Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[REPORT: Alfa Romeo to lead American charge, Fiat 500 to go it alone]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/report-alfa-romeo-to-lead-american-charge-fiat-500-to-go-it-al/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/report-alfa-romeo-to-lead-american-charge-fiat-500-to-go-it-al/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/26/report-alfa-romeo-to-lead-american-charge-fiat-500-to-go-it-al/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Alfa Romeo has been toying with the idea of returning to America for years, but now that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is working from Auburn Hills, the time seems more ripe than ever as details emerge on Fiat/Chrysler's strategy vis-a-vis the North American market. While Marchionne implements management restructuring designed to reduce Chrysler's executive hierarchy and separate its divisions into more independent units, a product strategy is rapidly being put into place to make up for lost time during the bankruptcy procedure and get the company back on track.

With Maserati and Ferrari already present in North America and Lancia offering little to entice North American buyers, the Italian side of the partnership looks poised to enter the market with Fiat and Alfa Romeo models. However, while future Chryslers, Dodges and Jeeps will share underpinnings with their Fiat and Alfa Romeo counterparts - including an Alfa GTX to be based on the new Jeep Grand Cherokee - the Fiat brand itself will have a very limited presence in the North American market, offering only the 500 retro hatchback as a stand-alone model... not unlike BMW's Mini brand. Other Fiat models will carry Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep badges, while Alfa Romeo will take the higher profile on this side of the Atlantic, offering cars under the stoic marque to compete with other European luxury brands. As the Freep points out, Chrysler and Alfa had collaborated in the early '90s to bring Alfas Stateside with limited success, but Marchionne evidently thinks it'll have better luck this time around.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

REPORT: Alfa Romeo to lead American charge, Fiat 500 to go it alone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Jun 2009 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alfa romeoAlfaRomeochryslerchrysler fiatchrysler llcchrysler restructuringChryslerFiatChryslerLlcChryslerRestructuringdetroit ffee pressDetroitFfeePressfiatfiat 500fiat chryslerFiat500FiatChryslerfreepsergio marchionneSergioMarchionneFri, 26 Jun 2009 09:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Dealers praise/criticize Chrysler's Project Genesis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/dealers-praise-criticize-chryslers-project-genesis/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/dealers-praise-criticize-chryslers-project-genesis/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/02/dealers-praise-criticize-chryslers-project-genesis/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Chrysler's restructuring plan and new plan for product development named Project Genesis is facing some expected criticism from many dealers. However, others are praising the cost-cutting, model-trimming and dealer-consolidation program that's happening as a result. As Chrysler pressures its traditional dealer network to sell all three brands (Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge) under one roof - without any financial assistance to help those already struggling with slow sales - many dealers are having a difficult time with the expense of investing in larger facilities to meet the Project Genesis requirements.

According to Chrysler, a one-brand dealer won't be able to survive with its limited vehicle offerings after Chrysler trims down its model lines (expected to be complete by 2012). This is forcing dealers to add the other brands, or shut their doors as sales slowly dwindle. Conversely, the closure of some dealers is having a positive effect on others. With padlocks now on the front doors of their competition, the surviving dealers are experiencing significant growth in vehicles sales, parts and service.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Dealers praise/criticize Chrysler's Project Genesis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Jun 2008 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AlphaChrysler restructuringChryslerRestructuringConsolidationDealersGenesisGensisProject XProjectXMon, 02 Jun 2008 16:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Rumormill: Chrysler lineup to shrink by five]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/17/rumormill-chrysler-lineup-to-shrink-by-five/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/17/rumormill-chrysler-lineup-to-shrink-by-five/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/17/rumormill-chrysler-lineup-to-shrink-by-five/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

What was hinted at in February by then-CEO Tom Lasorda, then hinted at again in September by new CEO Bob Nardelli, is now simply waiting to happen: Chrysler LLC is going to reorganize its product line and probably start by axing around five models. No one will say exactly which models will return to dust, but it is suspected that the Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Dakota, Jeep Commander and Compass could be headed to the guillotine, while the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Durango wait on Death Row for their final appeals to be decided.

The reasoning, as laid out by President and Vice Chairman Jim Press, is that Chrysler has "models that overlap, where we have two or three vehicles that serve the same market segment and maybe the same customer and actually compete with each other to some extent. We also have markets where we have insufficient coverage, where we don't have enough product." According to Press, the branding makeover aims to see Chrysler doing upscale, Jeep handling rugged and off-road, and Dodge putting out high-volume cars and trucks.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading Rumormill: Chrysler lineup to shrink by five

Rumormill: Chrysler lineup to shrink by five originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chrysler killing carschrysler lineupchrysler restructuringchrysler turnaroundChryslerKillingCarsChryslerLineupChryslerRestructuringChryslerTurnarounddodge lineupDodgeLineupjeep lineupJeepLineupWed, 17 Oct 2007 15:31:00 EST