Fiat Models Drive Chrysler

WSJ On-Line ^ | OCTOBER 27, 2009 | KATE LINEBAUGH and NEAL E. BOUDETTE

[Pontiac]

Four months after exiting a U.S.-funded bankruptcy reorganization, Chrysler Group LLC is about to unveil a product roadmap that relies heavily on vehicles from Italian partner Fiat SpA while abandoning many of the U.S. car maker's own models.

The plan, due to be revealed Nov. 4, involves the return of Fiat's premium, sporty Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. starting in 2012, according to people briefed on the plans. Chrysler also will introduce to Americans the 500, Fiat's tiny car that is popular in Europe.

The company meantime is preparing to phase out many of the company's current models, particularly Dodge cars.

Fiat and Chrysler are working to create several new vehicles with Fiat technology for the U.S. market, including a midsize Chrysler-brand sedan slated to be released in 2012, according to these people.

The sweeping changes represent a big gamble for Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne, who has staked his reputation on the turnaround. Mr. Marchionne, who revamped Fiat as its CEO, appears to be creating a lineup that stays true to Chrysler's strengths in blue-collar muscle cars and pickup trucks while adding European-styled vehicles to attract a new, more white-collar customer.

[Pontiac]

Eliminating the Avenger from the Dodge line (and maybe the Caliber) may not be a bad idea, but they need to keep their hands off the Challenger, the Charger and the Viper. These are some of the best cars to come out of Detroit in decades.

[Moose4]

Fix It Again, Tony.

}:-)4

[Bertha Fanation]

A hungry dog will eat a dirty pudding

[clintonh8r]

FIAT products are a far cry from what they were when the company left the US market in the 80s. In fact, I had a FIAT Strada and thought it was a great car. The only disappointment is that I’ll have to wait a couple of years to get a 500.

[nascarnation]

We know Chrysler is alive until Nov 2012.
After that, I wouldn’t take any bets

[taildragger]

Heads up...

My auto gnome that predicted (they have the supporting documents) the demise of DCC three years ago or more with the "300" has a new prediction...

The Ram line was spun off seperate about 2 weeks ago, no one notice, my gnome did.

They believe they will drop Chrysler, and Dodge, and it will be Fiat, Alfa, Ram/Jeep....

You heard it here 1st.....

[AndyJackson]

Here is the Alfa 159. This is a hot car all over the world, and one of the sweetest cars I have ever driven. The reason Alfa left the US is because the dealers were all crooks. Repair was no worse than anything else, but unless you found a local Italian mechanic who could be trusted, you were in trouble.

[staytrue]

I thought the caliber was a nice design. Unfortunately, it was dead last in JD Power quality, had a cheap engine and cheap parts all the way round.

I think the only chrysler products worth keeping are the 300, the minivan, charger, and dodge trucks.

I’d kill all the rest.

[RobRoy]

>>My auto gnome that predicted (they have the supporting documents) the demise of DCC three years ago or more with the “300” has a new prediction...<<

I think you dropped the L. I believe you mean’t LDCC:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEPxc3RW4js

[Noumenon]

I had a 124 Spyder for a while. Back in the late 60s. It sucked.

[SERKIT]

This will doom an already crippled company, but Barry will bail it out one more time.
Finance It Again, TARP.

[mamelukesabre]

The minivans, trucks and jeep are the only thing worth a dam at chrysler, imo.

Fiat would be stupid to drop the minivans.

[staytrue]

They will keep the minivan because it is number 2.

Jack Welch at GE got rid of any product line that was not 1 or 2 and never did an acquisition if it was not 1 or 2.

[mono]

I agree that the Challenger, Charger and Viper are nice cars, but that are not selling all that well and the new management may not retain them as loss leaders.

August Sales...
Chevy Camaro 8680 units
Ford Mustang 6289
Dodge Challenger 1132

[taildragger]

Yes you are correct. 300,000 units. They will keep it. Before the demise, we discussed the vans were one of a few things that might end up on the auction block....

[truth_seeker]

“Fiat would be stupid to drop the minivans.”

The minivan must be pretty good.

VW decided to use it, rather than develop one on their own.

[Pontiac]

I think the only chrysler products worth keeping are the 300, the minivan, charger, and dodge trucks.

How can you discard the Viper?

[mylife]

The Fiat QUBO coming to a showroom near you.

I say FUBO!

[Pontiac]

One thing Obama needs to do to save the US auto industry that he most certainly will not do is repeal the gas guzzler tax.

The cars the the US makes that can most compete are large mussel cars and large luxury cars.

both of which get killed by the guzzler tax.

[mamelukesabre]

What about the clam cars, snail cars, and oyster cars?

[mamelukesabre]

looks like a ford transit. only smaller.

[editor-surveyor]

The Obamamobile!

All it needs is a pair of ear-shaped wings sticking out from the door pillars.

[mylife]

L0L!

[mylife]

Its all FIAT

[editor-surveyor]

"They believe they will drop Chrysler, and Dodge, and it will be Fiat, Alfa, Ram/Jeep"

Still to many people that had to junk their expensive Alfas and Fiats because they couldn't get a distributor cap or points.

[raybbr]

What about the clam cars, snail cars, and oyster cars?

And, I was going to modify a mussel and put wheels on it. Yours was quicker and pretty funny.

[raybbr]

How about a mussel carriage?

[Nuc1]

I'd buy a Challenger if I could afford a good one. Last Challenger I worked over was a 1971 440 6 pack. A sweet, pretty machine. And it would haul. Fiat...Alpha...Ha!! The Challenger's starter motor was bigger than their engines!

Currently, GE is talking about "The American Renewal" on Fox News. My country doesn't renewal, it needs seditious b@stards rounded up. And more drilling and coal to oil so I can build and fuel some more hot stuff.

[nascarnation]

The Viper sells between 1000 and 1500 units a year.
Most likely a financial sinkhole.

[Nuc1]

Yeah, that’ll sell. FUGLY

[Nuc1]

The cars the the US makes that can most compete are large mussel cars and large luxury cars.

No offense but that is muscle cars. No clams in those engines. :D)

[mylife]

Not convinced eh?

Fiat Qubo Silly name, sensible vehicle
By Richard Hammond on January 16, 2009 1:00 AM in Richard Hammond’s Friday column

Q for Qubo SILLY name, sensible vehicle.

The Fiat Qubo, based on the Grand Punto, goes on sale this month starting at £9,750.

It has a 1.3-litre diesel or 1.4- litre petrol engine. Qubo has five seats, sliding rear doors and 2,500 litres of load space.

The diesel model will be available with Fiat’s six-speed semi-automatic gearbox..

[moovova]

I was stationed in Sicily in the mid-70’s. Had a Fiat 600...slightly bigger than the “cinquacento/500”. They were great little scooting-around cars when you’re in your early 20’s, drinking lot’sa vino and just plain having fun in Italy...especially the 500’s with the “suicide doors”...the doors that were rear-hinged with the handle towards the “front”. Of course, gas was SOOOOO expensive even then.

But I’m not so sure I would want to drive around in a 500 in the US now. Wouldn’t want one of my kids in one either. Just too darn small.

[Richard Kimball]

Looks like it was designed by Dr. Seuss.

I do not like it Sam I am, green cars that look like cans of ham...

[mylife]

Check out the gay advertising campaign...

[advance_copy]

Fiat 500 - Chrysler is going to start selling this crap in the US. Will Obama will push legislation to force us to buy it?

[The Antiyuppie]

I think the Challenger is hurting because people are afraid to buy it. Also, the Camaro is a better value. The Challenger you actually WANT is very expensive.

[mylife]

They are going probably force this on us too “Eco Drive”

http://www.fiat.com/ecodrive/

[Nuc1]

Not convinced eh?

[JoeMac]

Fix it again Tony! Beat me to it! Ford= Found On Road Dead.

[JoeMac]

Fix it again Tony! Beat me to it! Ford= Found On Road Dead.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

The plan, due to be revealed Nov. 4, involves the return of Fiat's premium, sporty Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. starting in 2012, according to people briefed on the plans.

This is a good thing. I had a chance to drive the Alfa 156 in Europe for a couple of weeks several years ago - great looks and a fun car to drive. Alfa Romeo comes up with some of the more interesting designs, nice to know the US will have access to this brand once again.

[Kenny Bunk]

Where the (expletive deleted) are the FIAT Diesels?!

[Richard Kimball]

Wow. That’s Danny Kaye gay.

[Clemenza]

The mistake with the current Charger is that it is a four door. One of my faves otherwise.

[MediaMole]

Do new FIATs still rust the moment they drive over a piece of salt in the road?

[equaviator]

What's this, the new "Gummy Car"?

[Red Badger]

They probably don’t have the production capacity to bring them here. Diesels are selling extremely well in Eurabia............

[Kenny Bunk]

I am giving up. I have 1500 gallons of stabilized diesel fuel that came off a shrimper. I had dreams of driving my new FIAT Diesel to Buenos Aires and back with it, and then visiting Alaska. I guess I will just have to use it to heat the homestead and shop this winter.

If we get the promised Global Warming, perhaps I can save it until next year. There is a nice Peugeot Diesel 504 Wagon for sale in Chicoutimi, maybe I'll pick that up instead.

[Red Badger]

A 2010 VW Jetta TDI is a nice consolation vehicle!...................;^)