Threat from Fiat USA

[spiderverde]

They will not endorse or support anything that is not made by them. Anything aftermarket is a potential warranty problem for them, valid or not. And if your stuff is on their official page, well a claim could be made that they tacitly endorsed the product. A lawyer would no doubt make such a claim, spurious or not. And of course via the Abarth and Mopar brands they will be offering their own competing items. What would you say if they posted their competing items show on cars on an Allison Automotive website? It is clearly a conflict for them. You sell cool stuff and support FIAT, so they might like you but will still view you as a competitor, unfortunately. PB

Sounds like a lawyer talking.... and you may very well be right .. but when a Co. like Fiat is trying to win back the hearts and confidence of the American public.. A little more tactful PR in even the smallest places would go a long way.... especially with the crowd that helped keep their heads barely above the water for 25 years..
I would still like to believe it's "the suits" at Chrysler who are behind this and the people at Fiat-NA are not aware of it..

Can't wait to see where this goes...

[SunnySideUp]

It's got to be about money. Fiat USA is threatened somehow. Pretty simple in my opinion. I found it very effective to vote with my dollar. If Fiat USA has an item I desire and so does Mark, Mark gets my business instead.

It's a shame that Fiat USA would rather sour a lot of people's opinions of Fiat rather than embrace those that helped make the return of their brand welcomed on these shores. Almost makes me want to buy a Mini instead. Almost.

So, Mark - why not do what Foose and Rousch did with Ford? Offer up a performance package that they can market through their dealerships? You get develop it and get your name on it and they get to sell it. There's got to be some fun and profit in there for you somewhere. (Better trademark your name!)

[So Cal Mark]

We've been talking about a rally version of the 500, so we'll see if that plays out. Something on the order of the rally cross cars at the X games last weekend.
What irks me is that Fiat is posting pics on their facebook page of modded 500s and stating how cool they look. It's not the dealers doing the mods, that's for sure. Many of their dealers have bought my Competizione Sport Tuning parts to sell through their parts depts.
I recently found out that Fiat sent a letter to all of the dealers, instructing them not to install aftermarket perf parts on 500s. Since the Abarth is coming, they want owners that desire more perf to trade up and they don't want the dealers doing mods that will satisfy the owners.

[Sunracer]

They will not endorse or support anything that is not made by them. Anything aftermarket is a potential warranty problem for them, valid or not. And if your stuff is on their official page, well a claim could be made that they tacitly endorsed the product. A lawyer would no doubt make such a claim, spurious or not. And of course via the Abarth and Mopar brands they will be offering their own competing items. What would you say if they posted their competing items show on cars on an Allison Automotive website? It is clearly a conflict for them. You sell cool stuff and support FIAT, so they might like you but will still view you as a competitor, unfortunately. PB

Sounds like a lawyer talking.... and you may very well be right .. but when a Co. like Fiat is trying to win back the hearts and confidence of the American public.. A little more tactful PR in even the smallest places would go a long way.... especially with the crowd that helped keep their heads barely above the water for 25 years..
I would still like to believe it's "the suits" at Chrysler who are behind this and the people at Fiat-NA are not aware of it..

Can't wait to see where this goes...

Not a lawyer, just know how they, and corporations, think. No car company will endorse someone else's parts without a corporate deal. May not be right or good or fair, but it is the reality. The old Mopar/Direct Connection catalog used to offer aftermarket parts from big companies under license. You should see how Ferrari behaves about this stuff-same corporate parent.

[FulviaHF]

I suspect it's not even about liability, but simply about wanting to limit the commercial use of the site only to Fiat themselves. They're probably afraid that if they allow outside commercial advertising/promotion on the site, it will somehow dilute their own promotional message. Short-sighted or not, I'll bet it's just that simple.

[So Cal Mark]

I can understand they don't want the competition, but it is Facebook after all and they don't limit the negative comments about the cars on that site. Mostly what I've posted is pics of restoration projects, the same stuff I've posted here.
At the LA cocktail party, I met the Marketing Director, and I asked her if Fiat would be supportive of the aftermarket. She stepped back and wanted to know exactly what I was asking. Now I have my answer.

[spiderverde]

You should see how Ferrari behaves about this stuff-same corporate parent.

Ferrari doesn't have a reputation that needs re-building.... They still should have handled it very differently..

[Sunracer]

You should see how Ferrari behaves about this stuff-same corporate parent.

Ferrari doesn't have a reputation that needs re-building.... They still should have handled it very differently..

My reference is that Ferrari is ruthless in this regard. Playing nice with the aftermarket won't help FIAT's image for reliability.

PB

[So Cal Mark]

nor will it make the brand popular with the younger buyer looking to modify the car

[spiderverde]

Mark,

Best thing you got going for you is that younger buyer will Google "Fiat aftermarket parts" as they're driving out the showroom and find you in a split second from their friggin phone... So no worries ..

Keep your web site up to date... keep blogging on it to keep the search engines looking at you and you''l be fine..

"You Won't Need No Stinkin Chrysler/Fiat/Mopar Facebook Page"..

Still pisses me off though..

Ray

[reinaldo]

Quite a problem but I guess it's just a misunderstanding that can be fixed.

[tartan18]

I'm with you Mark and if there is anything I can do to help just let me know. Fiat has to understand that they are a brand with next to ZERO identification in the US market. What folks here in the USA know about Fiats is what those of us having 30 + year old Fiats have done to preserve the moniker -- and that has only been possible because of folks like Mark Allison. These cars require passion and a lot of business tenacity. I know for a fact that Mark went ahead and had a supplier produce 1000 of a particular gasket/seal just so that they would be available when the official Fiat parts distribution system dried up. I hope this sort of strong arm tactic against after market suppliers doesn't intensify because if it does I am really going to be soured against corporate Fiat. Just my two cents.

[spiderverde]

This whole thread should be forwarded to Laura Suave,...

[ga.spyder]

Interesting that they are wanting to censor your Facebook pictures,but that during Freakout there was a aftermarket company showing off their products? There were 2 highly accesorized 500's from 500 Madness,a Cal. company,on display on the front entrance to the hotel.They sat side by side with the 500's that Chrysler brought.I had someone come up and ask me if I thought FiatNA would have a problem with that.Apparently not.
That is a shame,Mark.Someone there must have the intelligence to recognize that you have done nothing but promote their product.Something,in my opinion,that they have so far failed miserably to do themselves.Other than auto enthusiasts,who even knows what a Fiat is and that they sell cars in this country? The average grandma on the street knows what a Kia is,but ask them about a 500.All weekend at FFO,I had to answer the "Its cute what is it?" or "What is a Fiat" questions from people at the hotel.They have a great product,but they really need some national exposure!!

[beachboy]

must be Karma