Future Chrysler, Alfa Romeo and Fiat product plans revealed?
Alfa Romeo Kamal concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
According to automotive consulting firm IHS Global Insight, the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep lineups are going to look drastically different over the next few years under Fiat control. No surprises there, but the report goes on the forecast which current Chrysler vehicles will be dropped and which ones will be transferred to new platforms. We've already heard that the next Alfa Romeo 169 sedan will be built atop Chrysler's LX platform in Ontario, Canada and that the Fiat 500 will be built ASAP in Toluca, Mexico, but that's only the beginning.
If IHS is right, joining the 500 in Toluca will be the Jeep Panda, which, as you may have guessed, will be a version of the Fiat Panda wearing Jeep's trademark seven-slot grille. Furthermore, Alfa Romeo may get two new SUVs that would be built in Jeep factories in Jefferson, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio – one midsize 'ute called the GTX that's based on the WL platform that underpins the Jeep Grand Cherokee and a smaller one built on Fiat's C-EVO platform, which will also underpin the next Jeep Liberty. That leaves the unloved Jeep Compass and its somewhat more likable brother, the Patriot, to die slow and inglorious death.
Fiat's C-EVO platform will also spawn the next-gen Dodge Journey, Chrysler Sebring (and presumably the Dodge Avenger if it survives past its current form), and Dodge Caliber. Moving downward in size a notch will (finally) be the Dodge Hornet, which will forgo Bad Chrysler's old deal with Nissan in order to share its Fiat 199 platform with the Alfa Romeo MiTo, both of which will be assembled in Belvidere, Illinois sometime in 2011. Thanks for the tip, Dad!
Gallery: Alfa Romeo Kamal concept
[Source: Global Insight]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
VW GTi 2:09PM (6/19/2009)
This list looks to be shaping up quite nicely.
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lex 4:53PM (6/19/2009)
this car looks like a bar of soap to me
Randy 1:52PM (6/20/2009)
Bar of soap? Not sure I get that one. I think it looks like someone is pinching the nose of a Mazda.
I for one was never a big fan of the Alfa or Fiat front clips but this is subtle enough to make me not shake my head. Looks good-ish...
Peter Rockwell 2:09PM (6/19/2009)
Alfa Romeo = sports cars! Hello!
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AUTOMANIAC 2:24PM (6/19/2009)
they say you must produce suvs to have a good luxury brand image in the states, it's all marketing...going off-track, i think Belvidere should be Belvedere.
jv2k 2:36PM (6/19/2009)
Sport Utility Vehicle.
So technically...
Redline 3:14PM (6/19/2009)
And Jeep = SUV's !
What next? A 4 door sedan Jeep? Why the SUV Alfa, why!
Steve Lopez 3:02PM (6/19/2009)
I say drop the Compass and keep the Patriot.
Better quality interior materials and a nce 5 speed auto or 6 speed manual and this can be really nice CUV.
Turbo Diesel option for Liberty, Patriot and Grand Cherokee.
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Kelah 2:25PM (6/19/2009)
Ugghhh
As an Alfa owner I can not warm up to these new design, yeah the 8C is nice, but for the most part they are bland and this one follows the trend. Zero desire to own one of these, or the Mito.
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black 2:18PM (6/19/2009)
So I'm guessing the Hornet SRT-4 will be a mechanical twin to the Alfa MiTo GTA? Sounds good to me!
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Nightcrawler 2:20PM (6/19/2009)
How much bigger is the MiTo than the 500? The MiTo looks similarly cute to the 500 in my book, and it may be enough larger to appeal to U.S. tastes more. Of course, the Hornet may bear no resemblance at all to the MiTo if it looks anything like the Hornet concept.
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Throwback 2:22PM (6/19/2009)
"According to automotive consulting firm IHS Global Insight, the Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep lineups are going to look drastically different over the next few years under Fiat control. No surprises there"
Understatment of the day!
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Judy Zik 2:58PM (6/19/2009)
Why am I picturing little Orphan Annie at a Chrysler dealership surrounded by Nitros, Sebrings and Caliburs singing "the sun will come out tomorrow...bet you bankrupt dollars that tomorrow. Their'll be Alfa's".
Luis 2:25PM (6/19/2009)
How about a pictoral family tree, AB!?!
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artandcolour 2:32PM (6/19/2009)
oh dear god. i had to give up reading the release after i saw "Jeep Panda" and "Alfa Romeo SUV." what happened to designing and selling honest cars? Jeeps are offroaders and Alfas are sports cars and sporty small cars. Period. Did they learn nothing from the Compass?
i have to go get stupid drunk and try to forget this might happen.
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Rick C. 2:36PM (6/19/2009)
Agreed. How very mainstream of them to do this. So much for tradition.
nexus 2:41PM (6/19/2009)
I understand where you are coming from. But, sometimes the automakers have to expand their horizons. Look at Porsche and their Porsche Cayenne five-seat mid-size luxury sport utility vehicle. 10 -20 years ago who would've thought Porsche would commit to make an SUV? Alfa Romeo SUV? Let us see what they can produce... que no? BTW -- I really enjoyed your art exhibit. ;)
Aprime 2:46PM (6/19/2009)
The Panda's a good little offroader. :|
Bloke 2:49PM (6/19/2009)
"Agreed. How very mainstream of them to do this. So much for tradition."
If tradition in itself was working, there would have been no need for bankruptcy. A departure from tradition is required. Jeep needs a good, small 4x4 urban lifestyle vehicle like the Panda to broaden its appeal.
artandcolour 4:42PM (6/19/2009)
Nexus: you went to my exhibit in person? or did you see it online? how very cool—thanks!