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Marchionne says no offers are on the table for Fiat Chrysler

MONZA, Italy (Reuters) - Fiat Chrysler (FCA) has not received any offer for the company nor is the world's seventh-largest carmaker working on any "big deal", Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said on Saturday. Speaking on the sidelines of the Italian Formula One Grand Prix, Marchionne said the focus remained on executing the company's business plan to 2018. Asked whether FCA had been approached by someone or whether there was an offer on the table, he simply said: "No." The company's share price jumped to record highs last month after reports of interest for the group or some of its brands from China. China's Great Wall Motor Co Ltd openly said it was interested in FCA, but had not held talks or signed a deal with executives at the Italian-American automaker. The stock move was also helped by expectations that the company might separate from some of its units. Marchionne reiterated on Saturday that FCA was working on a plan to "purify" its portfolio and that units, such as the components businesses, would be separated from the group. He hopes to complete that process by the end of 2018. "There are activities within the group that do not belong to a car manufacturer, for example the components businesses. The group needs to be cleared of those things," he told journalists. Asked whether an announcement could come this year, Marchionne said it was up to the board to decide and that it would next meet at the end of September. He said the time was not right for a spin-off of luxury brand Maserati and premium Alfa Romeo and the two brands needed to become self-sustainable entities first and "have the muscle to stand on their feet, make sufficient cash". "The way we see it now, it's almost impossible, if not impossible, to see a spin-off of Alfa Romeo/Maserati, these are two entities that are immature and in a development phase," he said. "It's the wrong moment, we are not in a condition to do it." He said the concept of separating the two brands from FCA's mass market business made sense and did not rule out this happening in future, but not under his tenure, which lasts until April 2019. "If there is an opportunity in future, it would certainly happen after I'm gone. It won't happen while Marchionne is around," he said.

Ward's releases 10 Best Interiors list for 2014

While we're still a ways off from the automotive awards season proper, where things like North American Car and Truck of the Year, Motor Trend's Car of the Year and Car and Driver's Ten Best are named, that doesn't mean there aren't trophies being handed out to deserving automakers. Ward's 10 Best Interiors being one of them.
As the name might imply, the magazine focuses on the very best interior treatments in the US market. Whereas some awards purposely exclude extreme, high-dollar offerings, Ward's considers them - the only requirement is that a vehicle has a "new or significantly redesigned interior."
Ward's offered up the list of winners in simple, alphabetical order, and it only seems fair to do the same:

2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice is a Superhero special [w/video]

The Jeep Renegade doesn't fit the usual image for the Batmobile, but it seems Bruce Wayne is willing to use what's around in a pinch. Thanks to the compact crossover's appearance for a scene in the upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice movie, a new version now offers customers a blacked-out CUV that looks tailor made for the Dark Knight. Buyers can order the Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition in an exclusive shade called Carbon Black or a lighter Granite Crystal with a gloss black roof. To continue the dark look, Jeep fits shiny black trim and 18-inch wheels in the same color, and there's an emblem that blends Superman and Batman's logos. The shadowy appearance continues inside on the cloth seats and gloss trim, but metal diamond accents on the gearshift and door handles offer some contrast. The company bases the Dawn of Justice edition on the Latitude 4x4 trim with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder and nine-speed automatic. It comes standard with the Popular Equipment Group, which combines remote start, a power driver's seat, and dual-zone climate control. The Dawn of Justice Special Edition retails for $27,245 (after $995 destination) and is available now. Company spokesperson Todd Goyer tells Autoblog that Jeep expects production to be in the "low thousands." You can watch Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne speeding around in a Renegade below in the ad for this superhero-themed version. The film hits theaters on March 25. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related Video: FCA US LAUNCHES ONE-OF-A-KIND CO-BRANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH WARNER BROS. PICTURES' BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Jeep® and Dodge brands debut marketing campaigns as part of promotional partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures' highly anticipated Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016 Jeep brand introduces all-new 2016 Jeep Renegade Dawn of Justice Special Edition available now in dealerships across the country Jeep and Dodge brands to launch commercials using hero scenes from the film February 22, 2016 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC and Warner Bros. Pictures are joining forces in a one-of-kind co-branded partnership to mark the premiere of the highly anticipated debut of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (opening nationwide in theaters on March 25, 2016).