Fiat Doblo May Arrive in U.S. as Ram Commercial Van
Fiat Doblo May Arrive in U.S. as Ram Commercial Van
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
Ford's Transit Connect may have carved a niche in the U.S. market, but it won't be alone for long. Fiat's looking to bring its new Fiat Doblo to the U.S. as a Ram van.
As part of its new product plan, Chrysler is divorcing the pickup and commercial models from the Dodge brand, selling them simply as "Ram" models. Chrysler wants the Ram brand to be home to more than just pickups, and during the 5-year business plan meeting, it revealed it was looking at importing a Fiat-sourced compact van in 2012.
Fiat's new Doblo, launched yesterday, seems like the perfect fit for such a position, and Automotive News confirms that a Doblo in North America is virtually a safe bet. Although the van is offered with a range of gasoline and diesel engines in Europe, powertrains for a North American model have not yet been disclosed. If Fiat takes the same route as Ford did with the Transit Connect, diesels won't be part of the product range, and manual transmissions will be eschewed in favor of automatics.
Like the Transit Connect, the Doblo will likely be built in Turkey and imported to the U.S.
Fiat Group UK has launched a range of service plans for all Fiat cars and vans and for Alfa Romeos. The basic idea is that normal servicing costs are paid on a monthly basis, so customers don't have to cough up for a scheduled service all at once.
The costs depend on what vehicle is involved, how many services are likely to be required and the customer's planned mileage. Exact figures are therefore difficult to quote, but as examples a three-year/27,000-mile plan for a Fiat 500 1.2 petrol might cost £13 per month, while a three-year/31,500-mile plan for an Alfa Romeo MiTo diesel could come in at £15 per month.
There are special plans for low-mileage users and for cars more than three years old, and customers can also opt in for local delivery/collection or a courtesy car. More details from Fiat and Alfa Romeo dealers.
Pricing for the forthcoming Fiat Punto Evo has just been announced by Fiat Group Automobiles UK.
The Punto EVO is a restyle of the Grande Punto after research showed that women preferred the cute front of the 500 to the Maserati inspired front of the Grande Punto. More importantly the new model features FIAT's technically innovative and highly efficient new MultiAir engines.
With a starting price of £10,995 OTR the new car, which goes on sale in the UK in January, represents outstanding value for money. At the top end of the Punto Evo range, the highly specified Sporting 1.4 MultiAir version costs £15,295 – an OTR price that includes sports seats, cruise control, side skirts, air conditioning, sports suspension and 17-inch alloy wheels as standard.
Available with a choice of five low emissions, Euro 5 engines, all fitted with Start&Stop as standard, the new Punto Evo comes in five different trim levels – Active, Dynamic, GP, Eleganza and Sporting.
Among the advanced engine line-up are two power units featuring Fiat’s new MultiAir technology. The full list includes: 1.4 8-valve petrol, 1.4 16-valve MultiAir petrol (105bhp and 135bhp) and 1.3 16-valve MultiJet diesel (75bhp and 95bhp).
Standard equipment in the entry-level Active model includes ABS anti-lock brakes with EBD, driver, passenger and knee airbags, radio/CD/MP3 player, power steering, electric mirrors and Blue&Me infotainment.
Dynamic trim level adds such equipment as side and window airbags, leather steering wheel and air conditioning, while Eleganza models get alloy wheels, cruise control and rear parking sensors as standard. The GP specification includes rear spoiler, dark tinted headlights and foglights.
“There has been much speculation about the price of the new Punto Evo since we first announced the car earlier this year, and we’re delighted now to be able to reveal details,” says Elena Bernardelli, marketing director, Fiat Group Automobiles UK.
“Punto Evo is in an important and highly competitive sector of the market but we are confident that we have a beautifully-equipped car at value-for-money prices that will keep it competitive and desirable.”
The Punto Evo goes on sale through Fiat’s 170-strong UK dealer network in January 2010.
On-the-road pricing for the range is as follows:
More at FIAT
Active 1.4 8v with Start&Stop 3 door
£10,995.00
Active 1.4 8v with Start&Stop 5 door
£11,595.00
Active 1.3 16v MultiJet (75 hp) with Start&Stop 3 door
£12,995.00
Active 1.3 16v MultiJet (75 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£13,595.00
Dynamic 1.4 8v with Start&Stop 3 door
£11,795.00
Dynamic 1.4 8v with Start&Stop 5 door
£12,395.00
Dynamic 1.4 8v Dualogic with Start&Stop 3 door
£12,195.00
Dynamic 1.4 8v Dualogic with Start&Stop 5 door
£12,795.00
Dynamic 1.4 16v MultiAir (105 hp) with Start&Stop 3 door
£13,095.00
Dynamic 1.4 16v MultiAir (105 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£13,695.00
Dynamic 1.3 MultiJet (75 hp) with Start&Stop 3 door
£13,795.00
Dynamic 1.3 MultiJet (75 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£14,395.00
GP 1.4 8v with Start&Stop 3 door
£12,195.00
GP 1.4 8v with Start&Stop 5 door
£12,795.00
GP 1.4 16v MultiAir (105 hp) with Start&Stop 3 door
£13,495.00
GP 1.4 16v MultiAir (105 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£14,095.00
GP 1.3 MultiJet (75 hp) with Start&Stop 3 door
£14,195.00
GP 1.3 MultiJet (75 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£14,795.00
Eleganza 1.4 16v MultiAir (105 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£14,095.00
Eleganza 1.3 MultiJet (95 hp) with Start&Stop 5 door
£15,195.00
Eleganza 1.3 MultiJet (95 hp) Dualogic with Start&Stop 5 door
£15,595.00
Sporting 1.4 MultiAir (135 hp) with Start&Stop 3 door
MILAN: Italian auto maker Fiat said on Friday it had recalled about 500,000 of its Grande Punto and Grande Punto Abarth models in Europe because
of a "possible anomaly" in the steering column.
The company said that half the vehicles recalled were in Italy and the rest elsewhere in Europe.
It added that owners were being contacted by letter, asking them to take their cars to Fiat service centers for an evaluation.
The recall was launched on information provided by Fiat dealers.
Alfa Romeo announces new Giulietta five-door; hatchback Alfa will come to America with Alfa MiTo
December 3, 2009
If nothing derails Alfa Romeo's reentry into the U.S. market, it will bring two small cars, the highly regarded MiTo three-door hatchback and a five-door hatch that will be introduced at the Geneva Auto Show next March. According to a Fiat Group* announcement yesterday , the five-door, based on the MiTo platform, has been named Giulietta.
Giulietta, which means "little Julia" in Italian and pronounced Julie-etta, is a storied name in Alfa Romeo history, the first popularly-priced sedan in Alfa history. Debuting in 1954, it spawned other versions, including a favorite of popularly-priced Italian sports car enthusiasts, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider, and a delightful coupe as well.
Not surprisingly, the new Giulietta shares the current Alfa Romeo styling themes, with what Alfa calls a "trilobe shape" for the front end, with what we think is a successful updating of the classic Alfa "shield" grille that clearly identifies the car as an Alfa.
The front-drive Alfa Romeo Giulietta, which measures 171.3 inches long on a 103.5 inch wheelbase (width is 70.9 inches and height is 57.5 inches), will be available with four engines when it goes on sale in Europe next spring, including two 1.4-liter gas engines, at 120 and 170 horsepower, the latter with the Fiat/Alfa MultiAir variable valve timing system. Two diesels are also planned, a 1.6-liter at 105 hp, and a 2.0-liter at 170 hp.
Most in keeping with the fancies of American Alfisti is the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1750 TBi, with a 1.8-liter turbocharged direct injection four producing 235 horsepower. A Quadrifoglio Verde version, a reference to Alfa's green four-leaf clover racing insignia, will be available later according to the announcement.
All Alfa-Romeo Giulietta models will be equipped with stability control, DST (Dynamic Steering Torque--electric power steering integrated into the stability control system), Q2 electronic differential (splits torque between the two front wheels according to driving conditions and road surfaces) and Alfa Romeo DNA selector.
In this case, DNA stands for Dynamic, Normal and All Weather and lets the driver change between those three modes to, as Alfa puts it, "enhance driving pleasure and comfort." The system modifies operating parameters of the engine, steering, the Q2 electronic differential and fine-tuning, per Alfa, the stability control system.
If all goes according to plan, the first Alfa Romeos--other than the 8C Competizione supercar--will begin arriving in the U.S. in 2011.
The Fiat Qubo is better to drive than you might think - it looks slow on paper but in fact it is quite gutsy and refined. The engine in the Fiat Qubo is the Fiat 1.3 litre muiltijet diesel and it is used across the small fiat car range. It has a top speed of 97 mph and it will reach 60mph in 16.5 seconds.
The boxy looks of the Fiat Qubo come from the van that it was based on, it is very practical. The upright shape and low floor allow it to contain a lot of space; because of the raised seats the ample headroom makes this car comfortable and airy. The sliding doors also make it easy to get in and out. The boot is a good shape but be wary of the huge tailgate this could be a problem when parking in tight spots.
Priced from £10,750 the Fiat Qubo is cheap to buy and very practical, economy is impressive too at 62.8mpg.
New Pipercross induction kit for Fiat 500 and Panda
7th December 2009
Pipercross Panda 100HP Kit
Filtration specialist Pipercross has released a superb induction kit for the new Fiat 500 and Panda 100HP. The smart looking kit not only adds a power and torque increase throughout the rev range, but also gives a throaty induction ‘roar’ under hard acceleration.
This latest kit for the 1.4 16 valve motor comes complete with a precision moulded silicone hose and high flow conical filter, plus all accessories needed for a quick and easy fitment. The filter itself is easily removable for cleaning and maintenance, while the ingenious ‘push-together’ design makes for a quick and easy installation. Fully illustrated fitting instructions are included, making this a realistic home fitment for any moderately talented mechanic.
By placing the filter right behind the front grille, a ready supply of cold air is available to keep inlet temperatures low, resulting in more torque, more power and ultimately, more throttle response through each gear.
The filter inside uses a unique multi-laminated open cell polyurethane foam construction, meaning the Pipercross kit can actually filter down to a much finer rate than the OEM part, preventing any foreign particles from entering the induction tract and protecting the engine. This same construction means that the filter can also go longer between service intervals than even leading cotton-gauze filters, before needing to be cleaned.
Rome..... Italian car giant Fiat defied the economic downturn and recorded a dramatic increase in car sales across Europe in November.
According to the latest sales figures released Tuesday, the Fiat Group recorded a 30.7 percent increase in November sales with Fiat vehicle sales up 33.3 percent and sales of Lancia vehicles up 37.9 percent.
Sales of Fiat’s Alfa Romeo cars rose by 4.5 percent, the company said.
The sales increase was a significant turnaround in the slowdown that has struck the auto industry in the past few months.
More than 1.1 million vehicles were registered across Europe in November - 30.6 percent more than in November 2008.
Fiat posted an increase in sales in all the major European markets posting a massive 136 percent increase in sales in Britain taking its market share to 4.5 percent.
Car sales rose 25.6 percent in Germany, 32.9 percent in France and an 18.7 percent in Spain.
Fiat plans to increase its car production in Italy to up to one million vehicles over the next three years but will shut a factory in Sicily, the company's chief says.
The Turin-based auto empire will restructure its industrial network to increase production from this year's 650,000 to a range between 800,000 and one million, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said at a meeting on Tuesday with government and union officials.
Marchionne is trying to return the Italian automaker to profitability in the face of plummeting consumer demand for new cars and is steering the reorganisation of Chrysler LCC, which Fiat took over in June after it emerged from bankruptcy protection.
The government has been urging Fiat to increase production in Italy. On Tuesday, Marchionne said Fiat would spend eight billion euros ($A13 billion) in investments and R&D over the next two years, with two-thirds of this in Italy.
He said that under the restructuring plan, a Fiat factory in Turin would produce two Chrysler models by 2012.
But he also insisted the company would go ahead with plans to shut down auto production at Termini Imerese, in Sicily, because costs at the plant are too high due to lack of infrastructure in the area.
He said cars coming out of the factory cost up to 1,000 euro ($A1,628) more than those from other plants.
Car production there will shut down next year and Fiat is open to proposals from authorities on how to reconvert the plant, he said.
"For years we have taken upon ourselves to operate the Termini Imerese plant at a loss," Marchionne said in a presentation prepared for the meeting.
"Today we can no longer afford it."
The government and Fiat have been at odds over the closure.
Economic Development Minister Claudio Scajola, who has criticised Marchionne for the plan, said in statement after Tuesday's meeting that he "appreciated" the pledge to increase production, but insisted that the Termini Imerese plant "must be preserved."
Workers demonstrated in front of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's office, where the talks took place, and union leaders announced more protests.
During the meeting, Marchionne also reiterated his request for the government to continue Italy's cash-for-clunkers incentives beyond the end of the year.
He said demand in Italy, which is forecast to remain roughly stable, would plummet if there is no extension on incentives to encourage drivers of older, more polluting cars to scrap them in favour of newer models.
Serbia's Zastava car factory becomes part of Fiat Group
24/12/2009
The year is ending on a high note for one Serbian factory.
Fiat and the Serbian government signed an annex Wednesday (December 23rd) to their 2008 joint venture agreement that will allow the Italian carmaker to take over the Balkan nation's Zastava automobile factory. The document was signed in Belgrade by Fiat Group Vice-President Alfredo Altavilla, Fiat Automobili Srbija CEO Giovanni De Filippis and Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Mladjan Dinkic.
"This is a great day for Serbian industry," Dinkic said. Under Wednesday's agreement, Fiat will acquire a 67% majority stake in the car factory once it has paid half of its 200m-euro share in the founding capital of the joint venture company, as envisioned in the September 2008 deal.
Altavilla said that the money will be transferred by the end of this year. The second 100m-euro installment will be paid in 2010, when Fiat will also invest 700m euros to modernise the car plant located in Kragujevac, Serbia's fourth largest city, about 140km south of Belgrade.
The Serbian government will retain 33% of Zastava, will be providing property and equipment for the joint venture company and will contribute 50m euros to its founding capital.
The annual output of the factory is expected to reach 200,000 cars by 2011. Under Wednesday's deal, that same year, the factory, which already manufactures the Fiat Punto, will start producing two new models to be sold on the US and European markets.
Dinkic said he expects exports to earn around 2 billion euros annually. According to him, the new company will employ about 2,500 workers.
Zastava, which is best known for its Yugo model, produced 16,000 Fiat Puntos for the domestic market this year.
Speaking at a news conference after Wednesday's signing, Altavilla praised Serbian President Boris Tadic for his personal role in clinching the deal.
"Tadic gave us his support and I am truly grateful to him," he said, thanking also the entire Serbian government, and especially Dinkic, for their co-operation and engagement.
In September of last year, Serbian officials hailed the agreement with Italy's largest carmaker as the biggest foreign investment in years.
But implementing the project slowed due to global financial turmoil.
"This means that the economic crisis is at the end for Serbia," Dinkic said before signing the annex Wednesday.
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