Marchionne Chooses U.S. Soil to Get Back at Germans

Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has accused the VW Group of taking advantage of its overseas profits to undercut its rivals in the European market and, thus, create a “bloodbath” for their sales.

Despite VW calling for his resignation as president of the ACEA, the European Auto Manufacturers’ Association, they subsequently made up, with VW CEO Martin Winterkorn and Marchionne settling the issue during the Paris Auto Show.



Marchionne was also re-elected today for a second two-year term as ACEA president. Apparently, though, despite being “good friends” with Winterkorn, he hasn’t buried the hatchet and wants to get back at VW.

Europe is a no-no, as VW is dominant, with a 25 percent share and Fiat is simply fighting to stay alive. In the United States, though, it's a whole different game: the Chrysler Group has an 11.4 percent market share and VW, despite its four brands (VW, Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini) posting a 31 percent increase in sales, commands only 4 percent of the market.

Marchionne has decided to take advantage of this role reversal in the States by offering US$1,000 rebates to current U.S. VW owners if they buy a Fiat or Chrysler vehicle – and the best part is that they don’t even have to sell their VW.

So, the Fiat-Chrysler CEO has found a way to give VW a taste of its own medicine. We’ll have to wait and see a) if it works and b) how his German frenemies will react.

 

 

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New 500L Minivan and 500L Trekking Expand Fiat's Offerings in North America

At the Los Angeles Auto Show, Fiat will hold the world premiere of its all-new 500L Trekking, which is a crossover-flavored version of the 500L small minivan that is already on sale in Europe, but is making its North American debut today ahead of a launch next year.

The 500L is a five-door sub-compact minivan with seating for five and looks that borrow styling cues from the smaller 500 city car, though, we'll leave it to you to decide if Fiat's cosmetic approach is successful.

"Those who love the style and performance that only the Italians can create, can now enjoy space for five, functionality, practicality and value," says Tim Kuniskis, Head of FIAT Brand North America. "The Fiat 500L is the whole package, and it now brings its unique flavor to the American market."

Based on the Italian firm's new "small-wide" architecture, the 500L offers 26 inches more length, plus 6 inches more in height and width over the 500 hatchback, resulting in 42 percent more interior space, according to Fiat.

The North American model is powered by the same 1.4-liter turbocharged MultiAir four-cylinder engine found in 500 Abarth, which produces 160-horsepower and 184 lb.-ft of peak torque. Buyers can choose between a six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed dual dry clutch transmission (DDCT) that drive the front wheels.

For those who want a more rugged look (but nothing more), Fiat offers the 500L Trekking boasting a unique front and rear fascia designs, flared wheel arches, body and bumper moldings and larger 17-inch wheels.

The Trekking also sports a bespoke two-tone Nero/Marrone (black/brown) interior trim and upgraded equipment features such as the Uconnect 5.0 system with a 5-inch touchscreen interface.

The 2014 Fiat 500L and Fiat 500L Trekking models are made at the brand's manufacturing plant in Kragujevac, Serbia, and will hit North American showrooms in mid-2013.

 

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Fiat Won't Offer its Pure-Electric 500e in Europe

At the 2012 LA Auto Show that begins with the press days on Wednesday, November 28, Fiat will display a trio of new models for the American market including the 500c Abarth with a foldable cloth top, the 500L five-door minivan, and the battery-powered 500e.

While the two first models are already available in Europe, the 500e will make its world premiere in LA. According to a report from Autonews, Olivier Francois, global chief creative officer for Fiat and Chrysler, stated that the Italian brand will not sell its electric car in Europe, without elaborating further.

Very few details have been released about the zero-emission model, which is based on the regular 500 featuring an electric motor and a battery that allows for a driving range of around 100 miles or 160 kilometers.

The car is expected to go on sale initially in California only with a price tag of somewhere around $35,000. We'll have full details once the 500e makes its motor show debut.

 

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Fiat's Announces New Battery-Powered 500e, will Debut at the LA Auto Show

The Chrysler Group wants a piece of the (still small) electric-car pie and it will do so through Fiat and its brand new 500e that will break cover at the American Music Awards on Sunday, November 18, before it heads to the 2012 edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of November for its world premiere.

Besides these photos of the exterior and interior, Fiat said that the battery-powered 500 will be available in the state of California in 2013, but for now, the automaker isn't willing to provide any additional information on the car.

The images reveal a slightly modified exterior for the 500 with aerodynamic add-ons and new front bumper and wheels, while inside, the electric model features a two-tone theme plus a digital central gauge and a push-button arrangement for the transmission.

We'll keep you updated on any more details that surface before the show.

 

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