-season tires.
The features list isn't yet broken down by model, but including destination, the other three trims retail for $24,250 for the Limited, $25,990 for the S and $26,990 for the C. All-wheel drive adds $4,200 on the S and the C.
You can build an LX pretty quickly because there aren't many options. There are two interior choices, black or black/linen, five exterior color options, and just two choices after that: you can opt for the $495 five-inch Uconnect system that adds features like voice command and a rearview mirror with a microphone, and an engine block heater for $95.

Chrysler stays IPO until 2014

There will not be a Chrysler IPO in 2013. Fiat, according to a report from Forbes, has announced that it will not be able to make the American brand's initial public offering before the end of the year, saying that the short, five-week window that makes up the rest of 2013 is "not practicable."
Not surprisingly, the issue with the Chrysler IPO is the same as it's always been - a disagreement between parent company Fiat, which owns 58.5 percent of the Chrysler Group and a UAW healthcare trust, which owns 41.5 percent. Fiat wants to buy out the UAW VEBA healthcare trust, which is responsible for shouldering retiree healthcare costs, but the two sides are hung up on an actual price tag for the remaining two-fifths of the company.
The original idea saw an IPO as a way of setting a fair market price for the remaining shares, although it's not entirely clear what broke down and led to a delay of the IPO plan. As Forbes points out, by waiting until 2014, Chrysler could be risking a cool-off in the IPO market, which could mean less money in its pocket when the automaker finally goes public.

Marchionne's FCA-GM merger might come after Ferrari spinoff

Sergio Marchionne is continuing to rumble about working out a merger with General Motors, but don't expect anything big to happen before at least early next year. That's because Marchionne would likely wait for the Ferrari spin-off to be complete before beginning his next big deal, according to Automotive News. While the Ferrari IPO on the New York Stock Exchange is expected in the coming weeks, that only concerns 10 percent of the shares. The remaining 80 percent of stock is being distributed among shareholders in 2016. Piero Ferrari holds the final 10 percent with no intention to sell. This strategy allows FCA to claim 80 percent of the Prancing Horse's profits in the automaker's 2015 financial results. According to Automotive News, the tactic has other advantages, as well. FCA would be flush with cash by waiting for the spin-off to be complete, and it would keep Ferrari separate if a GM merger actually happens. Marchionne thinks Ferrari could be valued at over $11 billion in the IPO, and it could make FCA $3.3 billion richer when complete. Marchionne believes a combined FCA/GM could sell 17 million vehicles a year globally and rake in $30 billion in earnings. In the CEO's opinion, the two automakers are wasting money by developing components to do the same things on their vehicles. Although, so far the General's top execs are rebuffing all of his advances.