FIAT's Plan to Produce 500s in Mexico

[sptcoupe]

This article describes FIAT's prodcution plans for the 500.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid= ... IxJz6LxxHE

[Fonz]

have you guys seen the interior to the newest 500? (absolutely stunning)

[mdrburchette]

The story you found states the 500 will be sold as a Fiat but this story says it will be rebadged. Wonder what's really going to happen.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/In ... 558#uc2Lst

[sptcoupe]

I understand from our Brazilian partners that FIAT will sell them in Brazil as a Chrysler, becuase they have a limit on the numbers of FIATS they can build and sell in that market, and their FIAT line up in Brazil doesn't need another small car. To make room in their quota, they would have to reduce the number of FIATs produced as other models to make room for it. So, they will make them in Mexico for sale in Brazil. Go figure. The cars sold here are supposedly intended to be badged as FIATS. We'll see.

[So Cal Mark]

Expect an announcement from Fiat on Nov 4th about their long range plans. All current Dodge cars will disapear and Fiats and Alfas will replace them but not until 2012.

[Fonz]

Expect an announcement from Fiat on Nov 4th about their long range plans. All current Dodge cars will disapear and Fiats and Alfas will replace them but not until 2012.

Fiat dealerships maybe?
I would love to get my spider serviced by the people who made it. (Might make it easier for us to get original parts too)

[mdrburchette]

I wouldn't count on that, Fonz. The cars are from a different era and have been all but forgotten by Fiat. Chrysler/Fiat must be making this announcement to get more government money. Chrysler is extremely weak and their vehicles were ranked as some of the worst in reliability according to Consumer Reports. I don't know if 2012 is going to be soon enough to pull Chrysler out of the fire.
http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2009/10/ ... urvey.html

[So Cal Mark]

would you take a Model A into a Ford dealership expecting factory parts and service? Part of the announcement will be that the 500 sold through Chrysler will be badged as a Chrysler. That would be enough to prevent me from buying one

[pope]

Dodge is not going anywhere. Yes, several of the Diamler designed cars are going away eventually, not all at once. Dodge is going back to its performance niche, so I think you can guess which cars are going to stay, and no Dodge minivans. Dodge truck and car are going to be separate divisions.

The 3 Alfas that will eventually be sold here will be manufactured in North America due to exchange rate, cost of transportation and NA bumper and collision test differences.

It is going to be a 6 hour dog and pony media circus on the 4th here in Detroit.

[Foster48x]

Expect an announcement from Fiat on Nov 4th about their long range plans. All current Dodge cars will disapear and Fiats and Alfas will replace them but not until 2012.

You'll probably never see one! According to Mayan calendar/ Columbia Picture Studio's the world is scheduled to end in 2012.

[kristoj]

would you take a Model A into a Ford dealership expecting factory parts and service? Part of the announcement will be that the 500 sold through Chrysler will be badged as a Chrysler. That would be enough to prevent me from buying one

Hate to say it, but I agree with you 100%, Mark. My wife will be very disappointed because she can't wait to get one, but there is no way we would buy one if it were branded as a Chrysler.

[lordxenu]

would you take a Model A into a Ford dealership expecting factory parts and service? Part of the announcement will be that the 500 sold through Chrysler will be badged as a Chrysler. That would be enough to prevent me from buying one

Hate to say it, but I agree with you 100%, Mark. My wife will be very disappointed because she can't wait to get one, but there is no way we would buy one if it were branded as a Chrysler.

From what I gathered Fiat was bringing the 500 over as a Fiat, not as a Chrysler. It was to be the only Fiat available here, other than Alfas of course.

With that said I also read that Fiat is badging the 500 as a Chrysler in markets like SA, where they already have a bunch of small cars or something.

I hope that's the case, not what you guys are saying, it wouldn't look right with that chrysler wing logo on the front.

[pope]

Yes, the 500 will be sold as a Fiat and the first version sold will be the Abarth with 3 versions to come later.

[mdrburchette]

I like what you're saying, Pope, but where are you getting your information?

[ga.spyder]

Dont ever question the integrity of the Pope!
As for taking our cars to a Fiat dealership...its not like they are bringing Tony over here to work on them!Same guys screwing up your Ram truck will be the new ,highly trained Fiat technicians.I am with Denise,Fiat doesnt seem to give a crap about us or our cars.They have been contacted about events,with very limited response.
Craig
ps...according to the Mayans,Dec. 21st,2012 is the end of the world day.So if you could buy one in Oct.,you could drive it for 2 months w/o making a payment.I will pass on the 500 and go for the 'drive til' you burn' sale on a Lambo Superleggera.