Fiat 500 deal details

Allpar contributor James Hale illuminated the rationale behind making Fiat 500 cars in Mexico rather than at an American plant:
1. Mexico has free trade agreements with the USA and Canada (NAFTA), as well as with the European Union. This means that the country is uniquely positioned to manufacture European brands and export them to the [...]

Gilles: Viper may return, Fiat 500 in 2010

Ralph Gilles spoke today at the Chicago Auto Show. Correspondent Jim Choate was present for Allpar. Gilles replaced Sergio Marchionne at the last moment, when Marchionne had to fly to Russia. Speaking of Marchionne, Gilles said, “I’ve never felt better about where Chrysler is.”

In addition to showing brief teaser images of upcoming work (Grand Cherokee, [...]

Chrysler to spend $500M to start Fiat 500 production at Toluca plant

The plant that has been cranking out PT Cruisers for the past decade will soon be producing another iconic automobile.
Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne announced the company will spend $500 million to retool the plant for production of the Fiat 500 beginning in late December of this year.
Unlike other most other vehicles that will spring from [...]

Snippets: 500 goes on sale in December, sweaters, autographs

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has confirmed the Fiat 500 minicar will go on sale in the U.S. in December of this year.
Automotive News reports Marchionne doesn’t wear the same black sweater every day but buys them online a dozen at a time. The Italian-Canadan executive said the crew-neck sweaters are approved garb for Chrysler employee [...]

Chrysler may use North American plant to built Fiat-based cars

Chrysler is considering building Fiat-based cars at a plant in North America. Among the choices are some existing facilities and the possibility of building a new plant. Some Fiat cars, like the tiny Fiat 500 are already slated for North American production; the 500 will replace production of the PT Cruiser at the Toluca plant [...]

Chrysler to build Fiat 500 engine in 2010

As reported this morning by WXYZ and repeated by Allpar, Chrysler will build Fiat’s “FIRE” (Fully Integrated Roboticized Engine) in Dundee, Michigan, starting in 2010, for use in the Fiat 500. The engine produces 100 hp at 6,750 rpm and 95 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm; a turbocharged version is being developed. The engine [...]