Fiat CEO wants to make car in the U.S.

[dcorder]

This is from the newspaper here in Norfolk, VA, Saturday the 7th

WORLD

FIAT CEO WANTS TO MAKE CAR IN U.S.

VENICE, Italy
Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said Friday that he plans to launch the iconic Fiat 500 compact car in the United States and is looking for an industrial partner.

Fiat is riding the huge popularity of the redesigned 500, launched in Europe last July, to re-enter the United States for the first time since 1983, when it exited after a 20-year presence.

“I’d like to bring it out as fast as I can. We are examining ways and means to manufacture the cars in the United States,” Marchionne said on the sidelines of a foreign policy forum in Venice. “I don’t want to bring it over made. I want to manufacture in the North America) area.”

_From wire reports

[mdrburchette]

I hope he finds a way to do that. It'll be cheaper for us if it's built here instead of shipped from Italy.

[KRegester]

If they want to do something really cool;
Remake the affordable Italian classic sports car we have grown to love.
Keep it simple since you had the design right in the first place.
2 liter DOHC crossflow Injected front engine, rear drive, 5 Spd (Auto trans & A/C options) and classic Pininfarina body.
The size, shape and space was dead right. It even got decient gas mileage in it's 1980's state of tuning. They can only improve on that with a modern engine management system. 35MPG HWY or better should not be out of reach.

Mazda has had the Miata unchallenged for most of it's 16 year life. Pontiac and Saturn now has the Solstice.
Neither one has mini back seat just right for dogs, picnic baskets or baby seats.

I could have bought a used Miata or floated a loan for a new Solstice but I got the car I have dreamed of for years.

They still have the body dies kicking around somewhere and they still make transmissions in Poland you have all the bits and pieces.
Put them all together and sell a bunch of them to us retiring baby boomers (and smart youngsters).

[SlickItalian]

GM just closed it's truck manufacturing plant in oshawa ontario... wouldn't that be a perfetc fit for both companies... Chev gets the space used and makes some money and fiat gets a plant to build it's northamerican cars.

[SlickItalian]

GM just closed it's truck manufacturing plant in oshawa ontario... wouldn't that be a perfetc fit for both companies... Chev gets the space used and makes some money and fiat gets a plant to build it's northamerican cars.

[baltobernie]

Manufacturing is the easy part, compared to setting up a dealer network. That's what hurt Fiat here last time; I bought mine from a dealership whose main line was Oldsmobile. They took on Fiat because they didn't have a suitable small car when gas prices went thru the roof. Sound familiar?

It'd be difficult to establish a brand with only one model, although MB is doing it thru Penske with their Smart car. Not impossible, but surely difficult. Maybe Sergio ought to talk with Roger ...

Hold on to your Spiders, because there won't be any new 2100 lb. roadsters!

[KRegester]

Manufacturing is the easy part, compared to setting up a dealer network. That's what hurt Fiat here last time; I bought mine from a dealership whose main line was Oldsmobile. They took on Fiat because they didn't have a suitable small car when gas prices went thru the roof. Sound familiar?

It'd be difficult to establish a brand with only one model, although MB is doing it thru Penske with their Smart car. Not impossible, but surely difficult. Maybe Sergio ought to talk with Roger ...

Hold on to your Spiders, because there won't be any new 2100 lb. roadsters!

Same issues I ran into when I had my Hyosung motorcycle, absolutely great bike but HyosungUSA has no clue how to support or build customer loyalty..

Sad but true on the 2100lb roasters. by the time they go nuts on all the bells and whistles (that make the price go nuts and a real enthusiast really doesn't want) they kill the spirit of the car. I guess Lotus is the only one that gets that concept anymore with the Elise but that price is a killer..

[So Cal Mark]

in last weeks' Automotive News, Sergio was quoted as saying "Fiat will be building cars in the US by 2010". I read where there is an Iveco plant owned by Fiat that is not being used. The sad part of the whole deal is another article about Fiat talking with Chrysler about distributing the 500. We all know what Chrys did to Alfa a few years ago when they took over distribution. If Chrys gets involved, it will be the end of Fiat forever in the US in a short time

[baltobernie]

Not to worry, Mark. Cerberus will be bankrupt long before 2010. They're going thru money faster than a drunken sailor. Between now and then, Jeep will be spun off, Dodge will manufacture only trucks, a la GMC. Chery or some other Chinese company will buy the shell, which will be their entré into the US market.

[dinosabella]

I have been following Fiat Auto religiousely since i bought my spider in 1999 when i was 19 years old. They were so so so close to bankrupsy.
Sergio was hired ( a Canadian italian) and the company has been completely turned around, it is now one of the fastest growing car companies in the world. Priority number one was to save Fiat auto, it has been done, they relases new models that had beauty and panashe of the classic models. Next on the list is Alfa, so far so good although some will argue the 159 and the Brera are a little underpowered compared to the Germans. The upcomming Mi.To. is gorgeous and is based on the Punto chasis.
They are also in the begining stages of reviving the lancia brand. The Ypsilon is a nice looking compact car, they have dished out big advertising money on Carla Bruni to sponsor certain new models. The New Delta has been getting good reviews and there is now talk of officialy bringing back the famed lancia Fulvia but from what I understand it will not be based on the 2003 prototype.
Abarth has been revived as a true company and no longer a tacky aftermarket devision of fiat that made shifters and horn buttons but as a proper sports car devision.
Sergio is a genius. Rest assured this man will do it right over here. Lets not forget HE IS FROM NORTH AMERICA!!!!!
from what i understand the big three as well as auto producing cities are begging for Fiat to use their factories.
In a very short period of time we will be able to buy brand new Fiat products on this side of the pond.
I am counting the days.