Autoblog

Ram mulling passenger version of promised Fiat Doblo van for U.S.

Chris Shunk — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Chrysler, Fiat

We know that the Fiat Doblo is coming to the Ram brand as a cargo van, but what about a passenger-hauling variant? Automotive News reports that the Ram team is debating just such a move.

The Doblo panel van will compete with the Ford Transit Connect when it hits U.S. streets in early 2013. Ford decided to offer a passenger van version after its small hauler gained a foothold in the States. Ram President Fred Diaz can see that happening to the new Fiat-based van, adding that "it could have passenger car applications." To do that, Chrysler would only need to add a second row of seats and some windows for scenery, items that are already available in other markets.

Fiat is investing $160 million to upgrade its joint venture plant in Turkey so that the Ram version of the Doblo can pass U.S. regulations.

Ram mulling passenger version of promised Fiat Doblo van for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat Doblo headed to U.S. as rebadged Ram in 2013

Eric Loveday — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Europe, Work, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ram

In a move that truly shows how entwined Fiat and Chrysler have become, the Italian automaker, along with its U.S. sidekick Chrysler, confirmed today the launch a Ram-badged version of the Fiat Doblo van in the U.S.

The Chrysler Group has not released photos or specifications for the Ram-badged Doblo, but says the van will be imported from Turkey as it will be built by Fiat Group's Turkish joint-venture partner TOFAS. Chrysler adds that TOFAS will invest over $160 million for the necessary U.S. and Canadian homologation of the front-wheel-drive work van. TOFAS will set aside some of that cash to cover any North American, customer-specific modifications for the Doblo.

Chrysler says the seven-year deal with TOFAS calls for 190,000 Doblos to be shipped to North America. Look for the first Ram-badged Doblos to hit dealer showrooms in early 2013.

Continue reading Fiat Doblo headed to U.S. as rebadged Ram in 2013

Fiat Doblo headed to U.S. as rebadged Ram in 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat Doblo gets a dropside Work Up

Noah Joseph — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Europe, Work, Fiat

Where Americans use pickup trucks, Europeans typically use cargo vans. But even on the other side of the Atlantic, some things just won't fit inside a van. For just those occasions, Fiat Professional has come out with the Doblo Work Up.

Based on the Doblo cargo van, the Doblo Work Up features a pickup bed with not only a drop-down tail gate, but drop-down sides as well for ease of access.

Two diesels are available with either 1.3 liters of displacement and 90 horsepower or 1.6 and 105, backed up by stability control, antilock brakes and electronic brakeforce distribution, with options including hill-holder, the Blue&Me infotainment system developed with Microsoft and TomTom navigation.

Combined with relatively compact overall dimensions, it looks like the perfect thing for slithering down narrow city streets to fix old statues and clean stained glass windows and whatnot. Follow the jump for more details and check out the high-res images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Fiat Doblo gets a dropside Work Up

Fiat Doblo gets a dropside Work Up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Aug 2011 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat may supply Ram Van replacement for Dodge

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Europe, Work, Chrysler, Rumormill, Fiat

Fiat Ducato - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's looking like Chrysler may be ready to re-badge a couple more European vans and bring them to our shores. The automaker is reportedly weighing the option of bringing the pint-sized
front-wheel-drive Fiat Doblo, its bigger brother the Ducato and the seriously meaty Iveco Daily to these shores, all vans to be marketed under the recently minted Ram brand.

We figure that Chrysler would aim the Doblo squarely at the Ford Transit Connect, another European hauler repurposed for the U.S., while the Ducato would slot nicely in the hole left by the departed Dodge Sprinter. For bigger jobs, enter the Iveco Daily, which sees use in nearly every other part of the world to haul just about anything.

Fiat may supply Ram Van replacement for Dodge originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat to supply Opel with a range of vans

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Opel, Vauxhall, Fiat

Fiat Doblo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Fiat and Opel have been dancing at arms length for years. The relationship looked like it could grow closer as a result of GM's recent downsizing, but the Italian automaker didn't end up acquiring the General's European operations in the end. The two automakers have, however, announced a new arrangement that will have Fiat supplying Opel and its British counterpart Vauxhall with rebadged versions of its Doblo van.

Not even taking into account impending platform-sharing with Chrysler, Fiat already produces a number of vehicles with or for other automakers, including commercial vans with PSA Peugeot-Citroën and the compact SX4/Sedici with Suzuki.

The Opel vans will be produced at Fiat's Tofas plant in Turkey, with several derivatives planned, including chassis cabs, cargo vans and passenger vehicles. They'll be sold in Europe and overseas markets (but not in North America), replacing the Opel Combo that itself was based on a Fiat platform that underpins the Corsa.

Gallery: Fiat Doblo and Fiat Doble Cargo

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat to supply Opel with a range of vans

Fiat to supply Opel with a range of vans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Fiat takes on 'The Office' with online fleet management sitcom

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Work, Fiat, UK, Humor

Episode 1 of The Fleet - Click above to watch the video after the jump

Imagine the TV show, "The Office." No, not the American version that catapulted Rainn Wilson into superstardom, but the British original. You know...the sitcom that helped launch creator and star, Ricky Gervais, into the spotlight. Now imagine it set in a fleet management company called Lightfoot Logistics. That is the setup for a new viral marketing effort created for Fiat's UK van business, of all things.

Fiat has produced a series of short mockumentary-type webisodes chronicling the day-to-day activities at the firm and a full Lightfoot website to go with it. There is plenty of sexual innuendo in the videos, but they are pretty tame and make this Office-knockoff almost as funny as the real thing. Almost. We've embedded the first two episodes after the jump for your lunch-at-work viewing enjoyment. Click through to see Pete and Dave take on a rival's clueless salesman and watch as they head to the area commercial van show to check out the Doblo and its competition, nearly getting sidetracked by an obnoxious acquaintance.

WARNING: Videos after the jump are set to auto play.

[Source: Lightfoot Logistics]

Continue reading Video: Fiat takes on 'The Office' with online fleet management sitcom

Video: Fiat takes on 'The Office' with online fleet management sitcom originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat reveals new Doblo... will it come to America to challenge Ford's Transit Connect?

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Work, Dodge, Fiat

Fiat Doblo - click above for high-res gallery

You're feasting your eyes on Fiat's new Doblo. First debuting in 2001, Fiat has manged to sell over one million Doblos, both as panel work vans (know as the Doblo Cargo) and as five or seven passenger "leisure activity vehicles." This is the first ground-up redesign in the Doblo's relatively short life, and we're thinking Fiat might have bigger plans for its tiny work truck.

If you look closely at Chrysler's five-year plan, you'll see the following bullet point, "Ram large and small commercial van (2012, supplied by Fiat)." So let's see... small commercial van, supplied by Fiat... we're thinking they mean the Doblo. And with the Ford Transit Connect doing well in the U.S., the Doblo might find some takers. But, whatever Fiat brings over as a new Ram is still a few years off. Until then, chew on the fact that a version of the Doblo is made and sold in North Korea as the Ppeokkugi. Full press release, after the jump.

Gallery: Fiat Doblo and Fiat Doble Cargo

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat reveals new Doblo... will it come to America to challenge Ford's Transit Connect?

Fiat reveals new Doblo... will it come to America to challenge Ford's Transit Connect? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fiat owner gets revenge for unreliable van

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Work, Fiat, Carsumer Advocacy

Ben Terrett, a graphic designer in London saw this FIAT Doblo and snapped a photo. We thank him for his expert eye and quick reflexes. While at first glance this might seem to be a commercial van covered with advertising for the driver's company, it is in fact a van covered with angst. The sides and rear spell out a laundry list of complaints the owner has with it: "This FIAT is very unreliable, 2 new clutches, 2 new flywheels, 2 new master cylinders, 2 new servos, Since new, Nothing but aggro." Apparently this guy isn't too happy with his little FIAT and hasn't gotten any satisfaction from his dealer. As Terrett points out, it looks like a pretty effective way to take revenge. Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: Noisy Decent Graphics]

Fiat owner gets revenge for unreliable van originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Oct 2008 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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