Sergio Marchionne
Alfa Romeos To Be Sold In North America In 2012, No Sale To VW Planned
FIAT CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters at a Chrysler event in Ohio that Alfa Romeo cars would be sold in the United States in joint Alfa/Fiat dealerships starting in 2012. The official statement pretty much puts to rest any rumors of a sale of the Alfa Romeo brand to Volkswagen, something was was reported by…
Dodge to Launch Mazda5 Rival in Growing MPV Segment
The MPV segment is growing quickly and it appears as though Dodge it getting set to join in. In Fiat’s larger plan for the Chrysler Group, company CEO Sergio Marchionne included a seven-seat multi-purpose-vehicle (MPV) destined for U.S. showrooms in 2012. Based on the upcoming Fiat compact car platform this new model would compete against…
PT Cruiser Set for July 9th Elimination
The PT Cruiser, the car we love to hate, will pull into the parking lot in the sky on July 9th. According to a report by Wards Auto, the unconscionably retro cruiser will cease production (for real this time) this summer. As much as we abhor its styling, we give full credit to the folks…
Chris Bangle To Return To Fiat?
Before he set the BMW world on edge with his controversial aesthetics, Chris Bangle had a comfortable post at Fiat, where he designed the Fiat Coupe, a car never sold in North America but regarded as an iconic and revolutionary design. French auto website Cardisiac is reporting that Bangle, who quit BMW in 2009, may be…
Attention Armchair Auto Execs: Fiat Lets You Pick The 500’s North American Logo
A favorite past time of computer literate car fans is to log on to automotive-related internet forums and criticize the decisions of auto industry types with decades of experience in the field. Everything from marketing campaigns to product choices are questioned, and while this right may be a cornerstone of our free society, often the…
Hyundai and Chrysler Could Partner Up On Pickup Truck
Hyundai and Chrysler could partner together for a full-sized truck based off of the Ram, after Chrysler’s deal with Nissan fell apart. Sources say that Hyundai approached Chrysler as late as February regarding a potential tie-up. Hyundai’s lineup is experiencing a renaissance in North America, but the Korean automaker lacks a full-size pickup truck for…
2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee To Start At $32,995
Jeep‘s 2011 Grand Cherokee is one of the most important products for what is arguably Chrysler’s strongest brand. The new 2011 model represents a move upscale for the Grand Cherokee, but the base price will rise to $32,995, a fair bit more expensive than its main rivals, the Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Traverse, which start…
Chrysler Moves Fiat-Based Compact Car Launch Up To Q4 2011
Chrysler had previously announced that a selection of Fiat-based compact cars was slated to hit the market in early 2012. But in a sign of rapid progress at Chrysler (or anxiety over the supposed apocalypse), CEO Sergio Marchionne said in a conference call that work on the vehicles is advancing sooner than the company anticipated, and…
Report: Viper to Live On Beyond Final Edition?
Are Viper loyalists perhaps mourning the death of the venomous snake too soon? Maybe, as Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has announced that as a part of Fiat’s 5-year plan he intends to position Dodge internationally as an “American performance brand,” anchored by the Charger, Challenger, and Viper. Marchionne mentioned that the Charger and Challenger’s platforms…
Report: Ferrari’s Future May Hold Six New Models, Not Four
Yesterday in Fiat’s 5-year plan it was revealed that Ferrari will introduce four new models in the next three years. But the details of Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s press conference are apparently open to interpretation. According to AutoCar, it won’t be four new models, but six! While its true that the product lineup will continue…
New Alfa Romeo Spider to Be Built on Rear-Drive Chrysler Platform?
Earlier today Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne outlined his company’s 5-year plan, even going to far as to discuss what products each brand in the Fiat family will deliver in the future. But Marchionne didn’t give all the details, leaving many to speculate and fill in the blanks. One such speculation comes from MotorTrend, which claims…
Alfa Romeo To Spearhead North American Return With SUV, Convertible
It’s been 15 years since a new Alfa Romeo has been sold in North America (not counting the ultra-exclusive 8C Competizione Supercar), but by 2012, the famous Milanese manufacturer will be back, according to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. Along with the MiTo hatchback (above), the Guiletta hatchback (replacing the current 147) and the new mid-size…
Report: Four New Ferraris Coming in Next Three Years Says Fiat CEO
As a part of a larger press conference held today Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne outlined the product plans for each of the Italian automakers brands – including Ferrari. In an unprecedented move, Marchionne laid bare his plans, likely in an attempt to shore up support for a company that continues to lose money and which…
Report: Maserati Adding Two More Affordable Models to Lineup
Maserati is looking to expand down-market, with plans to introduce two new models in the next five years. The two models will span a rather significant price point, ranging from 55,000 to 70,000 Euros (roughly $74,000 to $94,000 U.S.). Currently the lowest price Maserati in the brand’s lineup is the GranTurismo, which starts at $118,000….
Fiat Chairman Luca di Montezemolo to Step Down on Eve of Company Reorganization
Fiat chairman Luca di Montezemolo will step down from his primary position at the Italian automaker today ahead of a company restructuring that will begin tomorrow. He will, however, retain a position on Fiat’s board of governors and will remain the Chairman of Ferrari. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has announced he will draw out the…
Report: Fiat 500 Four-Door Coming Next Year; Will be Offered in North America
Fiat will bring to market a 4-door version of its cute 500 mini car next year and reports indicate it will be sold in North America. Word of a 4-door 500 model makes perfect sense for the North American market – especially as it will no doubt be a stretched wheelbase model with added room…
Report: Alfa Romeo to Return to North America by 2012 Says CEO
According to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, his company’s stylish Alfa Romeo brand will return to North America in the next 24 months, meaning that models should be on sale in 2012. “I’m a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the…
Report: Fiat Takeover of Chrysler Begins With News that 500C Engine will be Built in Michigan
Fiat’s plan to gobble up all of Chrysler has taken its first step forward since the Italian automaker rescued the struggling America manufacturer from bankruptcy liquidation. Currently Fiat owns 20 percent of Chrysler and has the ability to take a 35 percent share of the company if it meets three specific criteria: building a fuel-efficient…
Report: Fiat’s Five Year Chrysler Group Plan, Model by Model Breakdown
Last week Fiat/Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne set out a long-winded plan for the future of the American automaker and how its future will be closely tied to its new Italian parent company. There was a lot to digest at the seven hour press conference and so we thought a model by model breakdown would be…
Breaking: Fiat to Kill-Off Nine Chrysler Group Vehicles Including Sebring, Grand Caravan
A week ahead of a planned Fiat/Chrysler press conference in which Sergio Marchionne, the CEO of both automakers, was to outline the future of Chrysler, much of the information has been revealed in an in-depth report in the Wall Street Journal. But before we get to the new products that the Italian-owned automaker is planning…
Report: Chrysler Confirms RAM as Solo Brand With New Appointments
After several rumors and reports, Chrysler has now confirmed that the Dodge Ram will be spun off into its own brand with the appointment of two individuals. Fred Diaz Jr., formerly Director of the Denver Business Center, will now head up the RAM brand, while Ralph Gilles will take over at the helm of the…
Report: Chrysler Deputy CEO Jim Press to Leave By Year’s End
Chrysler’s deputy CEO Jim Press is planning to quit his post before the year’s end, reports the Wall Street Journal. Press took the helm of Chrysler in 2007 when Cerberus Capital Management took a controlling share in the company. He moved to the position after a lengthy 37-year career at Toyota Motor Corp. When Chrysler…
Chrysler to Bring Four Fiat 500 Models to North America
The car that has generated the most publicity out of the Fiat/Chrysler deal is the Italian automaker’s 500 model and now word comes from Fiat’s CEO that four different versions of the subcompact will be offered in the U.S. Sergio Marchionne told Bloomberg that the four trim levels will include the standard 500, a convertible…
Future Uncertain For Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Patriot and Compass
Now that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is at the helm of the new Chrysler he is looking at making some changes. For starters, the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Caliber, as well as the Jeep Patriot and Compass may get the axe. Marchionne is looking at cutting under-performing models from the Chrysler lineup, with a particular…
