Fiat-Chrysler partnership will bring 7 new models to U.S.
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Fiat 500
Since the announcement of the Chrysler-Fiat partnership last week, speculation has swirled about what models would come out of the American-Italian venture. Automotive News got the skinny on what's on the way, and according to their unnamed sources, we can expect seven new vehicles in North America – four under the Chrysler brands and three as Alfa Romeos or Fiats.
The plan covers vehicles on four platforms, spanning from a micro-car to a mid-size sedan, with plants in North America being tasked with building most of the new models. Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant, which current builds the Dodge Journey and not-long-for-this-world PT Cruiser, will begin producing the Fiat 500 under the alliance.
Chrysler's executive vice president for product development, Frank Klegon, said, "We don't have an A-segment vehicle, and we don't have a B-segment vehicle, and our C-segment vehicle [Dodge Caliber] is in the next stage of renewal. That creates some opportunities for us." So what's on the way? Hit the jump to find out.
Gallery: Fiat 500
The agreement involves two new minicars (A-segment) that share the same platform. The first is the aforementioned Fiat 500 and the second, a five-door hatchback based on the Fiat Panda, will likely be badged as a Chrysler or Dodge. This should help both automakers with the 2011 U.S. fuel economy standards and give Chrysler a serious sub-compact offering.Moving up to the B segment, Chrysler could get the next generation Fiat Grande Punto, Alfa could begin selling the MiTo and the same platform could be used to create a small crossover for Chrysler. There's also talk of Chrysler being afforded access to Fiat's 1.4- and 1.8-liter four-cylinder direct-injection engines. Chrysler could produce both at one of its own factories, likely in turbocharged guise at its Dundee, Michigan plant, but a source indicates that Chrysler is only interested in the 1.4-liter variant.
On the mid-size front, Chrysler – which is in desperate need of both C- and D-segment models to replace the Caliber/Compass and Sebring/Avenger, respectively – could utilize Fiat's new C-Evo architecture to create a new sedan and a more respectable compact car. The C-Evo underpinnings will be used first on the Alfa Romeo 147 replacement, currently codenamed project 940, which takes some stylistic cues from the 8C Competitizione.
And what's Fiat get out of all this? An inexpensive entry into the North American market, manufacturing capacity and a sizeable distribution network. And if you think Chrysler is getting all the goods, Fiat plans to distribute the Dodge Journey and Dakota pickup in South America, and will be able to utilize Chrysler's new Phoenix V6 in its own line of products. Not quite balanced, but hardly a bad deal.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
JN 9:34AM (1/26/2009)
Works for me. Where do I sign up for my 500?
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MemphisNET 9:34AM (1/26/2009)
Quite the ambitions plan. Hope they can come through. Personally I'd love to see the Fiat Bravo as a Dodge Neon. Keeping the Fiat 500 a Fiat makes sense, they probably don't want to dilute the brand image; I don't think it could HARM the sales of a 'Dodge 500' or whatever, but having a cute Fiat 500 to go toe to toe with the Mini Cooper makes far more sense. It's also good to hear the Caliber is in the middle of a refresh -- overall the Caliber isn't a bad vehicle, just ill-placed and no traditional sedan to compliment it. I've said it many times, great mini-CUV, but a small car it is not. A new interior, less blocky exterior and some sound-deadening would go along way.
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MemphisNET 9:40AM (1/26/2009)
Oh, and the CVT -- unless they can get the exact same JACTO (correct?) units that Nissan uses, go back to the classic 4speed. At least it's, now, very reliable and very tall final gear would address mileage concerns.
huisj203 10:21AM (1/26/2009)
If the 500 is aimed at the mini cooper, will people cross shop the two of them if minis are sold at fairly upscale dealerships (ones usually featuring upscale european brands) and fiats are sold at chrysler dealerships? I'm worried that the big generic dealer network could actually scare people away who might be otherwise interested in it because the dealers won't seem special enough.
Sandeep 10:38AM (1/26/2009)
They mention using Chrysler's distribution network, but that doesn't necessarily mean their dealers. It could just mean their transportation network (getting cars from point A to B somewhat efficiently) and for part transportation.
Who knows, maybe they'll even build a separate little showroom for Fiat at some dealers, if that's what ends up happening. If you want the product, you're not going to care about what brand dealer has it inside.
Travis 11:22AM (1/26/2009)
@huisj203 - One thing to note is that there aren't always MINI dealerships around. I live in the state capital, with a population of 460,000 and the closest MINI dealer is 65 miles away. The nearest Chrysler dealer is in town, though, and I'd definitely be fine checking out a Fiat there...
Doogs 12:41PM (1/26/2009)
@huisj203 - People who are buying Minis are buying them because they are Minis, not because the dealership happens to ride shotgun to a BMW dealer. If anything, I think the relationship is something of a hindrance.
First, because Mini dealerships are few and far between. In my case, there's not even one in my city (Austin, TX), so taking the Mini in for service means taking the day off of work and driving to San Antonio. And they're so stingy with loaners that god knows what would happen if it had to be kept overnight...
Second, while the Mini dealers are 100% win when it comes to ordering and delivery, everything falls apart when it comes to service. You really get the sense of being a 2nd class citizen next to the BMW clique.
Personally, I'd be very open to seeing Fiats and Alphas at the local Chyrsler/Jeep/Dodge dealers. If it's a good car, I'll seek it out wherever it is.
GOT 9:35AM (1/26/2009)
YES! The 500, the Punto and the MiTo in the USA!!! I never thought the 500 was coming here. This is awesome. I only hope it's reliable, built well and has relatively good performance.
I don't know about that Panda thing. It needs a lot to be desired.
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Dane 9:49AM (1/26/2009)
I rented a Fiat Panda when I was in Torino (Turin) last winter for skiing... It was more then enough car and a much better offering then anything from Asia (Japan and Korea).... It's a 'cult' car with a lot of charm!!!
RMc 11:14AM (1/26/2009)
I've read that the MiTo doesn't have a ODB II port required to be sold in the US. I don't know how simple it is to integrate (maybe the ECU works off a different communications bus altogether? I don't know much about car ECUs...) but it seems like maybe moany/all Alfa/Fiats might have the same problem. I guess this needs to be addressed before they bring anything over.
zem_the_mattress 5:13PM (1/26/2009)
As far as I know, from the Euro motoring press, the 500 is a cutification of the Panda. The Beetle to the Panda's Golf if you will, and the Panda 100hp was called the 'funnest car under 10k (pounds)' by EVO. Thus I am eagerly anticipating a killer performance box-mobile to go against the Fit, Scion line and other budget rides
Ludovico de Amicis 9:37AM (1/26/2009)
I just hope they have Abarth offerings too!
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth Essesse *drool*
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Dane 9:49AM (1/26/2009)
Now Chrysler has a future portfolio as well a s Ford.... The only good thing GM has for it's portfolio is the uncertainty of Saturn and the ties it has with Opel/Vauxhal...
I wish (But still happy) we could get the Abarth lineup... The Grande Punto is a very smart looking and classic car already...
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Adam H. 12:56PM (1/26/2009)
i am by no means a GM fanboy, but by the time Chrysler would integrate Fiat into the US, minimum of a year. 2010, Volt, Cruze, CTS Coupe, SRX redeux, Tranverse. To say all they have is Saturn and O/V is a short-sighted response. Even if only one of these cars makes it to production it still renders you comment null/void.
Dane 2:51PM (1/26/2009)
Hey Adam...
I see your point but....
I know the products GM will have to offer... I am just saying that they don't have a case for the competition coming their way... The Cruze may look like a nice car but in reality it should have replaced the Cavalier back in the mid 1990's.... I feel their portfolio is very week (as usual) compared to any other auto companies....
For example: There is not a single b-class (Ford Fiesta, Fiat Grande Punto, Volkswagen Polo and BMW's Mini) ... That the demand is growing the strongest and many cars on their way (all mentioned above)... The only effort GM has in this class is the Opel/Vauxal Corsa... a car that would fit into the "not sure what to do with" Saturn....
montoym 4:18AM (1/27/2009)
@ Dane:
So, you've apparently never heard of the Chevy Beat(Spark) then?
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/10/detroit-preview-chevy-spark-beats-a-path-to-the-web/
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/16/no-spark-what-happened-to-gms-promised-5-door-microcar-in-detr/
Dane 11:42AM (1/27/2009)
@monto??
Yes I have heard of the Beat..... I am not daft here.... Look at the stats for GM....
GM does not have a B-Class car except the Corsa.... The Beat is sub B-Class.... Smaller then the Toyota Yaris and Ford Fiesta....
FThorn 9:39AM (1/26/2009)
What is the discrete list of seven?
The title says WILL, but you through around a lot of 'could's and 'might's. :)
Is this how it reads?
1. Fiat 500
2. Fiat Panda
3. Fiat Grande Punto
4. Alfa MiTo
5. TBA crossover ?
6. new sedan on C-Evo (Alfa 147 project 940) replace Caliber
7. new sedan #2 on C-Evo replace Sebring/Avenger
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Car Fan 10:05AM (1/26/2009)
You forgot the Alfa 8C Competizione Spider. They will most likely not sell a single car until this one is ready. They are planning their re-launch in the U.S. with this car.
jamie 11:20AM (1/26/2009)
Absolutely no Alfas will be sold in any guise at any Chrysler dealer.
They are all spoken for by Ferrari-Maserati dealerships.