Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Pininfarina to build handful of Sergio Roadster models?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/pininfarina-to-build-handful-of-sergio-roadster-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/pininfarina-to-build-handful-of-sergio-roadster-models/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/18/pininfarina-to-build-handful-of-sergio-roadster-models/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Pininfarina Sergio Roadster concept - live at Geneva Motor Show unveiling - front three-quarter view

At just about any other auto show, Pininfarina's Sergio Roadster would've been the uncontested showstopper - but at the Geneva Motor Show, where supercar reveals stack up like cordwood and there are plenty of coachbuilt classics-to-be, the Sergio was merely stunning.

But its beauty shouldn't be overlooked, and apparently it hasn't been - Pininfarina is seriously considering a very limited run of the roofless, windshield-free sports car. With just five or six examples in the possible production run, the Ferrari 458 Spider-based barchetta could fetch some three million euros. That's according to CEO Silvio Angori, who spoke with Automotive News Europe. At the time the Sergio was introduced, we had heard that Pininfarina was mulling production, but this is the first time we've had even rough numbers assigned to the car.

The Sergio's aesthetic success hinges quite a bit on the roll bar element, which also serves as a rear spoiler, and it's quite low, which could pose production challenges. If sold as designed, European law would mandate that helmets be worn whenever it's driven on public roads. Apparently, Pininfarina is aware that plutocrats tend to not want "helmet hair" when popping down to the shops or going out for dinner, so a small windshield could be added to make the car more palatable for actual road use.

Pininfarina to build handful of Sergio Roadster models? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>458 italiaconcept carferrariferrari 458 italiaferrari 458 spidergenevageneva 2013geneva motor showpininfarinasergiosergio conceptMon, 18 Mar 2013 17:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20507785/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/18/pininfarina-to-build-handful-of-sergio-roadster-models/20507785/article-detail.xml 20507785 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Pininfarina Sergio Concept ditches windshield for crash helmets [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva-2013/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/05/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva-2013/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Pininfarina Sergio Concept

To give you an idea of the ethos behind this concept, consider this fact: The Pininfarina Sergio comes with its own custom helmets for the driver and passenger. And yes, they match the sensuous red and black scheme so artfully applied to the car itself. Form and function, rolled into one machine.

It is, quite fittingly, based upon the guts of a Ferrari, the 458 in particular, as the Italian design house is most commonly thought of as the styling center for the Italian supercar manufacturer. Performance specs are as follows: 0-62 in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 199 miles per hour, courtesy of Ferrari's 570-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 engine.

According to Fabio Filippini, design director at Pininfarina, "We were motivated by the spirit of Pininfarina's best sports cars, Ferraris of the '60s and '70s designed under the leadership of Sergio Pininfarina. In particular, the Dino Berlinetta Speciale of 1965, the Ferrari 250 LM, the P5, the Modulo, and the Mythos."

We'll leave the subjective points of the car's styling to you, but we will say that the overall wedge shape, lack of windshield and forward-canted roll hoop are nothing if not memorable. If you like what you see, you'll be pleased to know that Pininfarina says it is "a real car that can easily be produced in limited series of a few units." In other words, get out your checkbook.

Scroll down to watch a video and read the official press release, but first be sure to meander your way through our high-res gallery of live images above.

Continue reading Pininfarina Sergio Concept ditches windshield for crash helmets [w/video]

Pininfarina Sergio Concept ditches windshield for crash helmets [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva 2013geneva motor showpininfarinapininfarina sergiopininfarina sergio conceptsergioTue, 05 Mar 2013 19:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20489017/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/05/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva-2013/20489017/article-detail.xml 20489017 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-concept-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Pininfarina Sergio makes official web debut]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/03/pininfarina-sergio-makes-official-web-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/03/pininfarina-sergio-makes-official-web-debut/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/03/pininfarina-sergio-makes-official-web-debut/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pininfarina Sergio Concept

You can be sure that we'll be bringing you live images of the Pininfarina Sergio Concept from the Geneva Motor Show next week, but in the meantime, we suggest you take a gander at the image above (click to view it in high res). As you can see, the concept sits as low to the ground as possible, in the best Italian tradition, and it eschews a windshield in favor of what we assume are precise wind-cheating aerodynamics and what appears to be a roll bar with headrests behind the passenger compartment. We'll have to wait a little longer for any more details, such as what's powering this wedge-shaped machine.

This is the first full image the Italian coachbuilder has published, which it says "renews the spirit of the extraordinary achievements born under Sergio Pininfarina's guide, projecting them towards the future in the name of exclusivity, innovation and passion." Built in honor of Sergio Pininfarina, Life Senator and Honorary Chairman of the Pininfarina Group, who passed away in July of 2012, this two-seat red barchetta would be a perfect prop for impromptu Geddy Lee impersonations. Feel free to read the extremely sparse press release below, and stay tuned for live images within the next few days.

Continue reading Pininfarina Sergio makes official web debut

Pininfarina Sergio makes official web debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Mar 2013 10:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva 2013geneva motor showpininfarinapininfarina sergio conceptsergioSun, 03 Mar 2013 10:50:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20486289/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/03/pininfarina-sergio-makes-official-web-debut/20486289/article-detail.xml 20486289 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/pininfarina-sergio-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Pininfarina teases Sergio concept car for Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/pininfarina-teases-sergio-concept-car-for-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/pininfarina-teases-sergio-concept-car-for-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/05/pininfarina-teases-sergio-concept-car-for-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Pininfarina Sergio concept car teaser - vent image

Pininfarina has announced that it will debut an "innovative and exclusive" concept car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show as a tribute to Life Senator Sergio Pininfarina, Honorary Chairman of the Pininfarina Group who passed away in July of 2012. Sergio took control of the company in 1966, after the death of his father, Gian Battista 'Pinin' Farina.

The concept, aptly named "Sergio," will celebrate the maestro of Italian style, who is credited with designing vehicles for countless automakers including Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Chevrolet, Volvo, Maserati and Ferrari - the 2002 Ferrari Enzo and 1984 Ferrari Testarossa were penned under his guidance, among others.

Continue reading Pininfarina teases Sergio concept car for Geneva

Pininfarina teases Sergio concept car for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 geneva motor showgenevageneva motor showpinin farinapininfarinasergiosergio conceptsergio concept carsergio pininfarinaTue, 05 Feb 2013 16:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20449307/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/05/pininfarina-teases-sergio-concept-car-for-geneva/20449307/article-detail.xml 20449307 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/pininfarinasergio628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/pininfarinasergio628.jpg <![CDATA[REPORT: Fiat's Marchionne could replace Nardelli as Chrysler CEO in management shake-up royale]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/report-fiats-marchionne-could-replace-nardelli-as-chrysler-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/report-fiats-marchionne-could-replace-nardelli-as-chrysler-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/13/report-fiats-marchionne-could-replace-nardelli-as-chrysler-ceo/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

If you were surprised by the "resignation" of GM chief Rick Wagoner late last month, get used to the idea. Chrysler reportedly has some major management changes in store as well, including a new seven-member executive board including representatives from Fiat and the Obama administration's automotive task force. But while Bob Nardelli may stay on to chair that board, Chrysler's next CEO may not even be American. Sources close to the ongoing negotiations between Chrysler LLC and the Fiat Group suggest that part of the new arrangement could see Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionnne taking the top job at the Detroit automaker with which he's jumping into bed.

Sound crazy? Not as crazy as you might think. The architect of Fiat's impressive turn-around from a struggling conglomerate into one of Europe's biggest automakers, Marchionne is a Canadian citizen and was educated just a hop, skip and a jump away from Detroit in Windsor, Ontario. Further, he holds court twice a month at the suburban Chicago offices of Fiat's agricultural subsidiary, Case New Holland. Obama has publicly praised Marchionne's management, which could see him take a hands-on approach to running the two allied companies similar to how Carlos Ghosn, another highly rated European automotive executive, runs Nissan and Renault.

Chrysler and Fiat have until the end of the month to iron out a plan, but it may be more complicated than straight-up bilateral negotiations, as several third parties also figure into the mix. First is Cerberus Capital Management, which owns a majority stake in Chrysler at the moment. Next up is Daimler, which is still locked in negotiations with Cerberus to offload its remaining stake in Chrysler. After throwing in representatives from the United Auto Workers, some of America's biggest financial institutions (many not faring much better than Chrysler themselves) hold several billions in the company's debt. Sure, Marchionne may get the job, but he's going to have one heck of a time getting all this sorted out.

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

REPORT: Fiat's Marchionne could replace Nardelli as Chrysler CEO in management shake-up royale originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceochief executivechief executive officerChiefExecutiveChiefExecutiveOfficerchryslerchrysler ceochrysler fiatchrysler managementChryslerCeoChryslerFiatChryslerManagementfiat chryslerFiatChryslermarchionneNardellinegotiationssergiosergio marchionneSergioMarchionneMon, 13 Apr 2009 13:27:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1515099/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/04/13/report-fiats-marchionne-could-replace-nardelli-as-chrysler-ceo/1515099/article-detail.xml 1515099 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/marchionne_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/marchionne.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat bringing Iveco trucks stateside early 2008]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/25/fiat-bringing-iveco-trucks-stateside-early-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/25/fiat-bringing-iveco-trucks-stateside-early-2008/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/07/25/fiat-bringing-iveco-trucks-stateside-early-2008/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Fiat group seems to be on a ceaseless campaign to bring its products to the U.S. market. A range of products from Alfa Romeo are in the pipeline for importation, the upcoming high-performance Abarth version of the new Fiat 500 has been tipped to make the trans-Atlantic voyage, and now Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has announced plans to bring the group's heavy truck subsidiary Iveco to the American market. But while the 500 and Alfas may take a while to make the trip, Marchionne has a much tighter time-frame in mind for Iveco, declaring that they company "will have something done within six to nine months." That's mighty soon.

Iveco, short for Industrial Vehicle Corporation, builds close to half a million diesel engines and some 200,000 commercial vehicles every year, including heavy trucks, military vehicles, fire engines, buses, vans and even a formula racing truck that makes NASCAR Craftsman Series trucks look like toys.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Fiat bringing Iveco trucks stateside early 2008 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jul 2007 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>americacommercialfiatgroupivecomarchionnemarketsergiostatestrucksunitedvehiclesWed, 25 Jul 2007 19:37:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/948341/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/07/25/fiat-bringing-iveco-trucks-stateside-early-2008/948341/article-detail.xml 948341 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/iveco-truck-range_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/iveco-truck-range.jpg <![CDATA[See? A car company can turn around. Just ask Fiat]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/see-a-car-company-can-turn-around-just-ask-fiat/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/see-a-car-company-can-turn-around-just-ask-fiat/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/09/see-a-car-company-can-turn-around-just-ask-fiat/#commentsFiled under:

When it comes to turnarounds, Fiat serves as a case study. The Italian institution that rules over Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, and Maserati, trucks, agricultural equipment, construction equipment, and automobile components, lost $1 billion in 2000. Contrast that with 2006, when it posted a 35% jump in revenues year-on-year, and its operating profit was $384 million -- a far cry from the $332 million loss of 2005. Fiat's current market cap is more than that of GM and Ford combined in Europe, at $32.5 billion.

Sergio Marchionne, CEO of the Fiat Group, is the man who led the charge, beginning in 2000 when he was hired from a Swiss firm. CNN has a lengthy profile on the Italian that delves into how he did it. The story will be familiar to all of us: "The car company had the talent, knowledge and skills, but it lacked leadership." It was "a problem of culture - big offices, big waste, and nobody responsible for anything." Too many vehicle discounts. Too many platforms. Too many people doing the same thing across brands. Cars not selling enough. Models not updated. To fix it, Marchionne, an outsider to the auto industry, sheared away excess layers of management, streamlined the design process, rationalized platforms, boosted production, didn't pick fights with the unions, forged partnerships in China, India, Russia, and Turkey, and got out of the partnership with GM (for which Fiat made $2 billion).

Continues after the jump.

Thanks to everyone who sent in a tip!

[Source: CNN]

Continue reading See? A car company can turn around. Just ask Fiat

See? A car company can turn around. Just ask Fiat originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fiatmarchionnesergioturnaroundWed, 09 May 2007 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/891455/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/05/09/see-a-car-company-can-turn-around-just-ask-fiat/891455/article-detail.xml 891455 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/fiat_logo_turnaround_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/05/fiat_logo_turnaround.jpg <![CDATA[Sergio Marchionne steps down as Fiat CEO]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/sergio-marchionne-steps-down-as-fiat-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/sergio-marchionne-steps-down-as-fiat-ceo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/09/sergio-marchionne-steps-down-as-fiat-ceo/#commentsFiled under:

It's shake-up season at the automotive giants. Both Volkswagen and PSA Peugeot-Citroen announced new CEOs just the other day. Ford recently got a new chief, too. Even Ferrari has changed up their management. Next in line is their sister company Fiat: Sergio Marchionne is stepping down as CEO in 2007.

The role Marchionne is vacating is not as head of the entire Fiat group, which controls the bulk of the Italian automotive industry (including Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Iveco trucks), but the Fiat car division specifically. In that role, Marchionne has engineered the revitalization of the brand with the successful Grande Punto and the launch of several new models, including the Sedici, Bravo and Linea. Not bad, especially considering he only took over in February 2005.

Fiat hasn't announced who'll take over for Sergio, but the departing CEO says they'll most definitely be promoting from within rather than recruiting from outside the company. Given Marchionne's success, we wouldn't be surprised to see him take on a new role within the company.

[Source: Detroit News Auto Insider]

Sergio Marchionne steps down as Fiat CEO originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Nov 2006 17:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ceofiatmarchionnesergioThu, 09 Nov 2006 17:11:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/699054/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/11/09/sergio-marchionne-steps-down-as-fiat-ceo/699054/article-detail.xml 699054 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/11/marchionne_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/11/marchionne.jpg -1 2