Europeans still appreciate American muscle.

[rickaren]

Dec 07, 2009

Chrysler's muscle cars will keep their U.S. branding in Europe

This 2007 Dodge Charger came in the hopped-up SRT8 version, the kind of muscle cars that Europeans may appreciate.

Apparently, Europeans still appreciate American muscle.

Chrysler's Fiat overseers have decided to sell American muscle cars like Challenger and Charger under the Dodge brand in Europe, just as they are in the U.S. But less distinctive vehicles such as the Journey crossover could become Fiats, Automotive News reports.

Dodge is part of the Chrysler Group. Fiat now has a 20% stake in Chrysler, enough to call the shots. Still, Fiat has decided that some things must stay distinctly American:

"The Challenger and Charger are by definition American vehicles and you cannot turn them into anything else," the News quotes Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne as saying.

Meanwhile, vehicles such as the restyled Journey and the Nitro, due in Europe in 2011, could be sold as Fiats here and in Latin America.

The blending of Chrysler and Fiat in Europe mirrors Fiat's plans for the U.S. It plans to introduce a mix of its models here as well, and products like the Alfa Romeo will likely stick with their own name while some small Fiats models are likely to become Chryslers.

LINK:Chrysler's muscle cars will keep their U.S. branding in Europe - Drive On: A conversation about the cars and trucks we drive - USATODAY.com

[rickaren]

Some Dodge models could wear Fiat badges in European market

December 7th, 2009

According to Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, the Dodge Journey and Nitro might be sold as Fiat products in Europe and Latin America but the brand won’t be changed for iconic vehicles like the Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger.

Describing the modern-day muscle cars as “by definition American,” Marchionne said one cannot turn the Challenger and Charger into something else but he indicated other Dodge vehicles might be rebranded for sales in markets where Fiat is well-established. The Journey and Nitro, both of which are due for a 2011 restyle, are among the candidates.

In addition to possible changes at Dodge, the Chrysler brand
could be expanded to include Lancia vehicles, like the compact Delta and the next version of the Ypsilon subcompact in markets outside of Italy, where Lancia gets 90 percent of its sales. Ram pickups, which Chrysler does not currently offer in Europe, could be added to the lineup offered by the Fiat Professional light commercial vehicle unit. Fiat already offers a compact pickup in some markets.

There’s no talk of rebranding any Jeep models. Jeep has been Chrysler’s leading international brand for years.

LINK:Some Dodge models could wear Fiat badges in European market | Allpar Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep News