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+--- Thread: Chrysler/fiat Update: (/showthread.php?tid=1308)
Chrysler/fiat Update: - 2001 ZTS - 06-11-2009
Michael Bettencourt
From Thursday's Globe and Mail, Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2009 04:24PM EDT
Fiat's cutesy 500 hatchback will come to North American shores by the end of 2010, to be sold by Chrysler dealers in the United States, Fiat officials say, although other models using Fiat platforms and engines will be designed and sold as Chrysler-specific vehicles.
At least, that was the timing planned before Chrysler's bankruptcy filing was stayed on Monday, when various U.S. creditors successfully appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court for reconsideration of the deal.
The move throws Chrysler's quick emergence from bankruptcy protection into doubt, while casting a pall over the future of the current deal which would give the United Auto Workers union, the U.S. and Canadian governments, Fiat and creditors equity control of the new Chrysler to start.
Fiat would gain an increasingly larger stake in the company as it brings over technology to share with the new firm, in lieu of cash payments.
Chrysler Canada is not saying whether the 500, the international 2009 Design Car of the Year, will make it to Canada as well. Actually Canadian officials aren't saying anything lately, while Canadian plants and workers remain idled until the American parent company can extricate itself from bankruptcy protection.
Richard Gadeselli, Fiat vice-president of communications in Italy, told industry journal book Automotive News early this month that the 500 would be sold at Chrysler dealers as a Fiat, the only Fiat- branded car coming to North America in the foreseeable future.
Six other small or mid-size models are coming that are underpinned by Fiat architectures, but none would look the same as their Fiat donor vehicles, as these would all be designed as unique Chrysler-specific vehicles, he said.
ââ¬ÅThe vehicles will be U.S. vehicles, designed for U.S. customers by a U.S. company,ââ¬Â he said.
Chrysler/fiat Update: - oldeguy - 06-11-2009
Fiat 500 will be rebadged as a Chrysler Neon.................... The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Just my humble opinion
Chrysler/fiat Update: - ANTHONYD - 06-11-2009
we've been whining for euro cars on this side of the pond for years....if this is the way we have to get them, so be it.
It will be interesting to see how much they change it.
Chrysler/fiat Update: - ZTWsquared - 06-11-2009
ANTHONYD,Jun 11 2009, 07:46 AM Wrote:we've been whining for euro cars on this side of the pond for years....if this is the way we have to get them, so be it.^^ what he said ... there's a lot that can be done to change the essential character of different cars based on the same platform. Isn't the new Fiesta also based on a Fiat?
It will be interesting to see how much they change it.
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Chrysler/fiat Update: - oldeguy - 06-11-2009
ZTWsquared,Jun 11 2009, 08:01 AM Wrote:I think the KA is a Fiat chassisANTHONYD,Jun 11 2009, 07:46 AM Wrote:we've been whining for euro cars on this side of the pond for years....if this is the way we have to get them, so be it.^^ what he said ... there's a lot that can be done to change the essential character of different cars based on the same platform. Isn't the new Fiesta also based on a Fiat?
It will be interesting to see how much they change it.
[right][snapback]289301[/snapback][/right]
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What I found interesting is that J.D. Powers did a poll on car manufacturers reliability, and Fiat was the worst in Europe and Chrysler was the worst in North America
Chrysler/fiat Update: - Scorcher000 - 06-11-2009
Lol a match made in hell.
Chrysler/fiat Update: - paolo - 06-16-2009
The Chrystler 500c hatch back, italian job edition would be a nice model for them to release
Chrysler/fiat Update: - 2001 ZTS - 06-16-2009
Anyway........................ :unsure:
Something I wasn't aware of is that the Fiat 500 shares quite a bit with the Ford Ka.
Chrysler/fiat Update: - ZX3_2NV - 06-16-2009
and if they make the 500 here Ford might aswell make the Ka at the same plant if chrysler would let that happen lol I se a big fight coming up.
Chrysler/fiat Update: - 2001 ZTS - 06-16-2009
It wouldn't really be Chrysler's call anymore would it? ;)
Anyway, the current 500/Ka is apparantly made at a plant in Poland.
http://wot.motortrend.com/6540932/we-hear/...idea/index.html