Remember when Fiat bought into Chrysler, and there was all that speculation about which models, if an, Fiat would be bringing over to America. More than a few people, me included, were hoping that Fiat would bring in their new 500. A great competitor to BMW’s MINI, for one thing, and it also looked to be a stout performer, given its diminutive proportions.
Turns out Fiat IS bringing the 500 to these shores, and not just any 500, but the sporty 500 Abarth version.
Hey, since we’re talking about German tuners (or at least we were yesterday), check out this Fiat 500 Abarth cranking out 200HP. Now, I’m not one to advocate huge horsepower numbers from tiny little cars to others … but it always worked for me!
Good news for diehard fans of Chryslers retro-styled and uber-flexible PT Cruiser: It is not going to that great junkyard in the sky as part of the death, resurrection, government buy-out, new ownership by Fiat. That was the reports from late last year, but it turns out that there’s enough love, and or sales to make the PT Cruiser a viable proposition for now.
The real question is, as always, why?
I just got off a call with Jim Press and Steven Landry with Chrysler, who were explaining their future plans. The big announcement here is that along with the sale to Fiat, Chrysler has filed a motion with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to reject 789 U.S. dealer agreements, meaning that they’ll be closing them down.
So, what’s gong to happen to current owners who bought from those dealers being closed? As you would expect, they’re saying the customer will be taken care of by other Chrysler dealers… Continue Reading…
After months of back and forth between companies and the U.S. government, new rumors surfacing while others fade, and everyone simply holding their breath, Chrysler announced they will form an alliance with Fiat SpA.
What this means, according to Chrysler’s press release (which is below), Fiat will take 20 percent control of Chrysler, LLC and will be allowed to take an additional 15 percent if they would like. Additionally, Chrysler will have to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy since they did not receive the support they were looking for from their creditors. In the end, the rest of the shares will be split up between the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA), the United States and Canadian governments.
I hope this works, as I would love for Chrysler to bring us a version of the Fiat 500 Abarth. But I am holding my breath as this may turn into “Diamler-Chrysler, Round 2.” Continue Reading…
Woo-Hoo! I knew we’d get some fun stuff out of this Fiat/Chrysler deal!
According to reports, Fiat’s 500, a modern updating of the postwar car that saved Fiat financially and got Italy back on the road (as well as starting the Italian version of the baby boom generation, but that’s another story) is coming to America. Supposedly.
