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Fiat and Chrysler - the birth of an automotive behemouth
- Thread starter geese
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Maybe so but these are not high volume cars for them. What good is a kick ass design if you sell so few of them?
^^^The PT Cruiser looks like a black cab.
Just checked out their website.
The only one I like is the Crossfire, and only because it's really just a Merc.
The Dodge Challenger doesn't look bad, but I personally dislike the fact that designers have to fall back on really old designs because they can't create something that's both exciting and original. I don't mind a bit of inspiration behind a design, but to blatantly copy an old design entirely is "meh".
The 300 is a box. It embodies American styling a bit too much. They need to shed that image.
Just checked out their website.
The only one I like is the Crossfire, and only because it's really just a Merc.
The Dodge Challenger doesn't look bad, but I personally dislike the fact that designers have to fall back on really old designs because they can't create something that's both exciting and original. I don't mind a bit of inspiration behind a design, but to blatantly copy an old design entirely is "meh".
The 300 is a box. It embodies American styling a bit too much. They need to shed that image.
Hey, I never said GM picked the best looking Chrysler to rip off...
I've always picked GM as the worst of the lot. Completely uninspired designs, and those they can't even pick a good looking car to "borrow" a look from.
^^^Agreed. I think Chrysler's designs are better than GM, and that's not saying much.
I don't even like the styling of the Chevy Corvette. I'm sure it's a brilliant car, but it's not because of the design.
I don't even like the styling of the Chevy Corvette. I'm sure it's a brilliant car, but it's not because of the design.
This alliance is not so crazy an idea as it seems.
If you've seen Fiat's current product line, their three small car models that could be adapted for the USA market (500, Grand Punto, and Bravo) would make for fast selling models here, especially if Fiat can use Abarth's high performance technology to create faster versions of these cars specifically for American buyers (we'll call them pasta burners ).
People forget that Chrysler's production lines are among the most modern in the USA, and Fiat would love to get access to these lines to produce more Fiat models not only for the North American market, but possibly supply the entire Western Hemisphere market, too.
If you've seen Fiat's current product line, their three small car models that could be adapted for the USA market (500, Grand Punto, and Bravo) would make for fast selling models here, especially if Fiat can use Abarth's high performance technology to create faster versions of these cars specifically for American buyers (we'll call them pasta burners
).People forget that Chrysler's production lines are among the most modern in the USA, and Fiat would love to get access to these lines to produce more Fiat models not only for the North American market, but possibly supply the entire Western Hemisphere market, too.
Because some of them aren't practical. So now they need to make cars that look good and are practical. It's certainly something they've done many times before.
from what i read, Fiat gets to retool som chrysler plants to produce alfas and the new 500, which is an nifty little car and would go straight to compete with the mini (fairly popular here, at least in the NY area).
chrysler gets access to small engine and transmission technology and access to fiat's market.
both would benefit from economy of scale if they can sync their production at least to some extent.
some of the alfas are really nice and it wouldn't hurt the eye to see a few lancias wondering around.
chrysler gets access to small engine and transmission technology and access to fiat's market.
both would benefit from economy of scale if they can sync their production at least to some extent.
some of the alfas are really nice and it wouldn't hurt the eye to see a few lancias wondering around.
Chryslers great aesthetics? Hmmm, not as good as Alfa's, but interesting nevertheless. But Fiat's quality??? You clearly never met anyone who had a Fiat.
FWIW, Fiat has taken a 35% equity share in Chrysler, so this isn't exactly a merger. It would become an effective merger if they took over the 20% (?) still owned by Daimler.
Oh dear. Just when Fiat were emerging again as a good car manufacturer.
Chrysler helped to ruin Mercedes-Benz cars for years, please don't do the same for Fiat
It was actually vice versa. First, Daimler were idiots trying to mainstream Jeep( the Patriot, Compass, Commander, and Liberty are complete jokes. Patriot and Compass more so). And Mercedes didn't want anything to do with Chrysler due to the cultural clash.
I'm with Lee, Chrysler has some of the best looking cars out there.
Even GM agrees.
That's because they share the same designer.
I thought that GM had a stake in Fiat, no?
Edit: never mind, they ended that in 2005.
And ending that joint venture cost GM a lot of money......
I'm sure they have, but they are starting from a very low base. They are probably more reliable then they have been for a long while, but you wouldn't compare the quality to a German or a Japanese car.
Basically what I'm saying, is that Chrysler hasnt got anything to learn from Fiat in that respect.
Geese - German quality, hope that doesn't include Mercedes.
Chrysler/FIAT - Don't care as long as FIAT survive and make small cars, including small sports cars.
Cheers,
OW
Chrysler/FIAT - Don't care as long as FIAT survive and make small cars, including small sports cars.
Cheers,
OW
Or VW.
Though it seems like VW has fixed the electrical issues that plagued them awhile back.
bartelby - Thanks for the pointer. It looks a bit fussy, though good to see they are still interested. I'll stick with my X, mid-engined and RWD.
Cheers
OW
Cheers
OW
That Fiat got a Hemi?
Americans and their near 60 year old technology
You guys should join the rest of us in the 21st century...
Also just realised that there is a certain circularity to this.
Didn't Chrysler used to own Lamborghini at one point? The owner of Ferrari now owns a part of Chrysler. Thought i'd throw that there.
Didn't Chrysler used to own Lamborghini at one point? The owner of Ferrari now owns a part of Chrysler. Thought i'd throw that there.