ITALIAN giant Fiat holds the distinction of being the car maker with the greenest credentials in Europe.
And with the launch of its new Punto Evo the company is raising the stakes - in terms of both cleanliness and quality.
Acutely conscious of the fact that increasing numbers of people are downsizing to more environmentally friendly, cheaper to run and easier to park models, Fiat has replaced a top notch performer with an even better one.
So out goes the Grande Punto - currently Europe's fifth best seller - to make way for Punto Evo, a car with the potential to prove an even bigger success.
Not only does the new arrival look the part, it also comes with a raft of fresh innovations and safety features.
Inside, the cabin looks and feels classy even in the most basic Active trim, while the piano black panel surrounding the sound system adds an upmarket touch. The seats are also comfortable and the two-tone plastics soft rather than brittle.
Every model in the 22-strong line-up is fitted with Fiat's Blue&Me interface that controls all the car's major functions. However it's well worth the extra £275 to add the slick new Blue&Me Tom Tom.
This means fingertip access to a touchscreen navigation set-up, mobile phone, trip computer and MP3 player with steering wheel commands.
It is compact, links to the car via a discreet connector on the dash and being portable it can be used in any other vehicle. It also includes something called ecorive, whereby owners receive info on how to reduce the environmental impact of their driving style.
The Punto Evo's trump card though is located beneath the bonnet in the shape of two new engine ranges - the MultiAir petrol family and MultiJet II diesels.
All five powerplants in the line-up conform to Euro 5 emissions rules and have fuel-saving Start&Stop technology as standard, the oil-burners boasting such low CO2 that car tax is £35 a year.
MultiAir, which will eventually be rolled out across the whole Fiat stable, works by optimising air intake over the car's entire rev range. The upshot is a reduction in fuel consumption, lowering of emissions and boosting of power - all by an average 10 per cent.
Two 1.4-litre MultiAir engines are available from launch, one producing 105bhp, the other a turbo-charged 135bhp, and there are also the familiar Fiat trim grades of Active, Dynamic, GP, Eleganza and Sporting.
The 1.3-litre MultiJet II - available with 75 or 95bhp - is a development of the proven diesel engine already used by the company and, like the petrol unit, is also more efficient. It will be joined by a 1.6-litre 120bhp model in October.
Entry to the Evo experience is the 8-valve 1.4 Active 77bhp three-door model at £10,995, the only petrol engine not to feature MultiAir technology. Range topper is the 135bhp model in (three-door only) Sporting trim.
Nonetheless it's an engaging car to drive, well balanced and capable of returning just under 50 miles per gallon, though it struggles a bit uphill. Fiat expects this car and the 105bhp MultiAir to prove the biggest sellers.
The latter, which costs £14,095 as a five-door in sporty GP trim and has a six-speed manual gearbox, proved terrific fun to drive around the picturesque Forest Of Dean.
Give the car a few revs and it responds with a lovely peppy engine note and fair degree of punch, though it came up short of the claimed average fuel figure of 49.6mpg.
The ride was also firm, though GP and Sporting versions feature a Sport chassis while the rest have a Comfort set-up.
Regards the Start&Stop, I have driven cars that respond more instantly though the Evo's system works well enough to avoid that feeling that you've stalled the engine.
Safety spec includes a driver's knee airbag, ABS and hill holder. Electric mirrors and front windows, adjustable steering wheel and 'follow me home' lighting are also included on every car.
There's also the scope to personalise with stickers, stripes and various wing mirror covers from £70.
Spirito Di Punto may have been the thrust of a past generation of this car, now Fiat is urging fans of the marque to 'Drive the Evolution' - the Evo certainly has what it takes to succeed.
Fiat plans two-week production stop in February-March amid falling orders
01/26/10
ROME — Fiat will halt car production at all its Italian plants for two weeks starting at the end of February amid a sharp drop in orders, the company said Tuesday.
Some 30,000 workers will be temporarily laid off from Feb. 22 to March 7 after orders this month "sharply declined," reaching a lower level than January last year, Fiat said.
The announcement came a day after Fiat, which has a controlling stake in Chrysler LCC, reported a fourth-quarter loss due to a sharp decline in sales of trucks and construction equipment — even as sales of its small, fuel-efficient cars rose thanks to cash-for-clunkers incentives.
The company also reported a loss for the full year, but cut its net debt level more than anticipated and significantly strengthened its cash position.
It warned that its fortunes in the coming year would depend heavily on whether European governments continue scrapping incentives that have benefited makers of small cars.
Harald J. Wester has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of Alfa Romeo Automobiles, replacing Sergio Cravero, who will assume responsibility for Product Portfolio Planning & Product Concept of Fiat Group Automobiles.
Mr. Wester will maintain his current positions as Chief Technical Officer for Fiat Group and Fiat Group Automobiles and Chief Executive Officer of Maserati and Abarth.
The Fiat Group Chief Executive, Sergio Marchionne, stated: "The purpose of bringing the Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands under the same leadership is to emphasize and leverage the value of the shared qualities of the three brands in terms of their sporting characteristics and performance. Harald Wester, who has demonstrated his enormous commitment on several fronts and achieved optimum results, will bring strong leadership capabilities and solid technical experience and know-how to this project. In his new role, Sergio Cravero will be well positioned to fully leverage his technical and commercial abilities."
Turin, 22 January 2010
Harald J. Wester
Harald J. Wester, born in Linz am Rhein (Germany) on 26 February 1958, received his Masters in Mechanical Engineering from Braunschweig University in 1986. He began his professional career at Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg where he served as General Manager of the Vehicle Research and New Concepts department from 1991 to 1995. Later that year, he joined Audi AG in Inglostadt where he became Program Manager for A2 models and Special Vehicles, a position that he held until January 1999. Subsequently, he joined Ferrari S.p.A. as Director of Product Development until his appointment in 2002 as Group President Engineering and Chief Technical Officer (Research, Development and Technologies) of Magna Steyr AG. In 2004, he joined the Fiat Group where he took on the role of Chief Technical Officer for Fiat Group Automobiles and, subsequently, CTO for the Fiat Group. In addition to these roles, in August 2008 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Maserati S.p.A. and, in January 2009, Chief Executive Officer of Abarth & C. S.p.A.
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Fiat and Sollers Establish Global Alliance in Russia
Naberezhnye Chelny, Russia, Feb 11, 2010 -
A FIAT GROUP Sollers press release follows. Please note 2.4 billion EURO = US $ 3.3 billion
Fiat S.p.A. and SOLLERS have announced the establishment of global alliance in the format of a joint venture for the production of Passenger Cars and SUVs. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Vadim Shvetsov, CEO of SOLLERS, and Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FIAT Group, in the presence of Vladimir Putin, the Prime Minister of Russia.
The total production capacity of the new JV will be up to 500,000 vehicles per year by 2016. Nine new models (C and D segments, SUVs) will be marketed on the Russian market with up to six to be produced on a new global FIAT-Chrysler platform. A minimum 10 percent of the produced vehicles will be shipped to export markets. The FIAT/SOLLERS project will be implemented in Naberezhnye Chelny, located 1,000 Km East of Moscow in the Republic of Tatarstan. The SOLLERS-Naberezhnye Chelny plant production site will be expanded by new production facilities and a technology park for component production.
Development and technical adaptation to the Russian market of the new vehicles will be carried out at the Engineering Technical Centre of the JV, with intellectual property rights for the platform to be contributed to the JV.
Target localization within the framework of the given project will reach no less than 50 percent, including the production of engines and gearboxes and the establishment of a new technology park for the production of components. Moreover, the required components will be produced at the production site of ZMZ and at the new technology park in Togliatti.
Thus, the establishment of FIAT/SOLLERS JV in Russia will become one of the biggest investment projects in the Russian automotive sector and will include all key aspects of vehicle production with high added value.
For implementation of the project the JV expects to get the support from the Russian Government in raising long-term loans at a favorable subsidized interest rate for the whole amount of the investments required, estimated at € 2.4 billion.
“The plans to implement a full-scale joint project reflect our confidence about the future development of the Russian automotive market. By establishing one of the global production centres specializing in the development and production of FIAT and Chrysler Group vehicles in Russia, we will be able to offer our customers the most desirable products in the most attractive passenger car segments and to occupy leading positions in the growing Russian market in forthcoming years,” said Vadim Shvetsov, CEO of SOLLERS.
For Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat Group and Chrysler Group, “Today’s agreement marks a turning point for our presence on the Russian market. This is one of the largest alliances signed by our Group in one of the World’s most important markets. This partnership forms part of Fiat Group’s and Chrysler Group’s strategy of increased internationalization which will allow us to also leverage our two Group’s know-how, expand our geographical footprint, increase customer choice and achieve cost benefits.”
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Nitro Year: 2007 (July Build Date)
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It's been 15 years since Alfa Romeo last sold vehicles in the U.S. market, but according to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, we won't have to wait much longer for a chance to own a vehicle donning the Cross and Serpent. Automotive News is reporting that Marchionne insisted that Alfa will return Stateside in the next 24 months, adding: "I'm a lot more confident now that Alfa Romeo will reconstitute a product offering that is acceptable globally, and more in particular in the United States and Canada."
To make the jump to the U.S. and Canada, Alfa will reportedly need to rely on its newest sibling Chrysler for the appropriate platforms. AN sources say that the most likely Alfas to make the trans-Atlantic journey are the successors to the 159 and 166, but those vehicles could be sitting on Chrysler platforms when they make their way to production. The 159 replacement would reportedly be built in the U.S. with a scheduled 2012 arrival and it could rest atop Chrysler's "compact wide" midsize architecture. The range may eventually also spawn both a sedan and wagon. AN indicates that the 166 successor could be matched up with The Pentastar's large rear drive platform that currently underpins the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, with the vehicle being built at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario plant. The 147 replacement that is scheduled to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show will apparently not be coming to North America.
We're really hoping Alfas will in fact arrive on our shores within the next couple years, but we've certainly witnessed this song and dance before. There is no question that Fiat has to do something with Alfa, though, as global sales that have gone from 203,000 in 2000 to 102,000 in 2009 won't cut it for long.
Fiat 900cc TwinAir engine, to be introduced for Fiat 500 at 2010 Geneva Motor Show
As we keep saying, one of the ways that automakers will meet more stringent fuel economy regulations is by making smaller engines that work harder.
Now Fiat has one-upped its European competition by announcing it will offer a 900cc turbocharged twin in European models of its Fiat 500 mini-car. That engine won't be fitted to the 2011 Fiat 500 to be offered in the U.S. at the end of the year; it will use a 1.4-liter four.
Fiat and Tata only
The tiny new engine, to be called TwinAir (but unrelated to the global air-filter company also called TwinAir), helps Fiat meet increasingly stringent European limits on carbon dioxide emissions.
The company hasn't released figures, but pledges that TwinAir-equipped Fiat 500s will emit less than 100 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
While two-cylinder engines were common in postwar European small cars, Fiat last offered a twin in 1996 in one model of its Cinquecento mini-car.
Today, only one other carmaker now offers a two-cylinder engine in a production car. That's the 623cc, 33-horsepower twin used in the Tata Nano now on sale in India.
Threes common
Many makers offer three-cylinder engines in European models, with the smallest being an 800cc diesel, developing 45 hp, that is offered in European Smart ForTwo models. Other threes are offered by Chevrolet Mitsubishi, Opel, Subaru, Suzuki, and Toyota, among others.
Fiat's new turbo twin develops 85 hp from its 900cc. When it is introduced at next month's Geneva Motor Show, it will be accompanied by a base 65-hp version and a high-performance 105-hp turbo model as well.
Electrohydraulic variable valves
All three twins use the MultiAir technology Fiat pioneered on its small four-cylinder engines. Compared to an engine with standard valvegear, the electrohydraulic system that varies valve timing not only cuts fuel usage by roughly 10 percent but boosts power as well.
Fiat plans to use the two-cylinder in other small cars it sells in Europe and elsewhere. The engine can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG).
__________________
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Nitro Year: 2007 (July Build Date)
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Monday, 22 February 2010 Fiat is temporarily shutting six Italian factories for a fortnight.
The carmaker said the move was needed because the end of car scrappage schemes in Europe had led to "a collapse in orders".
About half of Fiat's Italian car plant workers, some 30,000 people, will be affected. There were demonstrations over the weekend at Fiat factories.
Earlier this month, Italy's government announced it would not be renewing the country's car scrappage scheme.
The plants concerned, which make cars rather than trucks and farm machinery, are in Rome, Turin, Naples and Sicily. Five of them are owned by Fiat and the sixth is a joint venture with Peugeot.
"Over the past year we have had various plant stoppages, but this is first time that all the plants have been closed at the same time for two weeks," said Fiat Group vice-president for communications Richard Gadeselli.
He added: "The car industry in the past used to stockpile new cars, but now we're only building to demand."
The unions have requested a meeting with Fiat's management and the government on the future of Fiat.
The longer-term outlook for Fiat's Termini Imerese factory in Sicily is in question. The car firm plans to shut it in a year's time and relocate some production to other Italian sites.
The Italian government is keen to see the plant remain in operation and has been taking bids from other firms to convert the factory and keep it open.
Story from BBC NEWS:
Chrysler Group Names Laura Soave to Lead Fiat Brand for North America
Auburn Hills, Mich. , Mar 10, 2010 - Chrysler Group LLC today appointed Laura J. Soave to serve as the Head of the Fiat Brand for North America.
Soave will lead the reintroduction of the Fiat Brand in North America, beginning with the Fiat 500. She holds full profit and loss responsibility for the Fiat product portfolio in North America. In her position, Soave, who reports to Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer of Chrysler Group, will work with the brand Presidents and industrial leads to fully integrate Fiat product into the marketing, sales, service and dealer network organizations.
“Laura joins Chrysler with extensive experience in automotive marketing,” said Marchionne. “Her rich background will serve as a springboard for reintroducing the Fiat brand when it takes to U.S. and Canadian roads this December after more than a 25-year absence. This truly iconic car exemplifies Italian style, technology and passion and, offers something more. The 500 heralds a new vision of technology’s role in sustainable mobility.”
Soave joins Chrysler Group from Volkswagen of America where she most recently was the General Manager of Experiential Marketing leading consumer marketing initiatives. While at VW, she also was the head of advertising and communications activities for all large passenger vehicles and SUVs. Prior to that, she worked at Ford Motor Company in a variety of positions including most recently as a Brand DNA Manager where she managed the repositioning of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands.
About Chrysler Group LLC
Chrysler Group LLC, formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group, produces Chrysler, Jeep®, Dodge, Ram Truck, Mopar® and Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) brand vehicles and products. With the resources, technology and worldwide distribution network required to compete on a global scale, the alliance builds on Chrysler’s culture of innovation – first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925 – and Fiat’s complementary technology – from a company whose heritage dates back to 1899.
Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC’s product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.
__________________
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Nitro Year: 2007 (July Build Date)
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2010 Alfa Romeo Giulietta – Official Photos and Info
March 19, 2010
Even with a base motor, this Alfa still qualifies as a hot hatch.
Alfa Romeo will be introducing the most important model in its history at the Geneva auto show . Alfa has been in a tailspin for the last decade or so, and Fiat—and Chrysler—head honcho Sergio Marchionne has made it clear that the brand, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, won’t live to see many more birthdays unless it can prove itself worth sustained support.
The most important Alfa ever is not the next iteration of the 8C supercar, nor is it a ground-breaking new microcar. No, the car upon which the future of the brand hinges is the pedestrian 2010 Giulietta. About the size of the Volkswagen Golf, the Giulietta is the first vehicle to be based on Fiat’s new C-evo platform, an architecture that will underpin a number of Fiat and Chrysler models.
Fiat has released details of its new Doblo model in Europe and the UK. Building on the model’s reputation as a versatile, practical and value for money people mover, the new Doblo boasts improved comfort, style, economy, safety and running costs.
First going on sale in 2000, the Doblo has since sold more than 1 million units around the globe. The new Doblo will be offered in eight variants featuring seating for up to seven passengers (five seats as standard).
Doblo features innovation new bi-link suspension, a new exterior appearance and 790-litre boot that can be expanded to 3200-litres with the seats flipped down. The second and third row seats are also removable.
Engine choices include 1.6- and 2.0-litre turbo diesel and 1.4-litre petrol units. All engines are Euro V compliant and feature Start&Stop technology and a gear shift indicator.
Safety features include standard ABS with EBD, ESP, Hill Start Assist plus front and side airbags.
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rive, whereby owners receive info on how to reduce the environmental impact of their driving style.
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