[AlfaCuda]

A coupe or big (by EU standards) sedan won’t sell imo.
First it will need a halo model to get the brand on the global map again even if low volume. Something that grabs headlines. Then they can think of more volume models.

 

[jimboy]

A coupe or big (by EU standards) sedan won’t sell imo.
First it will need a halo model to get the brand on the global map again even if low volume. Something that grabs headlines. Then they can think of more volume models.

A Halo model LIKE a largish Coupe would be perfect, especially if it was a true Pillarless Coupe. (missing the B pillar) Give it an advanced Hybrid power train, styling as good as Tesla's and there you have it, a Halo model for both Lancia and Chrysler that could easily be based on the existing Giorgio architecture.

 

[Lampredi]

First it will need a halo model to get the brand on the global map again even if low volume. Something that grabs headlines.

The 2003 Lancia Fulvia concept was such a missed opportunity...

 

[Medicin-Man]

The 2003 Lancia Fulvia concept was such a missed opportunity...

And guess who swept the project from the table? Yeah, you’re right. And, today’s market for such cars is really limited. The only car that could possibly bring Lancia to where it should be is, I hate to say that, the mighty Delta Integrale. I can imagine a hybrid version too. Like a perfect blend of untamed power and efficiency.

 

[jorisr]

And guess who swept the project from the table? Yeah, you’re right. And, today’s market for such cars is really limited. The only car that could possibly bring Lancia to where it should be is, I hate to say that, the mighty Delta Integrale. I can imagine a hybrid version too. Like a perfect blend of untamed power and efficiency.

Tell us who that was.
It sure as hell wasn't Marchionne.
You should know that Lancia was scheduled to be shut down by Marchionne's predecessor.
Marchionne reversed that decision when he took over.
So please give us the name of the man responsible for not bringing the Fulvia to market at the time.

And yes he could have brought a new Fulvia-like vehicle to market later on and in the period before Chrysler came in to play such a vehicle for Lancia was in their plans.

But the 2003 Fulvia was not killed by Marchionne.

 

[Medicin-Man]

Tell us who that was.
It sure as hell wasn't Marchionne.
You should know that Lancia was scheduled to be shut down by Marchionne's predecessor.
Marchionne reversed that decision when he took over.
So please give us the name of the man responsible for not bringing the Fulvia to market at the time.

And yes he could have brought a new Fulvia-like vehicle to market later on and in the period before Chrysler came in to play such a vehicle for Lancia was in their plans.

But the 2003 Fulvia was not killed by Marchionne.

Of course it was him, if not back then, he defintely was the one who had to decide its fate in 2008. The project was reportedly shelved twice. However, Sergio Marchionne seems to be the kind of person who is more interested in signing landmark deals rather than developing brands.

 

[AlfaCuda]

However, Sergio Marchionne seems to be the kind of person who is more interested in signing landmark deals rather than developing brands.

To be fair he is doing very well with Jeep, Maserati and Alfa Romeo in that order. Plus at the helm of Ferrari things don't look bad either.

 

[pumadog]

As cute as it looks, I doubt a 2-seater FWD coupé by Lancia would have seen a big success. There had been the Opel Tigra and Ford Puma (both 2+2), but those came from much bigger brands. Maybe as a convertible, but that would have cannibalized the Fiat Barchetta.

 

[Lampredi]

To be fair he is doing very well with Jeep, Maserati and Alfa Romeo in that order.

Jeep, Jeeperati and Jeep Romeo.

 

[AlfaCuda]

Jeep, Jeeperati and Jeep Romeo.

I forgot RAM

 

[Medicin-Man]

Clarkson roemt Rally-geschiedenis Lancia in docu over 037 | Auto Edizione (at https://www.autoedizione.nl/clarkson-roemt-rally-geschiedenis-lancia-docu-037/ )

 

[AlfaCuda]

Superb video that.

 

[BASONE88]

Of course it was him, if not back then, he defintely was the one who had to decide its fate in 2008. The project was reportedly shelved twice. However, Sergio Marchionne seems to be the kind of person who is more interested in signing landmark deals rather than developing brands.

He is a shrewd constructor. SM has been looking to build and expand (albeit in the most economical/inexpensive way). BTW (just from a yank's perspective) he appears to have quite the Italian "soft-spot." I can't think of a better opportunity for Lancia's future. I would love to hear what better scenario there might be/have been.?

Lancia has been a priority - and, I think, still remains one. Agreed - it is no - top priority, as you might have it. Rather, it is a piece of the larger puzzle he is trying to solve.

Sadly, his tenure is almost up. The bigger worry ought to be, what happens to Lancia after SM is gone? If there is any solace in that, it is; Sergio is just the captain of a ship which has a pre-ordained destination.

Sergio attempted to do something with Lancia in 2012 in Thema, Flavia, and Grand Voyager. Yes, it was a cheap/easy solution - and not well received.

Had that tack worked, it would have likely opened the door for something like the 2003 Fulvia concept. I, for one, wish it had! This also illustrated what a limited appeal Lancia/Chrysler has in Europe - because, if nothing else, it "filled out" Lancia's product line - nicely.

The top priority has been sustainability. In his view, this comes thru minimal debt/debt service achieved thru a strict focus on high-margin-product (which Lancia has none). BTW, another "great suffer" has been(a lack of) participation in competitive motorsports(excluding Ferrari). This seems to be working.

Jeep is a priority because it is sustainable (and equates to cash-flow). Maserati is cash-flow baby! Alfa Romeo carries more sustainability and cash-flow potential (globally) than pretty much any other brand in the stable/house (except maybe RAM).

The company (FCA) could have been sold in part or whole. Or it could be in a dire situation - where liquidation is imminent. But that is not wanted. Rather, sustainability/expansion have been the focus. Lancia is a part of that.

 

[BASONE88]

Of course it was him, if not back then, he defintely was the one who had to decide its fate in 2008. The project was reportedly shelved twice. However, Sergio Marchionne seems to be the kind of person who is more interested in signing landmark deals rather than developing brands.

He is a shrewd constructor. SM has been looking to build and expand (albeit in the most economical/inexpensive way). BTW (just from a yank's perspective) he appears to have quite the Italian "soft-spot." I can't think of a better opportunity for Lancia's future. I would love to hear what better scenario there might be/have been.?

Lancia has been a priority - and, I think, still remains one. Agreed - it is no - top priority, as you might have it. Rather, it is a piece of the larger puzzle he is trying to solve.

Sadly, his tenure is almost up. The bigger worry ought to be, what happens to Lancia after SM is gone? If there is any solace in that, it is; Sergio is just the captain of a ship which has a pre-ordained destination.

Sergio attempted to do something with Lancia in 2012 in Thema, Flavia, and Grand Voyager. Yes, it was a cheap/easy solution - and not well received.

Had that tack worked, it would have likely opened the door for something like the 2003 Fulvia concept. I, for one, wish it had! This also illustrated what a limited appeal Lancia/Chrysler has in Europe - because, if nothing else, it "filled out" Lancia's product line - nicely.

The top priority has been sustainability. In his view, this comes thru minimal debt/debt service achieved thru a strict focus on high-margin-product (which Lancia has none). BTW, another "great suffer" has been(a lack of) participation in competitive motorsports(excluding Ferrari). This seems to be working.

Jeep is a priority because it is sustainable (and equates to cash-flow). Maserati is cash-flow baby! Alfa Romeo carries more sustainability and cash-flow potential (globally) than pretty much any other brand in the stable/house (except maybe RAM).

The company (FCA) could have been sold in part or whole. Or it could be in a dire situation - where liquidation is imminent. But that is not wanted. Rather, sustainability/expansion have been the focus. Lancia is a part of that.

 

[AlfaCuda]

I believe everything depends upon where in the market can Lancia be slotted in to and if that’s a profitable place. Is Lancia to be in between Fiat and Alfa Romeo? Does it compete with lower end Audis and Mercedes? Does the name still have enough shine left (after years of mismanagement) to be resurrected into a premium brand? Is it viable given that globally Lancia is less known than Alfa Romeo?

One thing is certain. Right now is probably the most opportune time in the last 10 years that Fiat/FCA has ever been in to focus on Lancia.

 

[jimboy]

He is a shrewd constructor. SM has been looking to build and expand (albeit in the most economical/inexpensive way). BTW (just from a yank's perspective) he appears to have quite the Italian "soft-spot." I can't think of a better opportunity for Lancia's future. I would love to hear what better scenario there might be/have been.?

Lancia has been a priority - and, I think, still remains one. Agreed - it is no - top priority, as you might have it. Rather, it is a piece of the larger puzzle he is trying to solve.

Sadly, his tenure is almost up. The bigger worry ought to be, what happens to Lancia after SM is gone? If there is any solace in that, it is; Sergio is just the captain of a ship which has a pre-ordained destination.

Sergio attempted to do something with Lancia in 2012 in Thema, Flavia, and Grand Voyager. Yes, it was a cheap/easy solution - and not well received.

Had that tack worked, it would have likely opened the door for something like the 2003 Fulvia concept. I, for one, wish it had! This also illustrated what a limited appeal Lancia/Chrysler has in Europe - because, if nothing else, it "filled out" Lancia's product line - nicely.

The top priority has been sustainability. In his view, this comes thru minimal debt/debt service achieved thru a strict focus on high-margin-product (which Lancia has none). BTW, another "great suffer" has been(a lack of) participation in competitive motorsports(excluding Ferrari). This seems to be working.

Jeep is a priority because it is sustainable (and equates to cash-flow). Maserati is cash-flow baby! Alfa Romeo carries more sustainability and cash-flow potential (globally) than pretty much any other brand in the stable/house (except maybe RAM).

The company (FCA) could have been sold in part or whole. Or it could be in a dire situation - where liquidation is imminent. But that is not wanted. Rather, sustainability/expansion have been the focus. Lancia is a part of that.

Yes, but. Both Lancia and Chrysler have suffered from sporadic efforts to rescucitate them over the years, so what does this tell potential customers? One thing only, you are taking a chance that this brand may disappear again tomorrow. No buyer wants to purchase a dead brand, so, no takers on these two marques.

Whatever the reaction to the introduction of Chrysler cars into the Lancia line-up was, it should have persisted if only to re-establish the marque as a viable purchase for customers. FCA could have tuned the cars for a more European aesthetic, (which was done, also helping Chrysler in N/A), and offering a line up across Europe, which was just becoming familiar with Chrysler again due to it's ties with Daimler. As time went by Lancia would have been able to cherry pick what it wanted from the Chrysler line-up and adapted it to the home market. Had that been the case, and followed through on by FCA management, Lancia would probably have a derivative of the 200 sedan, a brand new PHEV minivan, Pacifica, a large formal sedan, Thema, and upcoming CUV's/SUV's. They would be firmly established in Europe, not just Italy, as a provider of well priced, mid range vehicles with the potential to become a leading alternative energy Brand.

No Brand within FCA needs to be re-established more speedily than Lancia/Chrysler, as they are both on life support at the moment. That was their way forward, and now with SM's imminent retirement it is very possible we will see the end of Lancia, at least. Yes, the vehicle's were a compromise for the brand, but they weren't terrible vehicles or undesirable, they just weren't true Lancia's. That is a compromise both Europeans and N/A's should have been willing to accept in order to grow the brand and customer base. The vehicles would eventually have become part of each brand in their own unique ways. Do you think that Chrysler is Unique or special, absolutely not! It shares EVERY SINGLE MODEL with Dodge, and previously Plymouth, as well. Yet Chrysler has survived by taking what it was given and making it unique. That is also Lancia's means of survival, but it cannot do so on one vehicle, so it must compromise or die.

 

[BASONE88]

Agreed on your assessment, jimboy.

It is curious, why, there wasn't more of a concerted effort to persist with the - initial attempt - to fill out Lancia's product line. I can guess; this directive wasn't in line with what the company is, only now, realizing - the paying off of debt/elevating stock prices.

Also, Lancia didn't get a version of the new 200. I wonder if the implication here..is that SM never planned on building the car long-term. As it seems like the 200 would have been, certainly, more viable - had they, also, sold it as a Lancia.

Would that vehicle have stepped on any toes(so to speak)in Europe? It seems like it would have slotted, nicely, into the market..over there.

 

[Medicin-Man]

Hello, Lancisti,

unfortunately, we’re 99,99% sure that Lancia will be wound down once the current Ypsilon’s lifecycle is up. Sad end for this glorious brand. I would like to thank Mr. Sergio Marchionne for being the very last nail in Lancia’s coffin by his naive Lancia/Chrysler rebranding affair etc. Of course, it wasn’t just his fault, but, that doesn’t matter anymore. Lancia is fortunately far from forgotten and we should celebrate the immense legacy the brand has left to us. Nothing lasts forever, not even car brands. I’m not an Alfa Romeo fan, for sure, but I hope that at least the Milanese brand will continue to hold the Italian flag in the world with pride and dignity.

 

[AlfaCuda]

Very sad indeed

 

[77 Monaco Brougham]

Very sad indeed

As sad as this is.....it's actually kinder than selling off the brand to another company.....and have Lancia potentially come back to bite you in the (I should have my mouth washed out with soap for using such terms).