Fiat and Chrysler designers to collaborate, other Fiat divisions excluded
The ink isn't even dry yet on the deal between Chrysler and Fiat, but design executives from both automakers are slated to begin meeting next week to discuss collaboration on future products and how Fiat's current offerings can be adapted for Chrysler's needs.
The meetings were confirmed by Chrysler's VP of design Ralph Gilles, who also revealed that the alliance extends only to the Fiat brand itself, and does not include Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Maserati or Ferrari. So don't expect to see a Dodge 8C Competizione hitting the market any time soon. However, although Maserati and Ferrari are already active on this side of the Atlantic, Fiat is expected to use Chrysler's existing infrastructure to reach its goal of bringing the Alfa Romeo brand back to he North American market. The cars available to Chrysler for re-badging, however, will remain exclusively from the Fiat portfolio.
[Source: Automotive News – subs. req'd]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
_thumbnail.jpg "2011 Audi A8: Live from Miami")
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ken_aisin 10:29AM (1/23/2009)
A gorgeous coupe that looks like the 8C with Chrysler guts inside? This one's tempting, but I guess I'll pass.
Reply
ken_aisin 10:31AM (1/23/2009)
and please don't put Dodge/Chrysler badges on my Abarth 500.
Rob 11:26AM (1/23/2009)
Aw come on Ken. The cutesy 500 is a PERFECT dodge Neon! They both have the same goggly eye'd friendly look about them. I say do it! :)
Travis 11:40AM (1/23/2009)
@Ken - +1000
MemphisNET 10:29AM (1/23/2009)
No problem!
Fiat 500 = Chrysler Akino
Fiat Bravo = Dodge Neon
Fiat Idea could be a Dodge small MPV/Mini-minivan
Lots of possibilities here. They still need a midsize, and a next-gen full size stuff. Their trucks are fine, if only plentiful.
Reply
DKB_SATX 12:43PM (1/23/2009)
Chrysler's designers will want to slap a useless trunk on the back of a Bravo instead of selling a nice tidy hatch... and if they put a 2-foot trunk hanging off, it would be exactly the same length as the god-awful Sebring that needs to be crushed and forgotten. It's comparable in other outward dimensions, though the Bravo's wheelbase is a little shorter. It's bigger and better than a Neon, smaller (slightly!) and better than a Sebring. It's also something like 800 lb LIGHTER than a Sebring.
The Sebring I rented a few weeks ago was the worst rental I've driven since car rental companies stopped carrying Corsicas.
GOT 11:41AM (1/26/2009)
If they bring the Abarth 500 and keep it a "Fiat" Abarth then I'll be fine with an Akino. It's a great looking concept.
Jj 10:34AM (1/23/2009)
If the only way we are going to get the Fiat 500 is as a Chrysler then I am all for it.
Just please don't try to "chryslerify" it. This is one time a little pure badge engineering is just fine.
Reply
MemphisNET 10:40AM (1/23/2009)
Just in case you didn't realize Chrysler existed before 1998, 'Chrysler' didn't screwup their cars, Merc/Daimler did -- and they KNOW how to make cars.
Jj 10:46AM (1/23/2009)
Just in case you didn't realize: the 500 is a modern interpretation of a classic Fiat design. To work Chrysler (or Dodge) styling cues would not work at all.
MemphisNET 10:57AM (1/23/2009)
You're right, I'll hold judgement until it's in the flesh -- but I'm not going to discount it either especially after seeing the RAM, the 09 Patriot/Compass (interior for the Compass), the Challenger, and the new insides of the Charger.
Jj 11:09AM (1/23/2009)
I'm not discounting chrysler's ability to turn itself around either. In fact, I would not want to see Chrysler basically become Fiat's US dealer network. I hope that the Fiat rebadging is limited to the short term, and this partnership in the long run brings newly engineered models that benefit both brands.
Also I think that the Challenger is one of the best designs on the road, once it gets an interior that complements the exterior it will be an instant classic.
Judy Zik 11:37AM (1/23/2009)
Totally agree about what the new Ram says about what Cerbyler can do especially with new interiors. The Challenger on the other hand was a huge disappointment inside and every time you mention the word Compass Jeep fans around the globe start to cry.
This news is just common sense. It would make no sense for Fiat to let Cerbyler rebadge Alfa's or anything high end. It would kill the brand value they are looking to create. Chrysler will instead just sell them as Alfa's at their dealerships. If my local Ford dealer here in Canada can sell Lincolins and Pontiac can sell Buick and Caddy it wont be a problem. Chrysler dealerships are so hungry for something exciting to sell they will welcome Alfa's with open arms. As for larger cars Chrysler has the 300 and is supposed to be actually making an updated version which would give them something to trade back to Fiat so no need for them to go looking elsewhere.
jamie 11:53AM (1/23/2009)
Sorry Judy Zik,
All Alfas are going to existing Ferrari and Maserati dealer. Chrysler will get zero. If they get anything at all it will be Fiats and Fiats only.
DKB_SATX 1:36PM (1/23/2009)
Jamie: Ferrari doesn't have anything approaching the dealer network they'd need to make Alfa a competitive brand. Alfa is competitive with BMW and Audi, they would need many times the number of dealers that Ferrari/Maserati have in the US.
There have been rumors of selling Alfas through MINI dealers... I think that may fall by the wayside if this Chrysler partnership blossoms. Offering Alfa as a new model line in the Chrysler dealers that remain when the economy turns around (Chrysler, Fiat, Alfa dealers?) would make more sense than just selling Alfas through the 36 Ferrari dealers in the US. The fact that the 8C is a Ferrari-Maserati exclusive has no real bearing on what they'd need to do to sell MiTos and 159s here.
MemphisNET 2:08PM (1/23/2009)
@Judy Zik
I didn't say I like the Compass, but it sells, and sells well -- especially here in Canada. I'm referring to the interior itself on that particular vehicle. My choice will be the Patriot for obvious reasons.
As for the Challenger interior, personally I love it because it's not in my face. But I agree it may need a facelift to appeal to more customers.
AZZO45b 10:21AM (1/24/2009)
It "sells well"? PLEASE!
Look up the "launch" MSRP or the Compass & compare it to what Jeep dealers have had to slash it to "sell well". Repeat this for the Dodge Caliber. These cars "sell" because the price tag has been slashed to K-Mart price levels.
In this bad economy NOTHING is selling well, especially ugly & poorly executed models like the Caliber & CompASS(ugly)!!!. These cars need more than interiors brought up to "average" ( from below-average).
jsr 10:57AM (1/23/2009)
So what is the design process? Slapping a dodge grill on fiat models or putting the fiat emblem on dodge models. I bet they decide with a coin toss.
Reply
Erik 10:35AM (1/23/2009)
This Chrysler/Fiat linkup really seems like a perfect match. Very mutually benificial. Makes a lot mere sense than Chrysler's last linkup. I hope it brings both companies great sucess.
Reply
R_man_5K 10:39AM (1/23/2009)
So my hopes for a dodge version of a "all new" lancia delta integrale to compete with STIs and EVOs is out the window???
Reply