Fiat to the rescue!

American car companies have been struggling to survive in this seemingly never-ending recession, and many a question has been raised about which are going to stay afloat. One company might have the answer.

Chrysler has decided to look east for some help. The Italian car company Fiat has announced it has come to a decision on a nonbinding agreement with Chrysler.

The decision came barely 12 hours after people knew a discussion was even taking place. By holding a 35 percent share in Chrysler, there is hope that this European company can save the drowning Americans.

Chrysler is making itself seem pretty desperate, if you ask me.

And I couldn’t be happier about it.

No, I’m not glad Chrysler has a chance to live again. I’m happy that Fiat has another shot to make it in the states.

Fiat has the right idea about cars in this modern age. It makes smaller, more fuel-efficient platforms for cars without sacrificing on looks. Their 500 model takes its looks from its ancestor while packing it with modern day technology, sure to scare Mini half to death.

But the best part of Fiat’s reappearance in America is the long-awaited return of Fiat brand Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo, as well as Fiat, was sold here up until the mid-1990s, when a sales downturn forced them to go back to their homeland.

With this partnership, Alfa Romeo has been given an open door to come charging back into the states. Alfa will balance Fiat’s fuel efficiency with its own style of muscle. Cars such as the 8C Competizione, which saw minor release in the United States late last year, are sure to make a big splash on the performance car market.

Fiat’s partnership with Chrysler is just what the American car scene needs. People are sick and tired of bland, quasi-futuristic hybrids. They want small displacement and beautifully styled, European city cars.

We need something different. The old market for cars has changed, and the American public is hungry for something new. And I think between Fiat and Alfa Romeo, people will see what’s possible in the modern automotive world.

As for the bigwigs at Chrysler, all they should do is put their hands behind their backs and nod their heads to whatever Fiat officials say to do. Fiat is going to single-handedly save Chrysler from what seemed to be a fated doom.

Chrysler was desperate for help, which puts the company in Fiat’s pocket. The best part about it for Fiat is that no money exchanged hands; all Fiat had to do was promise some some distribution rights and some platforms it already had in place.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne took a tour of Chrysler headquarters in Michigan on Saturday. I think that seals the deal that this dream is finally becoming a reality.

If I were Marchionne, walking through the halls of Chrysler’s headquarters, the only thought in my head would be “I wonder how long until they let me change these curtains.”