Thread Rating:
  • 0 Vote(s) - 0 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Chrysler/fiat Update:
#1
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.

“The vehicles will be U.S. vehicles, designed for U.S. customers by a U.S. company,” he said.
2001 Focus ZTS 2004 WRX
"I'm just here for the camping"
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=687620231
TEAM P.I.T.A. FTW!
Reply
#2
Fiat 500 will be rebadged as a Chrysler Neon.................... The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Just my humble opinion
Proud member of the CDan nation.
2000 White ZTS: retired
2012 Frosted Glass SEL: active
K&N Filter.....
Reply
#3
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.
Reply
#4
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.

It will be interesting to see how much they change it.
[right][snapback]289301[/snapback][/right]
^^ 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?
2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P

2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway


New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come

* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *
Reply
#5
ZTWsquared,Jun 11 2009, 08:01 AM Wrote:
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.

It will be interesting to see how much they change it.
[right][snapback]289301[/snapback][/right]
^^ 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?
[right][snapback]289303[/snapback][/right]
I think the KA is a Fiat chassis
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
Proud member of the CDan nation.
2000 White ZTS: retired
2012 Frosted Glass SEL: active
K&N Filter.....
Reply
#6
Lol a match made in hell.
Currently - 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE 4X4 Work Truck. Needs a Super Charger
2012 F150 Eco Boost Work Truck < Died several times and now it's some farmer problem.
No Longer Sleeping/In Surgery Having A Heart Transplant - 2005 Focus ZX5 Sonic Blue Modified
Sold - 1992 Astro Van CS Sky Blue Stock
Sold - 1994 Excel 2DR HB Teal First Car

Reply
#7
The Chrystler 500c hatch back, italian job edition would be a nice model for them to release
My other ride is your Mom
Reply
#8
Anyway........................ :unsure:

Something I wasn't aware of is that the Fiat 500 shares quite a bit with the Ford Ka.
2001 Focus ZTS 2004 WRX
"I'm just here for the camping"
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=687620231
TEAM P.I.T.A. FTW!
Reply
#9
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.
DruZX3 You Tube Page
My Rides on Car Domain

2001 Ford Focus ZX3 - Daily Driver
2008 Lincoln MKX Limited Edition - Grocery Getter
2007 Suzuki GSXR 600 - Rode and Sold
2004 Jeep Liberty Renegade - Offroaded and Sold
2008 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited X - R.I.P. Electrical Fire
2000 Ford Focus ZX3 - Traded in Now DrunkinMonkeys Car
2003 Ford Taurus Wagon - Inherited Drove and Sold
2000 Ford Focus ZX3 Turbo - Award Winning 336 WHP - Parted and Scraped
1990 Ford Festiva - My 1st Car

[Image: ZX3PixelCarEngineVIEW.png]
Reply
#10
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
2001 Focus ZTS 2004 WRX
"I'm just here for the camping"
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=687620231
TEAM P.I.T.A. FTW!
Reply


Possibly Related Threads...
Thread Author Replies Views Last Post
  Fiat Bying Into Chrysler Scorcher000 9 3,019 01-27-2009, 08:40 AM
Last Post: ZTWsquared
  Chrysler Recalls Chrysler 300,charger, Magnum Etc. Frost__2001 6 2,998 05-10-2006, 12:07 AM
Last Post: scoobasteve

Forum Jump:


Users browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)