The Fiat-Chrysler Strategy: Now Featuring Jeep And Alfa

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

It’s becoming increasingly clear as time goes on that the Chrysler five year plan promulgated in November 2009 was merely a stopgap strategy aimed at stabilizing the then-recently-acquired firm while CEO Sergio Marchionne plotted a strategic course globally. Now, with news that Alfa is going to be re-launched with the US as its major focus ( possibly replacing Dodge), we’re getting a better and better picture of where the Sergio Show is headed with his transatlantic alliance. In an interview with Automotive News Europe [sub], Marchionne gives the latest snapshot

In his vision, Alfa Romeo and Jeep both have the DNA and the rich history capable to make them the alliance’s two global brands. “We need to continue to globalize Jeep and Alfa, so the development of architectures and engines that are designed to support these two brands is crucial, and everything else becomes almost secondary,” he said.

Chrysler clearly won’t be a global brand, as its products are rebadged as Lancias in Italy. Fiat will offer full lineups in Europe and South America, but only the Fiat 500 will be a truly global brand, in a role Marchionne compares to BMW’s MINI. Dodge doesn’t even rate a mention in this interview, which can only be interpreted as more evidence that it will be lucky to survive at all.

Though the alliance’s two namesake brands, Fiat and Chrysler, won’t be used on a global basis, branding will be extremely important to the company’s future. In Marchionne’s words:

By 2014, we expect Fiat-Chrysler to reach 5.9 million units and we will have just three main architectures that drive more than 80 percent of that total volume. I have never lived through a period with this level of complexity and this level of optionality

It’s not surprising that Marchionne has chosen Alfa and Jeep to represent his cobbled-together empire globally; clearly they are the two strongest brands in what is now a somewhat bloated portfolio. But this latest development raises two fundamental questions: first, what happens to Chrysler/Lancia and Ram/Dodge, and second, can Alfa and Jeep really move 80% of their volume to three common platforms and maintain their brand integrity? Because if not, it won’t take long before Marchionne finds himself with three platforms and a whole mess of compromised, past-their-prime brands. It’s good to see that Fiat-Chrysler global strategy is beginning to take shape, but this one is clearly not without its risks.


Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 67 comments
  • Zackman Zackman on Oct 31, 2011

    The more I read about Chrysler's comings and goings, I also believe it's just a matter of time before it disappears altogether. Italian cars in the U.S. making a big splash? I don't believe it will ever happen. Of course I've been known to be wrong once in a while. Trouble is, there are simply too many auto brands and models and too few buyers out there.

  • Mjz Mjz on Oct 31, 2011

    eldard: Maserati IS being positioned against the Germans, Maserati is to compete against Porsche.

    • Eldard Eldard on Oct 31, 2011

      So why not concentrate on that instead of Alfa? Bring it only to the US when the Tata Nano comes. That's its real competition, anyway.

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
Next