Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises

Fiat 500 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Chrysler Group is only a few months away from bringing the Fiat brand back to the United States, starting with the launch of the too-cute 500 later this year. The automaker will be holding a Fiat Experience event in Detroit at the end of August, and around 600 dealers from around the country have been invited to attend.

These 600 dealers are located in cities where Chrysler is planning to have Fiat franchises – a total of 119 different markets around the country. The Fiat Experience program will give dealers a detailed overview of Chrysler's exact plans for the brand in the U.S., and dealers will be allowed to submit proposals for snagging a Fiat franchise through mid-September.

No, not all of these 600 dealers will be approved for Fiat franchises, and Chrysler will be announcing its final list of Fiat locations in the fourth quarter of 2010. Hit the jump to see the current list of market considerations to find out if a Fiat dealer might be heading to a city near you.


View 51 Photos

[Source: Chrysler]
Show full PR text
Chrysler Group LLC Invites Dealers to Fiat Experience

- About 600 Chrysler Group LLC dealers invited to the Fiat Experience
- Chrysler Group to present details on Fiat retail network plans
- Interested dealers to submit Fiat dealership proposals in September
- Dealers to be chosen for Fiat franchises in early October

August 9, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich.
Chrysler Group LLC has invited about 600 of its dealers to attend the Fiat Experience on Aug. 30 in Detroit as it takes another step closer to reintroducing the Fiat brand, starting with the new Fiat 500, in the United States later this year.

The approximately 600 dealers were informed today that they are in one of the U.S. markets where Chrysler Group is currently planning representation for the Fiat brand. Chrysler Group has identified 119 markets in the U.S. with strong small-car registrations and growth potential in the small-car segment over the next five years.

The Fiat Experience will provide the dealers with a comprehensive overview of Chrysler Group's plans for Fiat in the U.S. Dealers may submit proposals for a Fiat franchise through Sept. 22.

"The requirements for Fiat are straightforward: separate sales and display at launch, transitioning to a full dealership facility as the volume grows," said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group's Vice President of Network Development and Fleet. "Our goal is to establish a retail network appropriately sized to serve the market opportunity."

The email was sent to dealers today from Grady and Laura Soave, Head of Fiat North America.

Chrysler Group, in selecting its Fiat dealers, will consider a number of measures, including:

- Dealer sales performance
- Plan for a separate Fiat facility
- Comprehensive marketing plan
- Compliance on dealer standards
- Proper capitalization

Chrysler Group will announce its Fiat dealers in the fourth quarter.

Current U.S. Fiat Market Considerations – By State

Alabama

Birmingham

Arkansas
Little Rock

Arizona
Phoenix
Tucson

California
Los Angeles
Orange County
Palm Springs
Riverside
San Diego
San Fernando
San Gabriel
Ventura County
Concord
Oakland
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
San Rafael
Colorado
Denver

Connecticut
Bristol
Hartford
Bridgeport
Stamford
New Haven

Delaware
Wilmington

Florida
Daytona Beach
Ft. Lauderdale-Broward
Fort Myers
Jacksonville
Miami-Dade
Orlando
Sarasota
St. Petersburg
Tampa
New Port Richey
Winter Haven
Palm Beach
Bradenton
Venice
Melbourne

Georgia
Atlanta
Newnan

Hawaii
Honolulu

Illinois
Chicago South
Chicago Central
Chicago North
Chicago West
Collinsville

Indiana
Indianapolis
Gary

Kansas
Kansas City

Kentucky
Louisville

Louisiana
New Orleans

Massachusetts
Boston
Springfield
Worcester

Maryland
Baltimore
Frederick
Washington

Maine
Portland

Michigan
Detroit

Minnesota
Minneapolis

Missouri
St. Louis

Nebraska
Omaha

Nevada
Las Vegas

New Jersey
Bergen- Passaic
Essex N. Union
Mid Union
Morris
Flemington

New Mexico
Albuquerque

New York
Bronx
Brooklyn
Manhattan
Nassau
Queens
South Hampton
Spring Valley
Staten Island
Suffolk
Westchester
Albany
Buffalo
Rochester
Newburgh

North Carolina
Charlotte
Raleigh/Durham

Ohio
Cincinnati
Columbus
Dayton
Cleveland
Akron
Toledo

Oklahoma
Oklahoma City
Tulsa

Oregon
Portland

Pennsylvania
Allentown
Philadelphia
Greensburg
Pittsburgh

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island
Providence

Tennessee
Chattanooga
Memphis
Nashville

Texas
Austin
Houston
San Antonio
Dallas
Fort Worth
El Paso

Utah
Salt Lake City

Virginia
Fredericksburg
Hampton
Norfolk
Richmond
Fairfax

Washington
Seattle
Tacoma

Wisconsin
Milwaukee

Share This Photo X