Little doubt now that Magna International is the lead prospect to buy Chrysler Group from DaimlerChrysler. One of the healthiest parts suppliers in North America, Canada's Magna has more union support than the private equity firms or Kirk Kerkorian, and as owner of Magna-Steyr, it knows how to build cars (its Intier division makes the magic seats for Chrysler's minivans). Now comes the rumor that if this sale happens, Chrysler's new CEO would be Belinda Stronach.
Who? She's the daughter, barely 40, of Magna chairman Frank Stronach, who moved from his native Austria to Canada some half-century ago and founded the company.
Stronach the younger was Magna's CEO until she ran for the Canadian Parliament three years ago as a Conservative. Known, Madonna-like in Canada by her first name, reports The First Post, which has been closely following her story, she crossed the aisle in Ottawa to leave the Conservative party for the Liberals. Last year, the Liberals got mired in scandal, and Belinda considered running for party leadership to replace the prime minister, but dropped out because her inter-party opposition was too strong.
Stronach announced on April 11 that she plans to return to a job at Magna, Canada's CBC television reported, although she's not yet listed among the officers at Magna's corporate website. "She once wanted to run Canada. She may have to make do with Chrysler instead," The First Post reported.
Why would Belinda Stronach running Chrysler be more interesting than, say, Wolfgang Bernhard running Chrysler? Because Wolfgang, as far as I know, isn't an FOB. Belinda is. Last year rumors ran rampant in Canada that she was more than just a friend of former President Bill Clinton. She has denied the rumors, and has since been named in divorce papers filed by the wife of Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi.
Anyway, I can say with reasonable certainty that Bill, still Belinda's friend at the very least, would have no trouble distinguishing the electrical outlet from a hydrogen filler if his wife invites the Big Three over to the White House lawn with environmentally friendly cars.
Finally, Auburn Hills and Toronto get a chance to run with the New York/Washington/Hollywood crowd