Only a week after the two companies announced their intentions to enter into an alliance, word is leaking out about the specific products that will be coming to the U.S., should the Chrysler-Fiat tie-up be approved.
Automotive News is reporting that the companies will bring seven new vehicles to the U.S. market, four wearing badges from a division of Chrysler and three as Fiats or Alfa-Romeos. Those vehicles would be built in North American Chrysler plants and sold through Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep dealers, according to the trade journal's anonymous source. There's no indication when the final plan will be in place, but teams from both automakers are apparently shooting for an April 30 deadline.
Not unexpectedly, Fiat will produce the 500 retro dumpling for sale in North America in Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant where the Dodge Journey and Chrysler PT Cruiser are built.
But Chrysler clearly needs more than just a mini-car to revive its weak passenger-car lineup. In fact, save for the next generation 300C and Dodge Charger, there won't be much in the future Chrysler car lineup that won't be a Fiat at heart. Join us after the jump for the full slightly speculative round-up.
A-Class: As noted, Fiat will get its long-held wish to sell the successful 500 mini-car in the U.S. We'll see what, if anything, Ford has to say about that. The blue oval builds the Ka city car on the same platform as the 500. Globalization is tricky business. A second five-door mini-car will be based off of the Fiat Panda platform will be badged a Chrysler or Dodge.
B-Class: According to AN, the global alliance will also aim to sell the wide-eyed subcompact from Alfa-Romeo, the MiTo here. There might also be a Chrysler/Dodge brand version.
C-class/D-class: We can expect two vehicles from Fiat's up coming C-Evo platform: A possible replacement for the unloved Dodge Avenger/Chrysler Sebring duo and also the next generation of the Alf-Romeo 147 hatchback.
Stay tuned, this is far from over.
dougtheeng says:
07:09 AM, 01/26/09
I'm looking forward to this. The current Dodge/Chrysler line up pains me, so these are very interesting options.
TSRocket says:
08:34 AM, 01/26/09
I can't wait to see Fiat and Alfa back in the US. Looks like I may have to sell the Audi!
arm51 says:
09:06 AM, 01/26/09
I'd love for the Alfa-Romeo 147 to come over! The combination of great styling and a hatchback do it for me.
jederino says:
12:54 PM, 01/26/09
Yes, love the possibilities, here. Chrysler has designed interesting sheet metal in the Crossfire and 300c, so I'm curious about what they will do on these platforms. I hope reliability will be thrown in the mix, too, as neither company has a stellar reputation. However, I'd take "average" reliability scores for designs like these!
hondacura4 says:
02:02 PM, 01/26/09
What platform will the next 300/Charger/Challenger use since the current is from the mid 90s MB E Klasse?
desmolicious says:
02:14 PM, 01/26/09
I fear for the quality of made in Mexico FIATS (not kidding!). We'll see.
bankerdanny says:
02:20 PM, 01/26/09
Chrysler/Alfa eh, well at least we'll get some decent small engines and handling to go with the crappy quality.
albook says:
02:23 PM, 01/26/09
None of those cars look good to me. Hopefully Chrysler can do something 300-like with the sheetmetal.
greenpony says:
06:22 PM, 01/26/09
200C! It's the car the Sebring should have been!
alman08 says:
09:00 PM, 01/28/09
not that i have the money for it now, but i'd sure like to see the alfa 169 selling here in the states
stephen987 says:
07:16 AM, 05/ 1/09
Fiat should be the "Cheap and Cheerful" brand, marketing the 500 and maybe the Panda along with some of their odder Euro models like the Multipla and the Qubo. By expanding the market rather than competing directly with any existing brands, Fiat becomes "hip" the way MINI has.
Dodge should be the "American muscle" brand, marketing ONLY the pickups and the Challenger/Charger. The brand for NASCAR fans.
Jeep should market only Jeeps. At most they might borrow a diesel engine from Fiat for the Wrangler. Build on tradition here.
Chrysler could become the mainstream brand, building its own version of the Fiat Linea (a sedan built off the Grande Punto platform) alongside the 300, a Bravo-based midsize sedan, and the minivans.