These mergers often feel like big steps toward a totally homogenized car business where badge engineering and strict bean-counting lead us to our inevitable future — 23,000 robots stamping out one model of electric crossover in 7 different colors. But, between now and then, maybe something fun happens.

After all, it’s happened before. The first “merger of equals” got us the Chrysler Crossfire and, really if you think about it, the Challenger and Charger. The Fiat takeover put the excellent and recently discontinued Alfa Romeo 4C, the Giulia and the 500 Abarth on American streets. Not a bad deal overall.

Could Stellantis bring us more than just a Paul Verhoeven-ass name/logo? I think it could. It probably won’t, but it could.

Maybe we get the good crossover, the Maybe, through some absolute fluke, a miracle of miracles, someone drags a over to dominate a local hill climb or an ARA event. It’s technically possible that something like that could happen? Maybe a DS?

I’ve done a little browsing, and I think at this moment — and of course, barring the impossible rally scenario I mentioned above — the PSA nameplate I’d like to see in the states is the 508 SW, a car likely to sell in the mid-dozens before being canceled. But still, look at it! Do Americans hate wagons? Or are the wagons we get just insufficiently French? Probably the former but there’s only one way to know for sure.

Anyway, take a look for yourself. We’ve got new brands, many French, entering into a business entanglement with the people who make the and the , the possibilities are endless. You want a Ram with badges? You want, uhh, an Opel? A Vauxhall? Lemme know! The Stellantis guys are certainly reading your comments to inform their planning!