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Fiat Chrysler Annouce Plans To Further Merge The Brands

By Bridget Ahern |

While Fiat and Chrysler are now one global company, their models have remained distinct from each other. But that’s all about to change. This week Fiat revealed the first step in a grand plan to integrate the two brands across product development, manufacturing, purchasing and other operations.

As early as 2012, Fiat will begin to assemble two models for Chrysler in Turin, Italy for a primarily US market, including the model to replace the successful Sebring.

Chrysler is expected to return the favour by producing two Alpha Romeo SUVs in the US. The compact model will commence assembly in 2012 and the larger model in 2014.

The five-year plan also includes:

  • 2012 – Fiat will build in Italy a new compact sedan, which will be distributed in North America under the Chrysler or Dodge brand.
  • 2013 – Alfa is planning a rear-drive that could be built in Canada or Italy.
  • 2013 – Chrysler could import from Serbia new, Fiat-built subcompacts for both the Chrysler and Dodge brands.

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said using existing factories to manufacture both Fiat and Chrysler vehicles was simply more efficient.

“The allocation of production between Fiat Group Automobiles and Chrysler will be based on rationalization and efficiency so that maximum capacity utilization is achieved for both organizations and the need to establish new plants avoided,” he said.

In order to maximise capacity, the two companies will pair similar models to be produced in the one plant.

  • The new compact Chrysler or Dodge model will be built in Fiat’s Cassino plant in central Italy. This plant will build 400,000 units on the same platform, including the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, the Fiat Bravo replacement and the Lancia Delta.
  • Chrysler’s new Sebring sedan will be built in the Mirafiori plant in Turin, along with the Alfa Romeo Giulia mid-sized sedan and wagon.

Chrysler will also export vehicles from North America to be sold in Europe under different brands.

The Mexico-built Dodge Journey crossover will become a Fiat model in Europe, Ram Truck’s Unibody Pickup will be sold as part of Fiat Professional’s light commercial vehicles while Fiat’s North American range will include a three versions of the 500 all built in Mexico.

European dealers will also receive Lancia branded versions of Chrysler vehicles including a Canadian-built restyled Voyager and an American-build new compact sedan and station wagon.


 
  • James007

    It’ll be interesting to see what this will all mean for the Australian market.
    I’m guessing Jeep will stay, but what about Chrysler and Dodge? And will Lancia make a return to our market?

    God knows Fiat needs help in Australia and being distributed by ATECO doesn’t help the matter either. As soon as Fiat becomes a factory backed operations, whether it’s with Chrysler or not, the better. ATECO has done very little for Fiat in this country.

  • ChairmanMao

    What he ^^^ said

  • GLEN WALTERS

    CHRYSLER SHOULD RESTORE THE CHRYSLER PACIFIA. AS THEY HAVE DISCONTINUTED, IT NOW APPEARS EVERY BODY SEEMS TO HAVE A SIMULAR MODEL. THERE ARE 2 IN MY FAMILY AND WE ALL JUST LOVE THEM . THEY ARE THE PERFECT CAR[CROSSOVER]. HOPE THE DEVELOPE ANOTHER ONE. THE JOURNEY IS TO SMALL . NO ROOM IN THE BACK SEAT IS GYOU ARE OVER 4 FT TALL.

  • Clive

    I own a Dodge Caliber from new and am very pleased with it, in fact the wife and I planned on getting another one even if it was the (for us) too big Dodge Journey. Badge any Dodge here in the UK as a Fiat and I won’t buy one.

    I want something distinctive that doesn’t look like a Euro box, Dodge gave me that. Looks like I’ll have to hold on to the Caliber longer than I wanted to

  • Chris

    Fiat should bring back the 128 and modernize it for the 2010s, exporting it to America and the rest of the world. Give the 128 the same engines that the 500 will have for America and Europe, respectively. Since the 128 and the 500 are both subcompacts, this method would easily give Fiat another car to export to America, with the Fiat badge- reestablishing their presence in America. Then Fiat could build a compact badged as a Dodge or Chrysler. These are the cars Fiat should make at the Serbia plant, since they’re planning on building a compact and subcompact.

  • Dan

    Nothing wrong with a good ole Fiat. The Fiat 128 was a cute little family car in its time, but now there’s some good family cars out there like the Alfa Romeo city cars. It’ll be interesting to see how the collaboration with Chrysler and Fiat progress.