Military-vehicle production and Iveco, its lorry and bus division, could also go on the block.

ECONOMIST: Junked? | The

Smaller firms, such as Navistar in America and Fiat's Iveco, could find themselves as targets.

ECONOMIST: The truck industry

Chauffeur, a European joint-venture funded by DaimlerChrysler, Iveco, Bosch and others, has demonstrated the technique on Iveco's proving grounds in Balocco, Italy.

ECONOMIST: MONITOR

Mr Marchionne believes that spinning off Fiat Industrial, which will include CNH, a producer of farming and construction equipment and Iveco, a truckmaker, will give those businesses, which currently account for 35% of group sales, greater visibility.

ECONOMIST: A plan for Fiat and Chrysler