Last year, for instance, Fiat failed to find a buyer for Magneti Marelli, its struggling car-components business.

ECONOMIST: Junked? | The

Paolo Cantarella, the company's chief executive, wants to raise euro2 billion from disposals, such as the Magnetti Marelli car-parts business even though an attempt to do this earlier this year failed.

ECONOMIST: Fiat falters: Nibbling the bullet | The

With a combined production capacity of more than 4m vehicles a year, Fiat will also get some vital scale economies for its platforms, powertrains and the electrical components made by its Magneti Marelli subsidiary.

ECONOMIST: Fiat and Chrysler: An Italian lifeline | The