Autoblog

Fiat to expand Canadian lineup with Panda and Punto?

Noah Joseph — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EST

Filed under: Canada, Fiat

Much like Mini at its launch, Fiat remains largely a one-model make (here in the United States, that is). While that may not change anytime soon in the U.S., there are rumblings that the model lineup in Canada could expand.

Buoyed by sales proportionately larger above the 49th Parallel than below it, Fiat is apparently plans to add the new Panda (pictured above) and the aging Punto to the Canadian market. Coupled with the expected arrival of the 500L in Fiat "studios" both in Canada and the United States, suddenly the availability of affordable Italian cars looks on the up in the country where Sergio Marchionne was schooled.

Fiat to expand Canadian lineup with Panda and Punto? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Apr 2012 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chrysler auctions first Fiat 500 in Canada for $85,000

Noah Joseph — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat, Canada

Fiat 500 Prima Edizione at the Venetian Ball - Click above for high-res image gallery

With all the anticipation surrounding the Chrysler/Fiat tie-up in the United States, it'd be all to easy to forget that Canada will be part of Fiat's return to North American shores as well. After all, that's where Sergio Marchionne's from, and where some of Chrysler's underutilized plants are expected to be retooled to build Fiats for the North American market. The True North (strong and free as it is) also got the very first Fiat 500 to reach the Atlantic's Western shores in a charity auction that absolutely (though figuratively) blew the doors off the retro mini's list price.

Donated by Chrysler Canada for the 17th annual Venetian Ball in Toronto, a specially-badged Cinquecento went for a whopping $85,000 Canadian. Pricing hasn't been announced for these markets yet, but we're going to assume that's safely several times more than the car itself is worth, Prima Edizione or no Prima Edizione. Proceeds from the charity auction go towards the services provided by Villa Charities, an organization that seeks to help the elderly and mentally disabled in Toronto's Italian-Canadian community. Further details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Prima Edizione at the 17th Annual Venetian Ball

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler auctions first Fiat 500 in Canada for $85,000

Chrysler auctions first Fiat 500 in Canada for $85,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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North American gov't leaders court Fiat for Alfa Romeo plant

Noah Joseph — Fri, 23 May 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Alfa Romeo, Fiat

With Fiat preparing to bring some of its products to the American market, local government leaders have been hard at work courting CEO Sergio Marchionne to produce vehicles in their state or province. Marchionne declared in March that with the weak American dollar, his company would have to strongly consider local production for sales in North America.

Among those politicians who have reached out to Fiat, congressional representatives from the states of Kentucky and Georgia have met with executives from the Italian auto giant to discuss the possibility of opening plants in their districts. However the premier of Ontario seemed to take it one step further by flying to Italy to meet with Marchionne, who himself was raised in the same Canadian province. After General Motors announced the closure of two plants in the past couple of months, Ontario is keen to find tenants for the abandoned facilities. Marchionne, meanwhile, has expressed interest in producing in Mexico, allowing Fiat to extend its operations in Latin America northward to support its foray into the North American market.

As for distribution, while Fiat already networks established for its Case New Holland agricultural equipment division, as well as for its top-end brands Ferrari and Maserati. However Fiat is likely to set up separate distribution channels for Alfa Romeo and, if and when the day comes, the Fiat 500.

[Sources: Reuters and the Toronto Star via Italiaspeed]

North American gov't leaders court Fiat for Alfa Romeo plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 May 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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