Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

We've been anxiously awaiting the availability of Fiat's 500 bubble bauble in the States for so long that we're beginning to feel like we're waiting for Godot and that the four-wheeled confection will never actually arrive at all.

But there appears to be hope on the horizon.

Earlier this week, Chrysler hosted hundreds of potential dealers at its Auburn Hills, MI headquarters as it is working to pull together a network, and it's understood that the automaker wants to sell 50,000 units per year through 165 dealers . While we think the Cinquecento is small and cuddly enough to pop out of a few strategically placed vending machines, Fiat will definitely need a cohesive countrywide network to sell its planned full lineup of vehicles. So where are they thinking about planting their flags? Fan site 500Freaks.com thinks they know, as they indicate they've gotten hold of a Chrysler -provided list of the best minicar markets in America.

Predictably, certain states like California and New York have an abundance of cities listed, while some states only have one, and others aren't represented at all. Click on the link below to see if your city of choice is on Chrysler's preliminary list. Appreciate the lead, Mike G!


[Source: 500Freaks ]

Cities under consideration for Fiat 500 sales outlets listed? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 9/3/10 2:31 PM

The one millionth Fiat Doblo has rolled off the production lines at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey.

www.topix.net | 9/3/10 1:17 AM

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Videos, Jeep, Design/Style, Off-Road

There have been plenty of murmurings about how Fiat's partnership with Chrysler will impact the Jeep brand. Exactly how much platform sharing will occur between the Italian automaker and the Pentastar's globe-roaming purveyor of SUVs has been a hot topic amongst the Jeep faithful for some time. Now it appears that a video posted on YouTube by user thejeepchannel has given the world its first glance at a new Fiat-based crossover set to wear the famous seven-slot grille. In the video, a Jeep intern learns a bit about the company's design process, all while hovering around a clay model of one very CUV-looking creation.

Chrysler has made no qualms about the fact that it will produce an SUV on the C-Evo platform , and has even made noise about which of the company's manufacturing facilities will build the vehicle.

Our guess is that the clay model in the video is none other than that very high-rider. Judging by the clay, the CUV will wear a host of typical Jeep design cues, including squared-off fender arches and overhangs. Follow the jump to see for yourself.

*Update: Chrysler has released the following statement concerning the vehicle in the video:

"While we certainly appreciate the interest, the clay model and sketches in the YouTube video represent past design studies, not the future of Jeep design. This and similar videos are targeted toward college students and the youth market in general, to build excitement about the Jeep brand, and to provide a glimpse into some of the processes we go through to create iconic Jeep vehicles."

[Source: YouTube ]

Continue reading Video: Jeep accidently shows off Fiat-based CUV *UPDATE

Video: Jeep accidently shows off Fiat-based CUV *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 9/1/10 4:28 PM

Filed under: Car Buying, LA Auto Show, Budget, Hatchback, Chrysler, Fiat

Chrysler is set to debut its American-spec Fiat 500 at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show with the first examples being sold near the end of 2010. During the 2011 calendar year, Chrysler hopes to sell 50,000 of the Mini Cooper fighters, including the 500 Cabrio, which goes on sale sometime in 2011.

Built in Toluca, Mexico, the 500 will be sold through a network of 165 dealers across the United States, mostly in cities that have the largest small car markets. Will Chrysler be able to move 50,000 of the new Fiats? That's mildly ambitious, since the Mini brand only moves about 50,000 Coopers annually. Still, consider our fingers crossed.



[Source: Associated Press via Google ]

Report: Fiat wants to sell 50,000 500s in the U.S. through 165 dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read  | Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/31/10 5:44 PM

About 400 Chrysler dealers who want to sell Fiats were told that the tiny Fiat 500 at first will be the only 2011 model in their Fiat showrooms economictimes.indiatimes.com | 8/31/10 7:15 AM

Chrysler on Monday told 400 dealers about its plans to bring the Fiat brand back to the U.S. after a 30-year absence, starting with the Fiat 500 minicar later this year.

www.topix.net | 8/31/10 4:14 AM

A Fiat 500 car on display at the Fiat 500 Lauch party January 21, 2008 in London, England.

www.topix.net | 8/31/10 12:17 AM

Chrysler dealers hear company's plans for Fiat's return to the US market with the 500 minicar



Chrysler - Fiat - Makes and Models - Recreation - Autos abcnews.go.com | 8/30/10 9:57 PM

Fiat, Italy's biggest car maker which controls 20 per cent of Chrysler, aims at unveiling the minicar at the Los Angeles auto show in November. economictimes.indiatimes.com | 8/30/10 8:06 PM

Chrysler on Monday told 400 dealers about its plans to bring the Fiat brand back to the US after a 30-year absence, starting with the Fiat 500 minicar later this year. economictimes.indiatimes.com | 8/30/10 4:44 PM

About 400 Chrysler dealers will gather in downtown Detroit to hear how they could help bring the Fiat brand back to the U.S. after a nearly 30-year absence. online.wsj.com | 8/30/10 8:23 AM

Filed under: Motorsports, Motorcycle, Racing

Shocking, we know. What's been called the second-worst kept secret in MotoGP has officially been confirmed. MotoGP rookie and current World Superbike champion Ben Spies (shown at right, with Yamaha's Lin Jarvis) will be saddling up with the factory Yamaha crew starting next year. Rumors to that effect have been buzzing around the inteweb for some time and were recently fueled by Valentino Rossi's departure from the Fiat-Yamaha stable in favor of the Ducati Corse team.

Spies has been an absolute terror on two wheels in MotoGP while riding with the Tech 3 Yamaha team. The Texan is currently 7th in the overall standings thanks to a slew of top 5 finishes, and even managed to podium at Silverstone. Not too shabby for the guy's first year out. There's some indication that he'll be riding alongside Jorge Lorenzo, though Yamaha hasn't solidified anything with the Spaniard just yet.

Those who follow the MotoGP world will have likely noticed the conspicuous lack of a certain prefix from this post. Interestingly enough, 'Fiat' was nowhere to be found in the Spies announcement. Odds are we'll be hearing something about that from the former Fiat-Yamaha team sometime soon. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber ]

Continue reading Ben Spies moves to Yamaha MotoGP Factory Team

Ben Spies moves to Yamaha MotoGP Factory Team originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Aug 2010 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/27/10 11:27 PM

In 1982 when the Kanu regime under the presidency of Daniel arap Moi decided to make Kenya a one-party state by law, the late Mukaru Ng'ang'a, then a lecturer in history at the University of Nairobi, commented that imposing authoritarian rule on Kenyans by fiat would only drive opposition underground; and the opposition would even be more dangerous. allafrica.com | 8/27/10 9:46 AM

The third quarter is going "quite well" despite the weakness in Europe's car market, chief executive Sergio Marchionne said on the sidelines of a conference. www.dnaindia.com | 8/26/10 1:17 PM

Alfa Romeo will be sold by Fiat dealerships in the U.S where about 200 Fiat franchises are attached to the Chrysler Group. story.venezuelastar.com | 8/26/10 1:53 AM

The 2010 season continues its march towards the decisive part of the season with round 11 of 18 taking place at Indianapolis this weekend, and all eyes will once more be on Jorge Lorenzo as the Fiat Yamaha rider aims to maintain his phenomenal form this season.

www.topix.net | 8/24/10 7:00 PM

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Earnings/Financials, Fiat

Sergio Marchionne harbors no illusions about Chrysler being in the black for 2010. The Detroit News reports the Chrysler chairman and Fiat CEO stated flat out that a net profit in 2010 isn't likely during an August 23rd tour of a Toledo Jeep plant. Despite recent reports of operating profits from Chrysler, there's still tremendous cost associated with loan interest payments and a lineup of moribund product to turn over. Add to the mix the reintroduction of Fiat automobiles to the U.S. market, and you've got an outlook that's best described as "challenging."

Still, Marchionne told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, also in attendance, that Chrysler is "ahead of plan" during the tour. That plan includes paying back its $12 billion in governmental loans and launching the Fiat 500 in North America. A meeting on August 30th will lay out the requirements for dealers interested in Fiat stores, and Marchionne reports strong interest.

Dealers that choose to take on Fiat must create standalone showrooms for the brand, requiring significant investment, though there's little overlap between Fiat and Chrysler product lines to muddy sales efforts. Other rumors that Marchionne dodged were talk of a Jeep Liberty -based SUV to be built in Toledo, and whether or not an Alfa Romeo sedan will be built in Brampton, Ontario.

[Source: Detroit News ]

Marchionne: Chrysler profit not likely for 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read  | Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/24/10 6:59 PM

After doing the trials and tribulations thing for a couple of years, Concorso Italiano has found the perfect sized home in the middle of the action during Pebble Beach weekend. Several lawns full of vintage Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Fiat machinery, not to mention some Bizzarinis and DeTomasos, are all the reminder one needs that when it comes to cars - and food and fashion - the Italians have had it going on for decades. We ate up all the organic sportsters, predecessors of today's supercars filled with preservatives, and walked away full of beauty...

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Luxist Captures Some Classics - and an SP1 - at Concorso Italiano originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ferrari - AlfaRomeo - Maserati - Fiat - Lamborghini www.luxist.com | 8/24/10 1:04 PM

As Chrysler prepares to lay out its strategy for selling a subcompact car from partner Fiat, the move is raising concerns among dealers struggling to sell the vehicles they already have on their lots. online.wsj.com | 8/24/10 3:31 AM

Faithless respond to claims that they 'sold out' by collaborating with carmaker Fiat.

www.digitalspy.co.uk | 8/23/10 8:52 PM

Filed under: Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, Alfa Romeo, Fiat

According to Automotive News Europe, Volkswagen is keen on continuing its hungry, hungry hippo march through the automotive world. The report says that the German manufacturing giant has its eye on snapping up Alfa Romeo , even though parent-company Fiat has no intention of turning the brand loose.

The news comes courtesy of two unnamed, high-ranking VW officials who claim that the company has developed a serious taste for Italian as of late. Meanwhile, a similarly shadowy figure in the upper echelons of the Fiat kingdom says that Fiat won't sell Alfa Romeo to the Germans.

While the two companies appear to be drawing lines in the sand, Fiat has said that it wants Alfa Romeo to become a world-class luxury manufacturer. That includes selling upwards of 500,000 units per year by 2014 - nearly five times what the company managed to move in 2009.

So why does VW want Alfa Romeo? Nabbing the brand would be an easy way to help the carmaker in its quest to take down Toyota as the world's number one automaker. Dipping into the Alfa Romeo stable would also give VW access to a wealth of new front-engine, front-wheel-drive chassis options as well.

[Source: Automotive News Europe ]

Report: VW wants to buy Alfa Romeo, Fiat unwilling to part originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/23/10 5:59 PM

A technology coming to Chrysler vehicles can improve the fuel economy of standard gasoline engines by 25 percent.

Chrysler is unveiling a way to squeeze more fuel efficiency out of existing gasoline engines, adopting a technology pioneered by Fiat, which controls Chrysler. The effort represents the latest strategy by automakers to meet federal standards that require an automotive fleet to get an average of 35.5 miles per gallon by 2016.

www.technologyreview.com | 8/19/10 4:00 AM

Jorge Lorenzo's relentless march towards his first MotoGP world title continued in Brno with the Spaniard romping to a seventh win of 2010.The Fiat Yamaha rider was rarely threatened once he produced a brilliant double overtake at the same corner on Dani Pedrosa and Ben Spies on the first lap.

www.topix.net | 8/16/10 1:04 AM

Tata Motors is exploring synergies with Italian partner Fiat to expand its commercial vehicles business. economictimes.indiatimes.com | 8/14/10 6:07 AM

Filed under: Car Buying, Chrysler, Fiat

The Chrysler Group is only a few months away from bringing the Fiat brand back to the United States, starting with the launch of the too-cute 500 later this year. The automaker will be holding a Fiat Experience event in Detroit at the end of August, and around 600 dealers from around the country have been invited to attend.

These 600 dealers are located in cities where Chrysler is planning to have Fiat franchises - a total of 119 different markets around the country. The Fiat Experience program will give dealers a detailed overview of Chrysler's exact plans for the brand in the U.S., and dealers will be allowed to submit proposals for snagging a Fiat franchise through mid-September.

No, not all of these 600 dealers will be approved for Fiat franchises, and Chrysler will be announcing its final list of Fiat locations in the fourth quarter of 2010. Hit the jump to see the current list of market considerations to find out if a Fiat dealer might be heading to a city near you.



[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises

Chrysler chooses 600 dealerships for possible Fiat franchises originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Aug 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/11/10 10:31 PM

Today is the deadline for getting statewide questions on the November ballot, which -- barring a legislative fiat -- effectively ends this year's quest to bring full-scale casino gambling to Rhode Island.

www.topix.net | 8/10/10 7:12 PM

Faithless join forces with Fiat for a three-minute "prommercial" for their new single 'Feelin' Good'.

www.digitalspy.co.uk | 8/10/10 3:52 PM

Chrysler, which emerged from a US-government supported bankruptcy in June 2009 under the management control of Italy's Fiat SpA, said 2010 would continue to be a year of stabilization and transition. www.dnaindia.com | 8/9/10 12:44 PM

Dance act Faithless join forces with car manufacturer Fiat in an innovative deal to get their new video broadcast on TV during ad breaks. www.bbc.co.uk | 8/9/10 10:00 AM

FIAT has flipped up an ace for fans of its popular 500 city car in the shape of a BlackJack special edition.

www.topix.net | 8/9/10 9:55 AM

The band Faithless have a signed a deal with Fiat, the car manufacturer, in a move which may signal the future of the music industry. www.telegraph.co.uk | 8/9/10 5:58 AM

Filed under: Hatchback, Fiat, UK

Over the years since its introduction, the Fiat 500 has had no shortage of special editions. But if the fashion-forward Diesel edition wasn't your cup of tea and the Pepto-painted Pink edition didn't tickle your fancy, the Italian automaker has another special in store. And this one's decidedly more sinister.

Called the BlackJack, the special 500 is decked out in matte black with gloss black accents, offset by a splash of red at the center of the black wheels and red brake calipers on the 1.4-liter model. UK buyers can choose between that or the more frugal 1.2-liter engine, both fitted with a stop/start system, with total production limited to just 200 units. And though no details were revealed on interior colors, you can bet it'll be just as black as the exterior.

The question is, when the Fiat 500 finally makes it Stateside, is this how you'd want yours? Follow the jump for the full press release and share your impressions in the comments section below.

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat hits the matte with new 500 BlackJack edition

Fiat hits the matte with new 500 BlackJack edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/6/10 6:30 PM

Filed under: Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat

Following the recent news that Chrysler will re-hire 900 workers and add a second shift back at its Sterling Heights, MI assembly plant comes word that the next-generation replacements for the Sebring and Dodge Avenger will be produced there. Supposedly, Fiat had plans to build the cars in Turin, Italy along with the Alfa Romeo Giulia , but could not reach a suitable agreement with its unions on work rules.

The idea of building the mid-size sedans in Italy for export to North America seemed highly implausible anyhow. The family sedan segment is among the most competitive in this market and pricing pressures are tough enough without factoring in exchange rates. Most of the Toyota , Honda , Nissan , Hyundai and soon even Volkswagen mid-size models are or will be built locally in order to keep costs down. Regardless of the reasoning, according to Automotive News , it now looks like the new sedans will be built in the plant north of Detroit on Fiat platforms beginning in 2013.



[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Report: Fiat moving planned production of Chrysler Sebring back to U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/6/10 3:28 PM

Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Europe

The internets recently caught fire after what appeared to be a new Lancia Stratos was spotted hustling around a Fiat test track in Italy. At this point, it's still difficult to tell whether the car is an all new project from the company that brought the world some of the most wicked rally beasts of all time or if a bored exec simply decided to take the 2005 Fenomenon Stratos Concept Car out for a quick run around. If that latter possibility is true, the car has received a little bit of front fascia work since it took a spin on the show circuit some five years ago.

Whatever the case, the crew at Fiat Blog have come up with a few renderings to help those of us with imagination impairments figure out exactly what the car would look like from all sides. Here's a hint: It's as hot as you'd expect an Italian wedge to be. So far, all we know is what Italispeed - the site that broke the shots originally - has suggested, which is that the car we've all been drooling over is a one-off project for one very wealthy individual. Head over to Fiat Blog for a look at all of the rendered goodness. Thanks for the tip, Sean!

[Source: Fiat Blog ]

Spy Shots: Clearer look at reborn Lancia Stratos emerges originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/5/10 4:29 PM

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Europe, Hatchback, Fiat, UK

How much would you be willing to pay for a Fiat 500 ? Fifteen grand? Twenty? Thirty? How about nearly $50,000. That's how much the crème-de-la-crème Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is going for now that it's reaching the market.

For a quick refresher, the special-edition 500 was unveiled almost a year ago at the Frankfurt Motor Show . It packs a 180-horsepower 1.4-liter 16-valve turbocharged four-pot, beefed-up suspension, wheels and brakes and a special paint scheme inspired by its big brother, the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. A scant 152 examples are being produced in right-hand drive for the British market, and each is carrying a whopping price tag of £29,600, or about $47k in American greenbacks.

Now the 695 Tributo Ferrari may be the ultimate manifestation of the Fiat 500 to date. It may even be the next best thing to a Ferrari, though we doubt it. But is it worth $47,000? Fiat will surely sell the entire production run, but then "value" isn't the objective value it once was. Check out the press release after the jump, images in the twin galleries below and weigh in with your own thoughts.




[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: Is it worth $47,000?

Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari: Is it worth $47,000? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink  | Email this  | Comments www.autoblog.com | 8/4/10 11:24 PM

UPDATED: Aug 4 18:33 CET Reprints Add a comment Fiat S.p.A. 's CEO Sergio Marchionne has decided to build the Chrysler Sebring successor in the U.S. instead of Italy because of difficulties to boost productivity in Italy, the Corriere della Sera reported on Wednesday.

www.topix.net | 8/4/10 7:04 PM

If the Pink edition of the Fiat 500 wasn't at your pace, the Italian automaker has just announced the new BlackJack edition. As you might have guessed, the new special features a matt black exterior finish, offset by glossy black trim and red accents on the black wheels. The interior is presumed to continue the black treatment, and UK buyers can choose between 1.2 (£12,165) and 1.4-liter (£13,565) engines, each featuring the Start&Stop system that saves fuel when the car is not in motion. Production will be strictly limited to 200 examples, initially available exclusively through the Fiat website .

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Fiat 500 BlackJack Edition originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Fiat - Italy - Automobile - Automotive industry - Fiat Nuova 500 www.luxist.com | 8/4/10 7:02 PM

Nearly four decades after the Lancia Stratos was unveiled, a new modern reinterpretation was caught by spy photographers while testing at Fiat's Balocco test track.

www.topix.net | 8/4/10 4:51 AM

Fiat released several limited-edition Fiat 500s , like the Barbie, the 500 Pink , and the 500C Pink, that were rather feminine.

www.topix.net | 8/2/10 6:09 PM

Only 200 examples of the recently announced Fiat 500 BlackJack limited edition are in the... cards for the UK market.

www.topix.net | 7/30/10 3:02 PM

With the landslide of all-new small cars being introduced this year and over the next several model years-including the 2011 Ford Fiesta, 2011 Mazda2, and 2012 Fiat 500-you might assume that small-car sales are going strong, and that the forecast for subcompacts in the U.S. is bullish.

www.topix.net | 7/30/10 5:53 AM

Fiat car workers in Italy have been running protests over the company’s future in its home country. story.venezuelastar.com | 7/29/10 12:04 PM

Last month, Fiat workers protested in Naples against Fiat's new production plan intended to help make its workforce more competitive.

www.topix.net | 7/29/10 2:17 AM

Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne said Wednesday he would go ahead with plans to double car production in Italy, but only if unions embrace his modernising vision. economictimes.indiatimes.com | 7/28/10 9:31 PM

Hundreds of Fiat car workers have been protesting in a bid to save the company's future in Italy. The firm been holding talks in Turin with union… www.euronews.net | 7/28/10 4:41 PM

Thirty two laps after the grid launched their way down the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca straightaway, the 2010 US Grand Prix culminated with Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo scoring his sixth victory aboard his Fiat Yamaha M1.

www.topix.net | 7/26/10 2:28 AM

'We will ask Fiat, in a context of industrial cooperation, to guarantee full production at its plants, including Mirafiori,' labour minister Maurizio Sacconi said. www.dnaindia.com | 7/25/10 12:41 PM

BLOOMBERG Sunday, Jul 25, 2010, Page 10 European stocks advanced as earnings reports from Fiat SpA to Apple Inc reassured investors that the global economic recovery is intact amid signs the regio... story.venezuelastar.com | 7/25/10 2:59 AM

Fiat workers in Turin walked out on Friday for two hours to protest against the Italian car giant's plans to shift some of its production to Serbia.… www.euronews.net | 7/24/10 6:59 AM

Fiat Yamaha asked fans to submit photos for use on Rossi's and Lorenzo's M1 MotoGP bikes for the Grand Prix race at Laguna Seca this weekend.

www.topix.net | 7/23/10 6:33 AM