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Fiat Chrysler Annouce Plans To Further Merge The Brands

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.

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