Sergio Marchionne is ruffling more than a few feathers. According to The Detroit News, Fiat’s CEO said the automaker would be better off without Italy and its troublesome unions. Not surprisingly, his comments provoked an angry reaction from labor groups and government officials. The company has been in difficult negotiations with unions over plans to shutter a factory in Sicily next year. While appearing on an Italian TV show last Saturday he said that Fiat could do more business if it eliminated Italy from its operations, adding that “One cannot forever manage operations that are at a loss.” Needless to say, these remarks are unusual for a public figure in Italy. Does this mean that Fiat has plans to pull production out of its home country?
As Fiat continues to map how it can bring more of its Italian cars to the U.S. as part of its control of Chrysler, it may give rise to one name that many American motorists would like to forget: Yugo.
Fiat is ramping up plans for giant plant left over from Iron Curtain days in Serbia that once made the Yugo.
One Yugo model made a brief splash in the U.S. from 1985-91 -- first for being by far the cheapest new wheels on the market at the time (a hair under $4,000 when it arrived), and later for being by far the least reliable new wheels on the market.
Fiat wants to sink $700 million into cleaning the Yugo plant and site of hazardous waste and wants 3,000 workers on the job, the Associated Press reports.
But the plant known as Zastava is running into trouble from Fiat's Italian workers who aren't keen on CEO Sergio Marchionne's plans for more flexible workrules. Marchionne is using the Serbian plant as a bargaining chip, saying it will get more work if Italian workers balk at concessions. Serbian workers are sympathetic.
"Normally, any job that would come here, for our workers, is welcome. But we are not the ones who would like to see workers in another country lose jobs over that," Zoran Mihajlovic, the head of the Zastava auto union, is quoted as saying by the AP.
For now, the Serbian plant would make small minivans.
And yes, old Yugos are found in abundance still running in the former Yugoslavia, even though they were ridiculed in the U.S. as shoddy and unreliable.
Fiat boosts Uno with Cabriolet concept and Sporting trim in Sao Paulo
Oct 28th 2010
If you've traveled overseas and seen the tiny Fiat Panda zipping around town, you'd probably scratch your head in bewilderment as to how much more "no frills" a car could get. Well, the Fiat Uno is your answer. Like the Fiat 500, the Uno is built atop the same chassis as the Panda, but unlike the retro-hatch with its cutesy charm, the Uno is all about getting back to basics. But even basic cars can get an added dose of excitement..."excitement" here being used as a relative term.
The Uno is built by Fiat's South American unit for the Brazilian market where the Italian automaker is, in more ways than one, a driving force. And for the Sao Paulo Auto Show currently under way there, Fiat unveiled two sporty(er) versions of the little economy car.
The more exciting of the two is the Uno Cabriolet, which .......
Fiat confirmed most ‘environmentally friendly’ brand in Europe
01 November 2010
Of the 10 best selling automotive brands in Europe, Fiat Automobiles registered the lowest average CO2 emissions on cars sold in the first half of 2010 according to JATO, a world leader in automotive advisory and research services, founded in 1984 and now operating in over 40 countries. This outcome is now joined by two other exceptional results recorded in the model and group rankings. Although it is true that all of the 20 best selling models in Europe reduced their emissions in the first half of 2010, no fewer than three Fiat vehicles are ranked in the first positions: the Fiat 500 is ranked first with an exceptional value of 116.0 g/km of CO2 (with respect to 2009, it has improved by 3.9 g/km), the Fiat Panda comes second (118.9 g/km) and the Fiat Punto is in fourth place (123.5 g/km). Two Fiat 500 are the final two prizes of a competition being hosted by the Dragonara Casino Bistro and Lounge. Draws are held on Saturday nights between 8pm and midnight and tickets are given out at reception to all patrons at the Dragonara Casino Bistro and Lounge. The final draw will be held on 6 November.
Fiat Doblo Cargo International Van of the Year 2011
Wednesday, 03 November 2010
Quote:
The new Fiat Doblo Cargo was awarded the International Van of the Year Award 2011, winning a total of 128 points of a possible 168 points by a jury made up of 24 specialist commercial vehicle trade journalists representing the same number of countries.
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The new Fiat Doblo van was winner of the International Van of the Year Award 2011 scoring 128 points out of 168.
The trophy was awarded during the recent Hanover International Motor Show, the most important commercial and industrial vehicle show in Europe.
Announcing the 2011 result, chairman of the International Van of the Year jury, Pieter Wieman, said, "The winning van design had impressed the jury on a number of fronts and, above all, by the fact that Fiat has succeeded in widening the number of platform and body varieties to a higher number than any other van in this category. The Doblo range includes, not only a long wheelbase version with high roof, but also a chassis-cab version with flatbed and an OEM truck version."
The jury was particularly impressed with the wide range of engines, which also includes a turbocharged CNG engine and an electric version. Furthermore, the jury was impressed with the driving qualities and the high level of comfort that the different versions of the Doblo offer.
Bosch, Samsung To Supply Lithium-Ion Batteries For Fiat 500EV
Nov 5, 2010
FRANKFURT -(Dow Jones)- SB LiMotive, the joint venture of South Korea's Samsung SDI Co. (006400.SE) and Germany's Robert Bosch GmbH, will supply the lithium-ion battery packs for Fiat SpA's (F.MI) upcoming 500EV electric vehicle that will be launched in the U.S. in 2012 as part of the Italian automaker's tie-up with Chrysler Group LLC.
The deal marks the "first step for SB LiMotive into the U.S. electric-vehicle market," Bosch said in a statement Sunday.
The battery packs will be developed in Orion, Mich., and the battery cells will be produced in South Korea. The battery packs' assembly will be in Springboro, Ohio, the world's largest auto parts supplier by revenue said.
"SB LiMotive has the technical expertise Chrysler will require as it launches this important program. Our established global footprint was a further strong point in our favor," SB LiMotive Executive Vice President Joachim Fetzer said.
Fiat holds a 20% stake in Chrysler and plans to raise its holding to 35% in 2011. Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne also serves as Chrysler's CEO.
Last year, SB LiMotive was named by BMW AG (BMW.XE) as battery supplier for the German luxury car maker's upcoming zero-emission Megacity Vehicle, which will be launched in 2013 under a sub-brand of BMW.
The battery is a key component for electric vehicles as it determines the range and performance of the car.
__________________
Rick
Nitro Year: 2007 (1 of 113,000 sold)
Nitro Model: R/T 4X4 Stone White
CAT-BACK Exhaust, CAI, Projector Head Lamps
Fully-Equipped w/all factory options
Fiat, Chrysler Venture to Make Cars, SUVs at Turin Mirafiori Plant
Nov 26, 2010
Quote:
Fiat SpA plans to build cars and sports-utility vehicles for the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands as part of a joint venture with Chrysler Group LLC at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne said.
The carmaker plans to use U.S. “platforms” and make as many as 280,000 vehicles a year at the plant, Marchionne said in a speech to unions today in Turin. New Jeep and Alfa models will be ready by the fourth quarter of 2012.
Italy’s largest manufacturer is spending 20 billion euros ($26.5 billion) through 2014 to improve factories and vehicle development in exchange for union concessions on work rules. Marchionne said today that new labor rules will be needed for the Mirafiori plant.
Fiat, which acquired a 20 percent stake in Auburn Hills, Michigan-based Chrysler last year, has said it will raise the holding to 25 percent by the first quarter of 2011 and to 35 percent by the end of next year. Marchionne plans to take the U.S. automaker public in the second half of 2011.
“This is the plan we wanted,” Fiat union Fismic general manager Roberto Di Maulo said in an interview. “There’s no uncertainty about the future anymore.” He added that his union wants to complete an agreement with Fiat by Christmas.
The plan “keeps the workforce,” Antonio D’Anolfo, national secretary of the Ugl union, told Bloomberg. “It may lead to new hires.”
Laura J. Soave was appointed Head of the Fiat Brand for North America, in March 2010, with full profit and loss responsibility for the Fiat product portfolio in North America. Soave joins the company from Volkswagen of America (VW) where she most recently was the General Manager of Experiential Marketing.
In her current position, Soave will lead the reintroduction of the Fiat brand in North America, beginning with the Fiat 500. She will work with the brand Presidents and industrial Leads to fully integrate Fiat product into the marketing, sales, service and dealer network organizations.
Before joining Chrysler, Soave was the head of experiential marketing at VW of America. Prior to that, she worked at Ford Motor Company in positions of increasing responsibility, including most recently as Brand DNA Manager where she managed the repositioning of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands. Her professional background includes:
* 2010, Head - Fiat Brand, North America, Chrysler Group LLC
* 2009, General Manager - Experiential Marketing, Volkswagen of America, Inc.
* 2008, General Manager - Marketing Large Cars & SUVs
* 2006, Model Manager - Small Cars
* 2006, Brand DNA Manager, Ford Motor Company
* 2003, Mercury Marketing Manager
* 2002, Zone Manager
* 2001, Franchise Coordinator
* 1998, Parts & Service Manager
* 1997, Customer Relations Manager
Soave holds a Master of Business Administration in marketing from the University of Detroit (2001) and a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Walsh College (1995).
__________________
Rick
Nitro Year: 2007 (1 of 113,000 sold)
Nitro Model: R/T 4X4 Stone White
CAT-BACK Exhaust, CAI, Projector Head Lamps
Fully-Equipped w/all factory options
(Reuters) - Italian luxury sports car maker Ferrari, part of Fiat SpA (FIA.MI) group, posted a 20 percent rise in North American sales in 2010, buoyed by recent model launches.
Sales in Canada and the United States rose to more than 1,750 cars, a record, boosted by sales in its California model and in the new 458 Italia model, which was launched in the summer, Ferrari said on Tuesday.
North America represents about a quarter of Ferrari's worldwide sales in unit terms, a spokesman said, adding Ferrari made no cuts in prices to boost sales.
Earlier this month, Ferrari said it sold a record 300 of its luxury sports cars in China in 2010.
Marchionne's Italy Factory Revamp Approved, Clearing Way for Chrysler Plan
By Tommaso Ebhardt - Jan 15, 2011
Fiat SpA workers approved a 1 billion-euro ($1.3 billion) revamp of the carmaker's oldest factory in Italy, clearing the way for Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne to implement a venture with Chrysler Group LLC.
About 54 percent of employees in a vote supported the investment in the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, in exchange for measures to limit strikes and curtail absenteeism, said Roberto Di Maulo, a representative from the Fismic union, citing preliminary results. About 95 percent of the workers took part in the ballot that ended last night.
Marchionne, 58, needs a majority of the 5,500 employees at the factory to sign off a Dec. 23 accord already approved by most unions as he seeks to turn around Fiat's unprofitable Italian operations and revitalize an alliance with Chrysler by sharing production for Jeep sports-utility vehicles and Alfa Romeo cars. The vote also marks an overhaul in Italian labor relations, which are based on national deals that often make it difficult for companies to reorganize to boost productivity.
“We knew it would have been a close race,” Di Maulo said in a telephone interview. “The high turnout shows that workers were really committed to decide their future. It’s a crucial vote for the future of Fiat.”
The CEO has said he may shift production abroad if the plan wasn’t approved. His tough talk has made Mirafiori, the biggest of Fiat’s six auto factories in Italy, the most important issue in the country the past two weeks, with daily front-page coverage by major newspapers and prompting commentary from political leaders including Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
‘Symbolic’
The vote is “symbolic” and “represents a turning point for the country as Marchionne is trying to break an industrial scheme which needs to be reformed,” Gianluca Spina, dean of the business school at Milan’s Polytechnic, said before the results of the referendum were announced.
The numbers turned around in favor of Marchionne in the fifth of the nine rounds of votes after 440 administrative workers supported the plan with a 95 percent majority.
Fiom Cgil, Fiat’s biggest union which represents 10,000 of the carmaker’s 83,000 workers in Italy, was the only group that didn't sign the Dec. 23 accord, saying the proposal curtails workers rights and worsens their conditions. Fiom has called a strike for Jan. 28 and said it may take legal actions.
Fiat plans to produce as many as 280,000 cars and SUVs annually at Mirafiori for the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands as part of its venture with Chrysler. Production is scheduled to begin by the fourth quarter of next year.
This week, Fiat won an additional 5 percent in Chrysler, boosting its stake to 25 percent after the Auburn Hills, Michigan-based automaker met a performance-related target.
Industrial Spinoff
Mirafiori workers built 178,000 cars in 2009, compared with the 600,000 assembled by 6,100 workers at Fiat’s factory in Tychy, Poland. That means, without taking into account the differences in models and the working hours, productivity at Mirafiori averaged 30 cars per employee a year, compared with almost 100 at Tychy.
Fiat’s European carmaking operations could generate a profit of 390 million euros in 2011 if Fiat were to shift all production to Serbia and Poland, according to Kristina Church, a London-based analyst at Barclays Capital, who predicts a loss for that business of 855 million euros for this year after a 684 million-euro loss in 2010.
Italy's largest manufacturer, which separated its trucks and tractors division this month, added 20.5 cents, or 2.6 percent, to 7.99 euors in Milan yesterday. The stock has gained 19 percent this year, after rising 51 percent in 2010.
Productivity Gains
Mirafiori is part of Marchionne’s 20 billion-euro investment project dubbed “Fabbrica Italia” to revamp Fiat’s five remaining Italian car plants excluding Termini Imerese, which will stop producing cars by the end of 2011. Fiat aims to make 1.4 million vehicles annually by 2014 from 650,000 in 2009.
In addition to extra hours, workers would face shorter breaks and postpone lunchtime until the end of a shift. Abnormal absentees would risk having their pay withheld and unauthorized strikes face disciplinary action.
Between 1998 and 2008, Italian productivity gained 3 percent, compared with increases of 22 percent in Germany and 18 percent in France, according to Bank of Italy Governor Mario Draghi. Labor costs rose 29 percent in Italy, versus Germany’s 20 percent gain.
The workforce at the 2 million-square-meter Mirafiori site, which was inaugurated in 1939 in the presence of fascist dictator Benito Mussolini, reached 50,000 in the 1970s. The number fell in subsequent decades as Fiat opened new plants in the south and moved production abroad. Italian car output dropped from 1.7 million vehicles at the beginning of the 1970s to about 659,000 in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. bankruptcy in 2009.
In a similar referendum last June, about 60 percent of workers at Pomigliano near Naples, Fiat’s least productive factory, supported a reorganization plan.
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