Chrysler, Fiat move ahead with product planning
November 5, 2009 by Matt Brogan
The latest product planning from Chrysler-Fiat will see some American favourites dumped and replaced by new lightweight Italians, beginning with the Dodge Viper in mid-2010.
Chrysler says it will build just 500 more Vipers, with a replacement “under consideration” for mid-2012 – but unlikely to be anything like the original halo car.
The PT Cruiser will join it on the scrap heap at the end of next year, while the future of the Nitro is also clouded beyond mid-2011.
The news is better for the 300C and Challenger however, with both vehicles to be continued indefinitely and due for updates in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
By 2013, Fiat Group will provide the platforms for four cars wearing Chrysler badges.
These will include a new compact sedan in 2012, as well as a midsize crossover, a Sebring replacement and a Fiat Group-produced small car in 2013.
The small car and compact sedan will be shared by both Chrysler and Dodge, with the Caliber to be replaced by an as yet unamed C-segment sedan.
Similarly at Jeep, Fiat will provide the platform for a small SUV and a larger C-segment platform to underpin a Patriot/Compass replacement.
Meanwhile at Fiat, the new 500 is due late next year, with the 500C convertible to follow in 2011 and the hotted up Abarth in 2012.
The plans mean that by 2014, 56 per cent of vehicles sold by Chrysler-Fiat will trace their platform origins from the Italian side of the corporation.
by Tim Beissmann
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New 500 next year!? Wow that was quick!
Fix It Again Tony
More mindless rant…
Fiat is the only European car manufacturer to be up on sales year on year whilst turning a profit as well.
Europes fastest growing main brand
Europes cleanest engines
Exclusive and clever Multiair technology
Just to name a few actual facts….
and they still breakdown as reliably as they did 20 years ago, I belive this is what Robin was hinting at. Of course their sales are going to be up, Fiat is one of the cheapest European cars around and they have Ferrari that turns a healthy profit.
thanks for your input Car Fanatic but I dont believe that they are any better or worse than many other Euro brands.
Cheers
Dont start a sentence with “and”. Also, learn to use kapitul letters you sad Sydney F stick.
And,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,leave Sydney now and again, you’d be suprised that there is a world outside of the big smoke, and things to do, loser.
This can only be for the benefit of the consumer.
Fiat seems to be giving and getting nothing in return! Wasn’t that Dodge Hornet small car was meant to be due two years ago? But everyone knows that Americans can’t make a proper small car without stuffing a 5.0 V8 in it (AMC Pacer anyone?) At leat the Italians are helping out, the masters of small cars.