Fiat to make Chrysler into . . . Fiat

[bike123]

I wonder if this is the end of Dodge and the Dodge Charger police package.

Fiat to make Chrysler into . . . Fiat

The Italian carmaker expects to reintroduce Alfa Romeo to the US market and add many models that work in Europe. Many old US models will be phased out. Posted by Charley Blaine on Monday, October 26, 2009 7:25 PM. Four months after exiting a U.S.-funded bankruptcy reorganization, Chrysler Group is about to unveil a product roadmap that relies heavily on vehicles from Italian partner Fiat (FIATY) while abandoning many of the U.S. carmaker's own models. The plan, due to be unveiled Nov. 4, involves the reintroduction of Fiat's premium, sporty Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S. starting in 2012, The Wall Street Journal reported this afternoon. Chrysler also will introduce the 500, Fiat's tiny car that is popular in Europe, to Americans. It won't, however, attach the Fiat name to it. Chrysler meantime is preparing to phase out many of its current models, particularly Dodge cars, the Journal said. Fiat and Chrysler are working to create several new vehicles with Fiat technology for the U.S. market, including a midsize Chrysler-brand sedan to be released in 2012. The sweeping changes, due to play out over the next two to three years, represent a big gamble for Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne, who has staked his reputation on the turnaround. Marchionne, who successfully revamped Fiat, appears to be creating a vehicle lineup that stays true to Chrysler's blue-collar muscle-car and pickup roots while adding European-style vehicles to attract a new, more white-collar customer. But in the short term, Marchionne's task is to keep the company afloat until 2012 when the bulk of the new offerings will come to the U.S. Chrysler is faced now with shrinking market share and few new models coming to market. While it doesn't disclose its finances, Fiat has said repeatedly it won't inject any money into Chrysler despite receiving a 20% ownership stake in the company's reorganization. Instead, it is contributing technology and management expertise. "The biggest issue this company has is getting through the next few years," Rebecca Lindland, an automotive analyst at IHS Global Insight, told the Journal. "They are going to have a hard time maintaining market share, let alone increasing it."

[universible]

Wouldn't hold my breath...they've been talking about reintroducing Alfa for over 8 years now.

[Jedi]

Alfa Romeo police package?

[universible]

Always Looking For Another....Donut Shop?

[kennethm3]

How long do you expect Chrysler to build cars based on the previous generation Mercedez Benz's running gear, especially now that MB has divested itself of Chrysler? RWD Chryslers would have been on the way out much sooner than they are if Fiat hadn't ridden in to the rescue. As for phasing out Dodge cars, there are only three, the Charger/Challenger, the Calibre, and the Avenger. The first wont meet CAFE for long and the other two are junk, especially the Avenger. I don't count the Viper because it looks like Viper will soon be sold as a stand-alone company. Chrysler needs FWD cars that will improve their corporate average fuel economy, re-badged Fiats will do that and give Fiat their "in" to re-enter the U.S. market. The buy-in to Chrysler was about one thing, and one thing only; the dealer network.

[Dave1068]

My friend in high school had an old fiat and he referred to it as:

F.. Italian Automotive Trash

Curious to see how this pans out

[SIU]

I don't know if they will be so quick to get rid of the Charger and Challenger. With the Vic dead the pedestal is open for tops in the American police car arena. Chevy is coming back with the Impala and Ford is working on a police pkge Taurus based off the SHO version. Not sure if Fiat wants to lose whatever percentage of the police car market Dodge has already secured.

Also, from a muscle car fans standpoint, the big 3 are in the middle of a muscle car war right now. Even with all the focus on "green" vehicles, horsepower numbers for the Camaro and Mustang are at an all time high. The return of the Z28 has fans speculating the 556 hp 6.2L SC LS9 and the 2011 GT500 with all aluminum 5.4 SC with close to 600 hp. Every automotive comparison article with the Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, the Challenger finishes dead last. Dodge needs to do something ASAP with the Challenger or otherwise they will lose any market share in that segment also. On top of reputation and bragging rights in all areas of motorsports and automotive circles.

Also CAFE requirements are for the entire line of cars and/or trucks an automotive manufacture produces, not the individual vehicle. As long as the average fuel economy of the passenger car line up meets the CAFE requirements the Charger and Challenger will be safe. Like you said Fiat needs to introduce more fuel efficient passenger car vehicles under the Dodge brand. Also Fiat needs to improve Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler's customer service , parts department service and the overall dealer experience.

P.S. I drove a Toyota Yaris for a week while on vacation and after that experience, I have no problem paying for gas in my 06 Mustang GT. I consider it a hybrid vehicle because it burns both rubber and gas………..lol

[dmclark]

According to the WSJ yesterday, Chrysler/Fiat will not do away with the Charger. They've got a list of Dodge products (PT Cruiser, Grand MiniVan) as well as Jeep Compass and others.

Big issue is can Chrysler stay afloat for 2 years until new FIAT products hit the markets. Fiat has pledged it will invest no new dollars into Chrysler, so the Charger will be a mainstay for them for the foreseeable future.

[papimike]

Thank heavens. Doing away with the very popular Charger would be just as disastrous as when Ford got rid of the Taurus. --Their top selling car (henceforth why the Taurus is coming back). Or just as disastrous as when the entire U.S. automotive industry failed to build reliable vehicles (a task they could've easily done if they wanted to) and keep up with the Japanese and other foreign automakers.

[kennethm3]

Models On Their Way Out

• Jeep Patriot (end of 2012)
• Jeep Compass (end of 2012)
• Jeep Commander (end of 2010, may continue being sold internationally)
• Chrysler PT Cruiser (end of 2010)
• Dodge Dakota (mid 2011)
• Dodge Caliber (mid 2012)
• Dodge Viper (mid 2011, may return in 2012)

New Models That Are Coming

• Jeep compact SUV (2013, supplied by Fiat, may be Panda)
• Jeep small CUV (2013, supplied by Fiat, replaces Patriot and Compass)
• Jeep Liberty (2013, replaced by Fiat product but retains name)
• Chrysler small car (2013, supplied by Fiat)
• Chrysler compact sedan (2012, supplied by Fiat, replaces PT Cruiser)
• Chrysler Sebring (2013, replaced by Fiat product but retains name)
• Chrysler midsize CUV (2013, supplied by Fiat)
• Ram midsize unibody pickup (under consideration for 2011)
• Ram large and small commercial van (2012, supplied by Fiat)
• Dodge small car (2013, supplied by Fiat)
• Dodge compact sedan (2012, supplied by Fiat)
• Dodge Avenger (major update 2010, replaced by Fiat product 2013)
• Dodge full-size CUV (2010)
• Fiat 500 (late 2010, convertible 2011, Abarth 2012)

Models Staying, Receiving Attention

• Jeep Wrangler Diesel (2010/2011, not confirmed for U.S. market... yet)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee (all-new 2010)
• Chrysler 300C (all-new 2010)
• Chrysler Town & Country (major update 2010, next-gen 2014)
• Ram 1500/2500/3500 (major update 2012)
• Dodge Journey (major update 2010)
• Dodge Nitro (major update 2011 under consideration)
• Dodge Challenger (refresh 2011)
• Dodge Charger (all-new 2010)
• Dodge Grand Caravan (major update 2010, next-gen 2014)

UPDATE: You can dive whole hog into the plan yourself at Chrysler's website.

[DennisNJ]

My friend in high school had an old fiat and he referred to it as:

F.. Italian Automotive Trash

Foreign Idiots Attempting Transportation