Talk about shaky starts...
Fiat workers march in Turin, fearing shutdowns
Thousands of workers marched from the Mirafiori factory in the northern Italian city to near the headquarters, where union leaders gave speeches.
Among the marchers were many who came from Fiat assembly lines in southern Italy.
Fiat is making a turnaround, but many workers fear that the Italian automaker's deal with Chrysler and its efforts to make an accord involving Opel could cost them jobs.
Some workers say their work weeks have already been cut back, as factories idle amid the global economic crisis.
Italy's Fiat SpA wants to make GM Europe, including Opel, part of a global powerhouse also including Chrysler LLC. Opel parent GM faces a June 1 deadline to restructure or file for bankruptcy.
Fiat chief executive Sergio Marchionne has promised to present Fiat's plan for Opel by next week.
Fiat jokes from Car Talk
How do you get spare parts for a Fiat? Just follow another one around.
What's the difference between a Fiat and a Jehovah's Witness? You can close the door on a Jehovah's Witness.
When should you do the first oil change on a Fiat? When it gets to 50,000 miles or (in other words) never.
Have you seen the latest Fiat anti-theft device? They enlarged the logo.
What occupies the last six pages of the Fiat owner's manual? The bus and train timetables.
How can you get a Fiat to do 60 miles an hour? Push it over a cliff.
A friend went to a dealer the other day and said, "I'd like a gas cap for my Fiat." The dealer replied, "Okay. Sounds like a fair trade."
How do you make a Fiat go faster? Tell the tow truck driver to speed up.
What do you call a Fiat on a hilltop? A miracle.
Two Fiats on a hilltop? Science fiction.
Three Fiats on a hilltop? A funny place to build a Fiat factory.