Looks like we might get the 500 and some Alfas. 
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/574027
Fiat Group SpA, which makes Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo vehicles, is trying to re-enter the United States market. The company has expressed interest in bringing its Fiat 500 compact car and the Alfa Romeo brand to the U.S.
As much as I love the 500, I'd take a Panda 100 in a heartbeat...
Light, agile, 100 hp. Supposedly very fun to drive. Kind of like a modern version of my old Swift GTi.
On a side note it looks as if VW is bringing in the new Polo as well.
Could be a real good couple of years for us guys that LIKE little cars.
Chris_V wrote: As much as I love the 500, I'd take a Panda 100 in a heartbeat... Light, agile, 100 hp. Supposedly very fun to drive. Kind of like a modern version of my old Swift GTi.
and its capt. slow's favorite car!
Do you think that if I bought a new Dodge One ton dually they would throw in a 500 for free.
personally, I do not see why the UAW gets such a bad rep.. have you seen what the execs that have run these companies into the ground are making?
I am not talking just the CEO either
I'd buy a 500 abarth. Hopefully for less scratch than a mini.
OK, so, GM pays Fiat BILLIONS of dollars to NOT BUY FIAT. Fiat pays a private equity group BILLIONS of dollars to purchase Chrysler and bail out the private equity group, oh, owned by big name politicians, by the way. Now, you and I pay GM BILLIONS of dollars to not go bankrupt and further tank our economy. Why is that I see you and I getting the short end of this stick? We (or your great-grandchildren if it doesn't go 1930's first) will get to pay, yet somehow we don't own Chrysler, or Fiat, or GM for that matter. Fiat, GM, Chrysler, big name politicians, executives all come out ahead. We're just on the wrong side of this thing.
http://www.manufacturing.net/article.aspx?id=182022
Hess, you may want to fact-check somewhere other than www.tinfoilhats.com man...
An affordable italian car would be really cool. I remember seeing a little fiat rally car everday and they are cool. It even had racing stripes. Maybe this will set of a small car war and bmw will reintroduce the isetta.
OK, doode, what part is wrong? carguy's article says that Fiat is gonna get 35% (and later all) of Chrysler for no cash and no risk. That's even better. Hey, I have no cash too. Maybe I can get a car manufacturer in the US too. I should get, say, 20% of GM for no cash and no risk in exchange for my best wishes.
If you wish to dispute my post, please dispute the post. If you wish to do an ignorant and make personal attacks instead of discussing the content, well, that's your choice, but it is a very poor argument technique and doesn't get very far with me.
As excited as I am of having Alfa and Fiat back in the US, I fear what we get will be new products that combine the worst of both companies.
I guess I better brush up on my Eye-talian.
The official Chrysler press release:
FIAT GROUP, CHRYSLER LLC and CERBERUS CAPITAL MANAGEMENT L.P. ANNOUNCE PLANS FOR A GLOBAL STRATEGI C ALLI ANCE Fiat S.p.A., Chrysler LLC (Chrysler) and Cerberus Capital Management L.P., the private i nvest ment maj orit y owner of Chr ysl er LLC, announced t oday t hey have si gned a nonbinding term sheet to establish a global strategic alliance. The alliance, to be a key element of Chrysler’s viability plan, would provide Chrysler with access to competitive, fuel-effi ci ent vehi cl e pl atf or ms, powertr ai n, and components to be produced at Chrysler manufacturing sites. Fiat would also provide distribution capabilities in key growth markets, as well as substantial cost savings opportunities. In additi on, Fi at woul d pr ovi de management ser vi ces supporti ng Chr ysl er’ s submission of a viability plan to the U.S. Treasury as required. Fiat has been very successful in executing its own restructuring over the past several years. The alliance would also allow Fiat Group and Chrysler to take advantage of each other's distribution networks and to optimize fully their respective manufacturing footprint and global supplier base. The proposed alliance would be consistent with the terms and conditions of the U.S. Tr easur y fi nanci ng t o Chr ysl er. Per t he U. S. Tr easur y l oan agr eement, each constituent will be asked to contribute to Chrysler’s restructuring effort including: lenders, employees, the UAW, dealers, suppliers and Chrysler Financial. Such steps would greatly contribute to Chrysler’s long term viability plan. Completion of the alliance is subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals, including the U.S. Treasury. As a consideration for Fiat Group’s contribution to the alliance of strategic assets, to include: product and platform sharing, including city and compact segment vehicles, to expand Chrysler’s current product portfolio; technology sharing, including fuel efficient and environmentally friendly powertrain technologies; and access to additional markets, i ncl udi ng di stri buti on f or Chr ysl er vehi cl es i n mar ket s outside of North America, Fiat would receive an initial 35 percent equity interest in Chrysler. The alliance does not contemplate that Fiat would make a cash investment in Chrysler or commit to funding Chrysler in the future. “This initiative represents a key milestone in the rapidly changing landscape of the automotive sector and confirms Fiat and Chrysler commitment and determination to continue to play a significant role in this global process. The agreement will offer both compani es opport uniti es t o gain access to most relevant automotive markets with innovative and environmentally friendly product offering, a field in which Fiat is a recognized world leader while benefitting from additional cost synergies. The deal f oll ows a number of t ar get ed alli ances and partnerships signed by the Fiat Group with leading carmakers and automotive suppliers over the last five years aimed at supporting the growth and volume aspirations of the partners involved,” the CEO of Fiat Group, Sergio Marchionne said. " A Chr ysler/Fiat partnership is a great fit as it creates the potential for a powerful, new gl obal competit or, off eri ng Chr ysl er a number of str at egi c benefit s, including access to products that compliment our current portfoli o; a di stri buti on network outsi de North America; and cost savings in design, engineering, manufacturing, purchasing and sales and marketing," said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO of Chrysler LLC. "This tr ansacti on will enabl e Chr ysl er t o off er a br oader competiti ve li ne-up of vehi cl es for our dealers and customers that meet emi ssi ons and f uel effi ci ency st andar ds, whil e adhering t o conditi ons of t he Gover nment Loan. The partnership would also provide a return on i nvest ment f or t he Ameri can t axpayer by securi ng t he l ong-term viability of Chrysler br ands i n t he mar ket pl ace, sustaining future product and technology development for our countr y and building renewed consumer confidence, while preserving American jobs." "This is great news for the UAW Chrysler team and we look forward to supporting and working with them to ensure Chrysler's long term viability,” said Ron Gettelfinger, President United Auto Workers (UAW). “ We' r e on boar d wit h t hi s i mport ant str at egi c i niti ati ve as it will hel p pr eser ve t he l ongterm viability of our great company,t is br ands and of cour se UA W-Chrysler jobs,” said General Holiefield, Vice President, United Auto Workers (UAW).
There's another stakeholder letter which states that Chrysler will have access to all of Fiat's brands and technologies except Ferrari.
I wonder how this will affect the agreement between Nissan and Chrysler regarding Nissan truck production and the joint small car venture.
In reply to Dr. Hess:
The parts about big-name politicians, 30's era like depressions, and general conspiracy theories. Your posts are usually much better-backed than that.
GM paid $2.4 Billion to acquire 20% of FIAT. 5 years later FIAT was going to force GM into buying another 20% of FIAT, which GM did not want (as they had accomplished nothing in 5 years) so they exercised their option to walk to the tune of another $2 Billion, SAVING GM over $4 Billion.
None of that involved high level politicians, American tax payers, or any other nonsense.
Now that FIAT has brokered into a deal with Cerebus/Chrysler does not change history as to what happened with GM. You make it sound like all 3 companies were in cahoots with one another this whole time to pull the wool over our eyes.
I never said they were in cahoots. It just works out that way. Just follow the cash flow. GM gives money to Fiat. Fiat gives "something" to Cerberus, yet to be determined. You and I give money to GM and Cerberus (a few bil in credit, last I heard to Chrysler, more bils to GM). And Cerberus is run/owned by high level politicians. I've seen some of their names in the various financial news releases. As in "former administration officials." I forget which administration, R or D, or both probably. They just don't advertise it much, especially when they're begging billions.
The reference to a 30's depression would be a possible way out of the trillions of dollars we've now promissed the wealthy of the world. I'm thinking more German style than US style, but we'll see. Maybe nothing will happen and everything will work out great as we hope for change.
I can see what you're saying, but some articles and facts and whatnot would be nice. I know it feels frustrating. If you've got legitimate backup for what you claim then I would be interested in reading it.
AP Story ... A little easier to read ... not so much lawyer/PR talk!
Fiat to Take 35 Percent Stake in ChryslerBy ARIEL DAVID, AP posted: 5 HOURS 31 MINUTES AGOcomments: 207filed under: Financial CrisisPrintShare Text SizeAAAROME (Jan. 20) - Fiat and Chrysler said Tuesday they have agreed to form a strategic alliance that would give the Italian auto empire a 35-percent stake in the troubled U.S. carmaker and could eventually bring it full control.
Latest Auto News AP10 photos Chrysler announced Jan. 20 that Italian automaker Fiat will take a 35 percent stake in the struggling American car company.(Note: Please disable your pop-up blocker)
The deal means Chrysler, which is fighting off bankruptcy and struggling to sell less fuel efficient larger models, would have access to new markets and cheaper, more environmentally friendly technologies. Fiat Group SpA, which makes Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo vehicles, would gain a foothold in the huge U.S. market. The company has bounced back recently with cars such as the tiny 500 two-door hatchback, a hit remake of an earlier iconic Fiat model that competes with Daimler AG's Smart, BMW AG's Mini and other very small cars. The two companies said in a joint statement that in exchange for sharing its small-car platforms and fuel-efficient engines, Fiat would take an "initial" 35-percent stake in Chrysler but would not invest cash. The indication that Fiat could eventually gain full control was further backed by John Elkann, Fiat vice president and heir of its founding Agnelli family, who was quoted as saying by the ANSA news agency that the company's stake "could increase." However the joint statement stressed that the Turin-based Fiat was not committing to funding Chrysler in the future. CreditSights analyst Brian Studioso said Fiat, which has its own challenges this year from continued drops in car and truck production, isn't in a position to part with cash. "For Fiat, the non-cash transaction would limit downside exposure while giving the company a foothold in the North American market," Studioso wrote in a note to investors. For Chrysler, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, the deal would mean breaking out of the North American market and gaining access to more competitive products. "A Chrysler-Fiat partnership is a great fit as it creates the potential for a powerful, new global competitor, offering Chrysler a number of strategic benefits, including access to products that complement our current portfolio (and) a distribution network outside North America," said Bob Nardelli, Chairman and CEO of Chrysler LLC. Under the deal, Chrysler will be able to manufacture and market in the United States new models based on Fiat platforms as well as the Italian company's own products. The alliance is subject to a review of company finances and regulatory approvals, including by the U.S. Treasury Department, which last week announced an emergency bridge loan for Chrysler. "The agreement will offer both companies opportunities to gain access to most relevant automotive markets with innovative and environmentally friendly product offering, a field in which Fiat is a recognized world leader, while benefiting from additional cost synergies," said Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne. Fiat shares on the Milan stock exchange surged more than 4 percent to euro4.66 ($6.03). Economy Minister Giulio Tremonti hailed the deal as "a sign of vitality." The deal is the latest coup for Marchionne, who returned the once-struggling Fiat to profitability after taking the helm in 2004. As part of his strategy, the turnaround expert dissolved in 2005 an alliance with General Motors Corp. that could have forced the U.S. company to buy the 90 percent of Fiat it did not already own. GM agreed to pay the Italian automaker $2 billion, mostly in exchange for canceling the clause. However, Marchionne had recently warned that independence was no longer sustainable amid the financial crisis, indicating Fiat was looking for new partners. In December, the drop in demand in its key Italian market forced Fiat to shut most of its plants in the country for a month, laying off nearly 50,000 workers for an extended holiday. Fiat announces its fourth-quarter results on Thursday. In October, it reported a 1.8 percent increase in its third-quarter profit but also outlined a worst-case forecast that said sales could drop up to 20 percent in 2009. Chrysler, best known for its Jeep and minivan models, has been hurt by its reliance upon slow-selling trucks and sport utility vehicles and analysts have said it may not survive the year as an independent company despite receiving a $4 billion government loan late last year. The company was hit especially hard by last year's industrywide drop in North American auto sales. Its sales plunged 53 percent in December and it posted a 30 percent drop for 2008. Nardelli said the partnership would provide a return for taxpayers on the loan, "securing long-term viability of Chrysler brands," boosting consumer confidence and "preserving American jobs." Chrysler is 80.1 percent owned by Cerberus Capital Management LLP, which acquired its stake for $7.4 billion in 2007 as Germany's Daimler AG dissolved a "merger of equals" made in 1998 between Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corp. It is likely that part of Fiat's stake will come from Daimler's remaining share in the company. "Daimler welcomes any initiative which enables Chrysler to stabilize its situation and to secure jobs in the company," spokesman Thomas Froehlich said. "It is still our intention to dispose of our 19.9 percent stake in Chrysler," Froehlich said, declining to comment further. — AP Writer Bree Fowler contributed to this report.
There's a rumour in the Chrysler community that the deal hinges on Chrysler receiving more bailout $$. Is it true? Hell, I dunno.
I do think I need to point out that a while back I predicted that Fiat and other manufacturers would see this as an opportunity to grab a toehold here. 
I am really geeked if this is true. Our local Chryco dealer network is pretty aggressive but needs better focus. Some US built minis would light up the competition in my opinion.
The latest. It elicits a '
'.
Chrysler backs off announcement of Fiat alliance Follow-up statement says only 'framework' deal exists
Chrysler LLC has backed off its own statement announcing an alliance with Fiat S.p.A., saying the potential partners have only a "framework" accord.
The disclosures came in back-to-back releases today after President Barack Obama gave Chrysler 30 days to come up with a plan to team with the Italian automaker and qualify for as much as $6 billion in additional U.S. aid.
The second statement was issued about 30 minutes after Chrysler said Fiat and Chrysler majority owner Cerberus Capital Management LP had come to terms in a deal supported by the U.S. Treasury Department. Both statements were attributed to Chrysler CEO Bob Nardelli and cited "substantial hurdles to resolve."
Chrysler is staying afloat on $4 billion in U.S. loans. Obama said the government will provide Chrysler the working capital it needs to get through the next 30 days.
The WSJ reports that "GM" divisions (i.e, Chevrolet and Cadillac) would remain as a stand-alone entity. The rest will likely go through bankruptcy proceedings.
link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123841609048669495.html
benzbaron wrote: Maybe this will set of a small car war and bmw will reintroduce the isetta.
Or the 700.
You know I've been wondering why Chrysler is in such bad shape? Unlike Ford and GM they don't have several dozen models. From what I can see their cars sell really well. Even in the BMW/Mercedes yuppy area where I am I still see lots of:
In that order...they do have the designs down pretty well for even someone who's never really owned a domestic car for more than 6 months I find that they make attractive cars...even if most end up in the hands of the ghettos that want to remove the already heavy 19" wheels for the 22" dubs yo.
RussellH wrote: You know I've been wondering why Chrysler is in such bad shape? Unlike Ford and GM they don't have several dozen models. From what I can see their cars sell really well. Even in the BMW/Mercedes yuppy area where I am I still see lots of: 1. 300M 2. Dodge Ram 1500 4. Chargers 3. PT cruisers 5. Caravans In that order...they do have the designs down pretty well for even someone who's never really owned a domestic car for more than 6 months I find that they make attractive cars...even if most end up in the hands of the ghettos that want to remove the already heavy 19" wheels for the 22" dubs yo.
their badge engineering is as follows as i can remember it off the top of my head:
300/charger - these aren't bad and sell fairly well afaik
dodge nitro/jeep liberty
jeep compass/patriot/dodge caliber(?) - yes, they badge engineered within the same brand, a first, i think
dodge durango/ chrysler aspen - and sinfully ugly too
dodge avenger/ chrsyler sebring sedan
dodge grand caravan/ chrysler town & country
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