The Chrysler-and-Fiat Strategy: November 2012 and January 2013
This page is outdated and shown for historical purposes only.
The years shown below are mostly calendar years, with model years being one year later in most cases.
Chrysler has updated its plan for the next few years, with notations for changed vehicles and pushbacks in time.
The small Jeep Renegade has been delayed until 2014, to increase its off-road capability and make it more worthy of the name "Jeep." The Doblo-based ProMaster City van is due in 2014, and Viper will be refreshed in 2015 despite a 2013 relaunch. The 2014 Lx family refresh is partly to get the eight-speed/V8 combination, already available on Grand Cherokee, and to upgrade the flagship large cars to the latest UConnect technology. New styling will also be applied to the Chrysler, based on Ralph Gilles' statements, but not the new styling that will appear on Chrysler 200 - at least not until the 2016 models.
The new Wrangler platform is due in 2016, along with plant changes to allow for greater flexibility and output. We believe a Wrangler-based pickup is a sure thing; the other new vehicle may be either a variant of the Wrangler itself, or something else based on the same chassis, e.g. a chassis cab truck, a hard-roof version, or a J8-type series of vehicles for flexible military and NGO use.
The European strategy
On October 31, Sergio Marchionne laid out a revised strategy for Chrysler and Fiat in Europe. The prior strategy had been:
The 2012 appears to make some key changes:
Here are some opinions from Allpar commentators, selected, edited, and condensed, but first, some words from Sergio Marchionne, as quoted by Il Corriere, and translated loosely:
RVC is a Italian who has expertise in Fiat operations and the European automotive scene.
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Copyright © VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and Mopar are trademarks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
This page is outdated and shown for historical purposes only.
The years shown below are mostly calendar years, with model years being one year later in most cases.
Chrysler has updated its plan for the next few years, with notations for changed vehicles and pushbacks in time.
The small Jeep Renegade has been delayed until 2014, to increase its off-road capability and make it more worthy of the name "Jeep." The Doblo-based ProMaster City van is due in 2014, and Viper will be refreshed in 2015 despite a 2013 relaunch. The 2014 Lx family refresh is partly to get the eight-speed/V8 combination, already available on Grand Cherokee, and to upgrade the flagship large cars to the latest UConnect technology. New styling will also be applied to the Chrysler, based on Ralph Gilles' statements, but not the new styling that will appear on Chrysler 200 - at least not until the 2016 models.
The new Wrangler platform is due in 2016, along with plant changes to allow for greater flexibility and output. We believe a Wrangler-based pickup is a sure thing; the other new vehicle may be either a variant of the Wrangler itself, or something else based on the same chassis, e.g. a chassis cab truck, a hard-roof version, or a J8-type series of vehicles for flexible military and NGO use.
The European strategy
On October 31, Sergio Marchionne laid out a revised strategy for Chrysler and Fiat in Europe. The prior strategy had been:
- Fiat focuses on A and B sized cars (subcompact and mini); Chrysler takes the lead on compact (C) and larger cars, jump-started by the use of the recently created C-EVO platform and Alfa Giulietta architecture.
- Lancia adds rebadged Chryslers; Chrysler is abandoned, as a brand, in Europe, except for the U.K.
- Alfa Romeo is relaunched thanks to sharing with Dodge.
- Jeep is returned to the worldwide status it enjoyed in the 1950s and 1960s.
The 2012 appears to make some key changes:
- Fiat will, as a brand, only develop A and B sized cars. It will continue to sell some larger Chrysler cars, e.g. Viaggio and Freemont, under its own brand. Italians will build upscale marques and cars only.
- Lancia will, aside from Ypsilon, only sell rebadged Chryslers, despite prior lack of success along these lines.
- Fiat will try to go upscale to near-premium, across the board, in Europe.
- Otherwise, the Five Year Plan continues. Larger Fiat, Lancia, and (some) Alfa Romeo cars will be based on or developed by Chrysler and Dodge. Jeep will be made into a bigger player worldwide. Fiat Professional and Ram will be merged together - Fiat Professional in Europe, Ram in US.
Here are some opinions from Allpar commentators, selected, edited, and condensed, but first, some words from Sergio Marchionne, as quoted by Il Corriere, and translated loosely:
-
- The relaunch of Alfa in the past failed because they did not have Chrysler's architectures, platforms, basic engines, and dealers.
- Mirafiori plant has the highest costs, so it will go to the high-range cars, along with Grugliasco - Alfa and Maserati.
- The creation of a "Fiat 500 family" is not for Europe, but for places like the U.S., where buyers want a 500, not a Fiat. As noted earlier, the brand will become an entire family, e.g. 500L, and "other surprises."
- The next Freemont will be a "giant Panda." [This might just refer to the styling and marketing.]
RVC is a Italian who has expertise in Fiat operations and the European automotive scene.
Dan Minick has analyzed the worldwide automotive industry for many years.
Allpar analyst and news writer Bill Cawthon wrote,
bethlumboy added this set of projections based on careful analysis:
RedJK summarized - we re-ordered by price class, with trucks at the end:
Also see Fiat Cars • Chrysler-Fiat Alliance • upcoming Chrysler vehicles • Five Year Planhttps://www.allpar.com/cars/chrysler/2013/index.html
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We make no guarantees regarding validity or accuracy of information, predictions, or advice - .
Copyright © VerticalScope Inc. All rights reserved. Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, and Mopar are trademarks of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.