Morty
Now that's interesting... Kinda thought that would have been the direction initially, but we've been on the Giorgio path for so long, that I thought it was largely a done deal. I suspect it is cheaper to do what they are doing, but it does make the weight saving a bit harder. It's certainly easier since the Ghibli bits are already used on a similarly sized vehicle.
So does this mean it's more or less likely to see a 300? My guess is more since the Giorgio based Journey replacement for Dodge will be built in Italy not Brampton... and they'll need to fill the Brampton capacity. This is certainly a bet that the large car market is one they can dominate without the need to build an expanded Giorgio. Does it smack of easier to sell off Alfa, Dodge, other? Take your pick, but not really an impact in my opinion one way or the other - some will disagree.
If Dodge does not get Giorgio, something else is afoot......like a split in the relationship.
There is ZERO reason to update the L platform again except to keep Dodge and Alfa separate. Giorgio was built with Dodge in mind, using Dodge money.
We will wait and see what really happens as this is interesting news. Nothing is official until it happens.
There is ZERO reason to update the L platform again except to keep Dodge and Alfa separate. Giorgio was built with Dodge in mind, using Dodge money.
We will wait and see what really happens as this is interesting news. Nothing is official until it happens.
Or the shift could be to make sure the 300 continues. Who knows at this point.
Seems like a pretty drastic course correction at this point in the plan.
Seems like a pretty drastic course correction at this point in the plan.
The future is not always in CONCRETE form. Flexibility is the key for automotive manufactures to survive.
honestley, Dodge doesnt need Giorgio. its To exotic for a Mainstream performance brand thats also wants to be affordable.. Ghibli is a great platform for Dodge... picture how expensive it would be for Dodge to use Giorgio without of the Giulia's weight savings.
IF the AN report is true (and that seems to be a big question at this point) Giorgio can now be amortized without Dodge, the platform weight savings couldn't be accessed by Dodge without significant cost and the Ghibli, a variant of the L platform, is now the better solution as an affordable means for Dodge. Is this the new "plan"?
I wonder how all the work done before this latest change can be accommodated to the new plan. I picture a bunch of people in Dodge rolling their eyes as they crumple up their work and trash it.
I wonder how all the work done before this latest change can be accommodated to the new plan. I picture a bunch of people in Dodge rolling their eyes as they crumple up their work and trash it.
After the three ring circus of Chrysler and/or other brands being sold to China, I'm having a hard time believing Maser and Alpha are now going to be sold. Something just plain stinks about these rumors.
You're looking at this through the wrong lens - you guys are focusing on cars/platforms. Look at the success of Ferrari stock. Ferrari has the same market cap as FCA, with less than 10% of the production volume. Who do you think is calling the shots in this game?
The line of thought is that they can do the same with Alfa/Maserati, with some sort of technology sharing agreement back to Chrysler.
Hell, I don't know if Fiat vehicles will be sold in North America going forward.
FCA will just become Chrysler again. We've earned our freedom, for better or worse - time will tell.
The line of thought is that they can do the same with Alfa/Maserati, with some sort of technology sharing agreement back to Chrysler.
Hell, I don't know if Fiat vehicles will be sold in North America going forward.
FCA will just become Chrysler again. We've earned our freedom, for better or worse - time will tell.
Isn't the Ghibli platform a modified LX platform itself?
Anyway, the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante just got electric assisted steering (not sure if that's the term in english sorry).
So they've been constantly improving the Maserati models... When they should've been slated for replacement.
And opposed to what Eric says - that this may be a separation of Dodge and Alfa to facilitate an acquisition - I'm afraid about what this spells out for the supposed large size sedans from Alfa and Maserati. There's been no sightings of mules of these cars! I'm afraid they might not use the Giorgio for the full size sedans and instead use the LX or not even release it...
It wouldn't surprise me in the least bit. They've been delaying the launch of sorely needed models in Europe (no sub-compact hatch to replace a moribund Fiat Punto, no FIAT compact SUV that was in the product plan and to replace the Freemont...)
Anyway, the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante just got electric assisted steering (not sure if that's the term in english sorry).
So they've been constantly improving the Maserati models... When they should've been slated for replacement.
And opposed to what Eric says - that this may be a separation of Dodge and Alfa to facilitate an acquisition - I'm afraid about what this spells out for the supposed large size sedans from Alfa and Maserati. There's been no sightings of mules of these cars! I'm afraid they might not use the Giorgio for the full size sedans and instead use the LX or not even release it...
It wouldn't surprise me in the least bit. They've been delaying the launch of sorely needed models in Europe (no sub-compact hatch to replace a moribund Fiat Punto, no FIAT compact SUV that was in the product plan and to replace the Freemont...)
Unfortunately I am unable to access the Automotive news article since I am not a member there, they don't allow access to non-members anymore. But, if true, why is this a bad thing? I have always maintained the LX platitecture is an essentially good one, especially for large cars. Wouldn't there be a certain savings to refine that platform between Maserati, Chrysler, Dodge, since they are really the only FCA brands to sell that class of vehicle right now? I have always thought it was a mistake to dump this architecture without further development, so what am I missing here? It doesn't preclude using the Giorgio platform for a smaller Dodge/Maserati at a later date, does it?
There's only so far a platform can be updated and modified before it's limitations overshadow it's benefits, even with a great starting point like the L platforms. Sometimes regulation (like crash standards) is the arbiter of the end of life for a platform/vehicle as in the case of the Caravan and Viper. A good platform can go a long way, but Father Time will catch up eventually.
How much of this decision came down to problems making the production lines adapt to encompass the larger production envelope required by the Dodges? Perhaps this opens the way for a dodge midsize rwd. which would have been a better fit for the Giorgio platform anyway? Moving to the Ghibli platform would mean a further refinement of the LX and this also makes sense to me. Depending upon how they choose to define the Ghibli platform going forward, I imagine quite a bit can be salvaged from the work to date.
The story is popping up on the car blogs - supposedly the 300 is staying LX, getting a major facelift and will also be getting the big hemis again. They state it will not be updated to Giorgio.
Before Redriderbob, Mike, or Superduckie answers this - the answer is NO for North America (regarding the 392 or Hellcat)!
I had asked about it already...
I had asked about it already...
Falls directly in line with Dodge abandoning Giorgio, which is sacrilegious at this point IMO.
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