International forecasting firm IHS Global Insight has released a detailed report on how it thinks the Chrysler/Fiat alliance will shake out over the new few years.
A few highlights:
- Alfa Romeo 169 moves to the LX platform
- Jeep-badged Panda debuts in July of 2011
- Dodge Caliber, Dodge Journey, Chrysler Sebring and Jeep Liberty move to Fiat's C-EVO platform
- Dodge Hornet starts production in 2011 on Fiat 199 platform
- Fiat 500 goes into production in Mexico for July 2011 release in the U.S.
More details after the jump.
- The Alfa 169 will be built at the Bramalea Production facility in Brampton, Ontario on the LX platform that also underpins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. Production will begin in November 2011 for model year (MY) 2012.
- The start of production of the Dodge Charger '11 has been delayed to November 2010, and the Chrysler 300 '11 is delayed until January 2011 because of the plant closures in 2009 resulting from the bankruptcy of Chrysler LLC.
- The Fiat 500 will be produced in Toluca, Mexico for sale in the United States beginning in July 2011. The Fiat 500 is built on the 169 platform and is expected to reach a sales volume of 25,000 units in 2015. The Fiat 500 will be the only Fiat-badged model sold in the United States. It is a subcompact that competes with the MINI.
- Also being produced in Toluca on the 169 platform will be the Jeep Panda. Production will begin in July 2011, with expected volumes of 35,000 units per year. The Jeep Panda will be based on the Fiat Panda Cross that is sold worldwide with annual volume of 200,000 units in 2009.
- The next-generation Dodge Journey will be built on the Fiat C-EVO platform at the Toluca Assembly Plant beginning in April 2011.
- In addition to the Dodge Journey, the replacement for the Chrysler Sebring, known as the Chrysler Mid-Sedan, will begin production in Toluca in June 2011 on the Fiat C-EVO platform.
- The Alfa Romeo GTX will be built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant beginning in July 2011. It will be built on the WL platform that also underpins the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Alfa GTX will be sold worldwide with expected sales volumes of 30,000 units per year.
- The next-generation Dodge Caliber will be built on the Fiat C-EVO platform at the Belvidere Assembly Plant. Production will begin in July 2012.
- Production and sales of the Jeep Compass and Jeep Patriot will end in 2012.
- Production of the Dodge Hornet (Fiat based) will begin at the Belvidere Assembly Plant in March 2011. It will be built on the Fiat 199 platform. The Hornet is a subcompact that was to be supplied by Nissan, but the relationship between Chrysler and Fiat places the agreement with Nissan in jeopardy.
- Production of the Alfa Romeo MiTo for sales in North America will begin in July 2011 at the Belvidere Assembly Plant. The Alfa MiTo will be built on the Fiat 199 platform that will also underpin the Dodge Hornet. The Alfa MiTo is a three-door hatchback with sporty styling.
- The next-generation Jeep Liberty will begin production in Toledo, Ohio during July 2012. The Liberty will be built on the Fiat-based C-EVO platform. The Alfa SUV-C also will be produced in Toledo on the C-EVO platform.
Global Insight: The Fiat/Chrysler Alliance Is Finally a Reality - What Comes Next?
firstwagon says:
02:56 PM, 06/11/09
Should be quite an interesting collection of all new cars.
Too bad we have to wait 2 to 3 years to see them but I guess you can't do such a big change over night.
jstandefer says:
03:05 PM, 06/11/09
Can Chrysler even last that long? Or will they be surviving on taxpayer money until then? And why keep the Caliber around? Why not replace it with something to compete with Corolla, Civic, Focus, Mazda3, Cobalt, etc.? Chrysler's lack of a small car is one reason why they couldn't compete when fuel prices skyrocketed. Hopefully, Chrysler/Fiat won't be taking this organization's advice.
compliance says:
03:30 PM, 06/11/09
How do I get paid to make crap up? I learned about this educated guess thing in middle school!
stephen987 says:
03:35 PM, 06/11/09
If this is what happens, Fiat will have instantly devalued the Alfa Romeo brand as disastrously as GM did with Saab.
dino6 says:
04:13 PM, 06/11/09
Sounds reasonable. Platform sharing is done by all companies from every country and it is how you do it that matters.
Even if Alfa Romeo shares platforms with Chrysler products, as long as they have different interiors, strategically placed exterior differences, different suspension tuning and different engines, as well as Marketing that positions them differently, then it can work. Even the same engines can be used, and with today's computers be mapped quite differently; put a new exhaust system for a different sound and new cam/air filter covers, and most people won't be able to tell they share the mechanical bits.
The key issue is the dealership network. Can Dodge/Chrysler dealers sell Alfas/Fiats and not mess it up?
adavis2493 says:
04:55 PM, 06/11/09
I can't wait for the 500. That is one classy car. Hopefully it will prevent people from buying the aged VW Beetle.
stephen987 says:
05:12 PM, 06/11/09
I have nothing against platform sharing. But an Alfa SUV makes about as much sense as a Ferrari minivan.
crashtestdingo says:
05:19 PM, 06/11/09
[The 500] is a subcompact that competes with the MINI.
Aren't the 500 and MINI minicompacts (A-segment) rather than subcompacts (B-segment)?
estreka says:
07:11 PM, 06/11/09
A poor-handling Alfa is an awful idea, especially an SUV. I think Alfa's product portfolio is diluted already, don't make it worse! Alfa should be a Porsche competitor, not a MG competitor.
The earliest production I saw was Nov 2011. Can Fiat's finances hold out that long?
bankerdanny says:
08:44 PM, 06/11/09
As an Illinois resident it's nice to see that the folks at the Belvidere plant (up near the Illinois Wisconsin border) is going to be busy.
firstwagon says:
07:37 AM, 06/12/09
estreka
I think Alfa would like to be a Porsche competitor which is why they want an SUV and a large sedan.
Porsche has them, why shouldn't Alfa?
The current Grand Cherokee handles well for a truck, the next one should be even better.
uncanny_man says:
11:25 AM, 06/12/09
If the EVER make a jeep panda, I'm throwing a freak'n hissing fit! How is this fiat fling a good idea again?
firstwagon says:
11:32 AM, 06/12/09
Did you throw "a freak'n hissing fit" when they made the Compass and Patriot?
If they have to make a Jeep crossover, at least the Panda is a good car to start with.
hubemx says:
12:26 PM, 06/12/09
We already have the Panda in Mexico and it´s a nice car but it has two problems:
-The semi - manual transmission with automatic clutch it´s awful!! a really pain in the ass(worse than the smart semi-manual transmission). The call it "Dualogic".
-The second problem it´s the really slow motor with only 60 CV @ 5,000 rpm. Your grandmother in a bicycle can beat this car. They should put the engine T-Jet with 120cv from the Grande Punto.
hubemx says:
12:30 PM, 06/12/09
Price in Mexico:
Manual:
139,900.00 pesos = 10,433.20 USD
Semi - Manual:
149,900.00 pesos = 11,175.91 USD
hubemx says:
12:34 PM, 06/12/09
Panda 4x4 manual:
179,900 pesos = 13,422.88 USD
carswapper says:
06:22 AM, 06/13/09
The nails in Jeeps coffin came with the introduction of the Patriot and Compass. The Panda is just the first shovel full of dirt.
firstwagon says:
10:53 AM, 06/13/09
Panda 4x4s are actually quite popular for off roading in Europe (check it out on youtube).
I agree it will never be a real jeep in the sense of the CJ, YJ, TJ, and JK but if automakers are going to insist on cashing in on the name to sell to people who only want the name( or look) then it's a good platform to use.
rick8365 says:
06:48 AM, 06/16/09
"How do I get paid to make crap up? I learned about this educated guess thing in middle school!"
LOL! Agreed!
machine_man says:
09:37 AM, 06/17/09
I don't like the tall roofline of the Panda, but the front looks nice. The Jeep commander, Dodge durango, Dodge Nitro, Chrysler Aspen.... were the first nails in Jeep's cofin.
carswapper says:
02:21 PM, 06/17/09
Actually if you want to take it further...Daimler(mercedes benz) was the first nail. They bought chrysler group for the cash stockpile they had, sucked the company dry in order to keep benz afloat, gave Chrysler nothing in return, destroyed chrysler financial then sold the entire corpse to Cerberus who clearly doesnt have a clue. Jeep has been tossed around and abused like a red headed step child for years along with chrysler. Is it my imagination or do the Germans seem to do alot of "takeover, plunder and retreat" behaviors? I'll defer to the French to answer that question.