Will Italian Confections Save Chrysler?

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

No prizes for guessing “not so much.” But with its product line dead in the water, Chrysler desperately needs to generate some kind of enthusiasm for its continued existence. And at this point, the promise of what Auto Motor und Sport call “retro-flitzers” like the Fiat 500 and 500 C shown above is the only shot they have. And sure enough, Automotive News [sub] reports that Fiat may export European-built cars in order to speed up the timeline for integration with Chrysler. “We are currently working on a plan to begin shipping the Fiat 500 minicar and the Alfa Romeo 940 [entry-premium car] to the U.S. in about a year,” says the anonymous source. who These cars would be sold at “some” Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep dealers in advance of production of the 500 at Toluca, Mexico and the 940 at an undisclosed American plant. Which means taxpayers will be funding a premium captive-import-led “turnaround.” Oh boy. Meanwhile, Fiat is considering building its production purgatory-bound 169 upper-premium sedan on Chrysler’s LX platform. I can see the “Italian Engineering” ads now.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Blunozer Blunozer on Feb 16, 2009

    I'm not sure if Fiat will fix any of Chrysler's issues, but that 5oo softtop on every teenage girl's wishlist for sure. And hey, who wouldn't like the idea of seeing a few obtainable Italian cars again?

  • Nick Nick on Feb 16, 2009

    What's longer than 'never'. Seriously, Chrysler has time for this Fiat and others to catch on? As if. Cute little car though...sorority pledges should get coupons.

  • MBella MBella on Feb 16, 2009

    Since GM found out tat building cars for Euros in Belgium and selling them for Dollars in the US doesn't work well economically, they decided not to promote the Astra. Too bad too. Probably one of the better cars GM has sold here, and it's going to die.

  • Windswords Windswords on Feb 17, 2009

    Can't say this will so any good for Chrysler but it will be nice to see this car sold here. Funny, there were posters on the interwebs saying that it would take FIAT 2-3 years to bring the 500 up to US specs. FIAT says it will be here next year.

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