Fiat Chrysler CEO says no news on approach to GM but consolidation good

TURIN (Reuters) - Consolidation continues to be necessary in the auto industry but there is nothing new to report on Fiat Chrysler's desire for a tie-up with General Motors , FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said on Friday. "The (need for) consolidation remains valid, no one has questioned its economic rational," Marchionne said, speaking on the sidelines of the launch of a re-styled version of its popular Fiat 500 hatchback. Marchionne approached his counterpart at GM, Mary Barra, with a merger proposal earlier this year but was rebuffed. Asked if there was anything new to report on FCA's appetite for a link-up with GM, he said there was not. Asked whether the ongoing dismantling of an alliance between Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp's <7269.T> and Germany's Volkswagen AG could create opportunities for Fiat Chrysler, Marchionne said it was too early to say. (Reporting by Gianni Montani; writing by Francesca Landini)