Fiat, Fiat Sedici, New Cars

The last time Fiat performed upgrades to its Sedici small crossover was in 2009, but the Italian company still has a few mild improvements planned for the 2012 model year.

The visual tweaks for the 2012MY Fiat Sedici mainly consist of the redesigned exterior mirrors that incorporate turning signals and are finished in a metallic gray hue, the introduction of a Purple Rebel color (pictured above), fresh alloy wheel designs and new upholstery for the interior.

Fiat says it has also improved the standard equipment across the range including the addition of ESP, a new MP3 player and a 5-inch touch screen navigation and audio system on the flagship trim model.

The Sedici, which is based on the Suzuki SX4, is offered with a choice of two engines, a 1.6-liter petrol delivering 120HP and a 2.0-liter Multijet 16v turbo diesel producing 135-horses.

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PHOTO GALLERY Fiat Group Loses Big in Europe

Just two days ago, we reported that Fiat Group CEO, Sergio Marchionne, said that he would make the North American market Alfa Romeo’s top priority.

Now the Italian automaker’s boss admits that his company is facing huge troubles in Europe as in the first nine months of 2011, the company's sales decreased by 12% compared to the same period last year, with its share in the European market dropping from 8.2% to 7.3%.

Even in its home market of Italy, which used to be a stronghold, Fiat sales for the first nine months of the year have hit their lowest mark in the past 20 years.

Marchionne does not have any delusions that next year the situation will improve: “2012 will not be a great year for the European market”, he told reporters. “Since 2008, Italy has lost 700,000 cars, which for Fiat means a loss of 210,000 cars. There is no point in looking for new models”, he added.

With Europe being –at the moment- a lost cause for Fiat , Marchionne is looking overseas to compensate for his company’s losses.

Right now, the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's biggest profit contributors are the U.S. and Brazilian markets, and that’s where it will focus its efforts. Marchionne denied, however, reports that Fiat will leave Italy, despite losing money - and fast.

At this point, all of Fiat’s five Italian plants are loss making. The management wants more flexible labor deals and increased productivity, something the worker unions react to, with the FIOM metalworkers’ union organizing a strike on Friday.

“It’s a very bad idea”, commented Marchionne on the strike. “It’s certainly no way to encourage investments in Italy.”

Despite Fiat shares losing almost 30% of their value in the first nine months of 2011, Marchionne is not worried. “We have enough liquidity to deal with our requirements for quite a while," the group's boss. "The good news is part of our business is in good shape and generating cash… Europe is a source of concern.”

Now, you’ll never guess which part of "their business" he’s talking about…

Story References: Reuters

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Alfa Giulietta, Alfa Mito, Alfa Romeo, Alfa Romeo 4C, Alfa Spider, Chrysler, Fiat, New Cars, Reports

Out of all the mainstream brands included in the Fiat Group and Chrysler LLC portfolio, Alfa Romeo has the most potential to achieve a global reach and bring in some much needed cash and sales. The Italian company's boss Sergio Marchionne is well aware of this and that's one of the reasons he doesn't want to sell Alfa Romeo to Volkswagen, despite Ferdinand Piechs' persistent efforts.

However, one of the most pressing problems with Alfa Romeo is the constant delays, be that for the successors to models like the 159 series or the company's long-awaited return to the U.S. market.

Suffice it to say, there's no way of being sure that the Fiat Group has managed to sort out the time schedule-related problems when it comes to Alfa Romeo. Nevertheless, at a recent event for investors, the Fiat Group introduced an updated plan for the Milanese brand, which it hopes will revitalize Alfa Romeo through the presentation of new models.

The company's product plan calls for the introduction of two types of cars, described as "brand igniters", which refers to vehicles designed to strengthen the brand's image, and the mainstream "brand sales pillar" models to improve sales.

The first new vehicle to arrive is the carbonfiber-bodied, mid-engined 4C supercar that will also signal Alfa Romeo’s return to the US market in 2013. Although it will be a low-volume seller, the two-seater model's design and advanced technology promise to act as 21st century reminder of Alfa’s sport history and credentials.

The second model that falls under the “brand igniter” umbrella is the brand-new 2014 Spider. According to Alfa Romeo, the roadster will offer both sporty driving characteristics and distinctive styling, while its low weight construction will give it a high power-to-weight ratio.

Of much more importance to Alfa’s expansion and financial viability is the new Giulia saloon and sportwagon, which will be based on an enlarged version of the Giulietta platform. It will replace the 159 in 2014, two years later than originally planed.

Since Alfa will cease production of its current mid-size luxury model at the end of 2012, this will leave the company without a contender in the Audi A4 / BMW 3-Series segment for more than a year. The reason for this gap is that Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne has reportedly rejected the Alfa Romeo styling team’s proposals more than once.

The second volume-seller in Alfa’s “brand pillar” range will be a compact SUV available worldwide. Along with the Giulia, it is expected to contribute greatly to the carmaker’s goal of reaching 400,000 units by 2014 – quite a leap from the 155,000 sales expected this year.

The compact SUV, which will be built in Italy and compete with the likes of the VW Tiguan and Ford Kuga, promises to combine the typical attributes expected in this category with "true Alfa Romeo" styling, handling and performance.

Fans of the brand will be glad to hear that Alfa will launch the first mass-produced rear-wheel drive model since the 75 (sold in America as the Milano) gave its place to the FWD 155 in 1992. The as-of-yet unnamed sedan will be the brand’s luxury flagship model and will most likely share its platform with the Chrysler 300. Apart from being RWD, Alfa has also revealed that it will be powered by a V6 engine with production set to start in 2014.

Central to Alfa’s plans will be the new, all aluminum, direct injection 1.8-literturbocharged engine that will be fitted to a wide range of Alfa’s models producing up to 300-horses.

Last, but not least, Alfa Romeo has also revealed plans about its current portfolio. The Brera/Spider duo will be discontinued towards the end of 2011, while the MiTo will get a five-door version in early 2014 and the Giulietta a mid-life facelift the same year.

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Alfa Romeo and Maserati Brands.

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The Fiat Group has revealed plans to produce a new four-cylinder gasoline direct injection turbo engine for Alfa Romeo at the firm's FMA plant in Pratola Serra beginning in early 2013.

The Italian company said that the all-aluminum powerplant has a displacement of 1.8-liters and will feature advanced technologies such as a 200-bar gasoline direct injection system, dual variable timing and a high-efficiency turbocharger. It will be offered in numerous versions the most powerful of which will develop 300-horses.

While the Fiat Group did not give out any details about the models scheduled to get the new engine, it did say that it has been designed for use in both transversal and longitudinal applications and that it will be compliant with future emissions standards in both Europe (Euro 6) and the U.S. (Tier 2 Bin 5).

The upcoming 4C sports coupe and the delayed Giulia premium sedan that will replace the current 159 will most likely be the first cars to get the new powerplant.

“This is an extremely important step for Alfa Romeo, as we continue to reposition our brand and prepare it for global distribution. The United States remains our primary objective as we prepare for a 2013 introduction of our models,” said Harald J. Wester, Fiat’s Chief Technology Officer and head of the Alfa Romeo and Maserati Brands.

“The dedication of Group-wide resources to develop specific powertrain solutions for the specific needs of Alfa Romeo is a reflection of the renewed thrust we are placing on the development of this brand. This is a first step in a series of initiatives to be implemented in the near future which will reconnect Alfa Romeo to its historical roots as a premium Italian sports car brand,” he added.

Fiat sold 7,982 cars since March with 3,038

Besides having already sold 7,982 cars since March with 3,038 deliveries in July alone, Fiat seems to be reaping great profits from its small model.

That’s because American buyers apparently like to personalize their 500 by choosing pricier editions and adding numerous options. As a result, prices go up generating bigger profits for the Italian brand.

For example, the Sport version accounts for almost half of the 500's sales, despite being $2,000 more expensive than the base Pop version, according to the brand’s chief, Laura Soave.

Moreover, the $19,500 Lounge accounts for 20% of total US sales in the first five months of 2011. Apparently, customizing seems to be the rule rather than the exception.

“A lot of what we ‘re seeing is customers really wanting to build their car” said Soave. And they’re willing not just to pay more, but also wait patiently for six to eight weeks to get their personalized 500 delivered.

The 500 is offered in 14 exterior colors and numerous options that allow for 500,000 different combinations.

Fiat already has 94 US dealerships through which the 500 is sold, and until the end of the year this number will reach 500 across the States. Finally, the high demand of the 500 has forced Fiat to increase its US inventory from the initial target of 60 days to 90 days by the end of July.

Via: Autonews

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Fiat 500 by American design house Scagliarini Motorsports called the 504 Coupe Zagato Elaborata.

we published the news about a limited-production Fiat 500 by American design house Scagliarini Motorsports called the 504 Coupe Zagato Elaborata. Scagliarini claimed in a press release that the car was inspired by the 500 Zagato Coupe launched in Geneva last March, and even used the Italian company’s name.

However, Zagato contacted us today and stated that it has no involvement whatsoever with Scagliarini’s project, nor has it granted permission for its name and logo to be used. Therefore, it intends to use all necessary legal actions in order to protect its individual property.

Here is Zagato’s statement:

“Zagato intend to declare that there isn't any involvement at all regarding the “Scagliarini 504 Coupé Zagato Elaborata”. The Milanese Atelier has been never approached by Scagliarini and neither contacts nor commercial initiatives took place at all.

Due to the above reasons Zagato neither released any approval regarding this project and the Intellectual Property of the Fiat 500 Zagato, nor the use of the Zagato name and logo. In addition, no production tooling have been ever used to design the above Scagliarini. Zagato is taking all the needed legal actions for the purpose”.

FIAT 500 COUPE ZAGATO CONCEPT

Alfa Romeo-Derived / U.S. Made Dodge Photos

A new U.S. market compact sedan to be developed by Fiat and built by Chrysler is set to make its debut appearance at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in the beginning of next year, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

The as-of-yet unnamed model will be badged as Dodge and powered by a Fiat-derived 1.4-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. It’ll also do 40 mpg combined, or at least it will if Fiat wants to net itself a further 5% of Chrysler from Mr. Monopoly Uncle Sam.

The Italian automaker wants to expand its 46% share in Chrysler & Friends by an additional 7.5% courtesy of the U.S. Treasury and Canadian government on top of the 5% it’s expected to get by pushing the 40 mpg envelope.

The new model will be built in Chrysler’s Belvidere plant in Illinois, which the brand is currently spending US$600 million retooling for the job. Production is expected to start later this year. Dealers, such as David Kelleher of David Dodge Chrysler Jeep of Glen Mills, PA are naturally very excited:

“We have never had a viable compact car. This will allow us to reach the entry level customer and it's a perfect fit for Dodge which has been faced with challenges.” [Like having to share a lot with the Chrysler Sebring, for one…]

The Caliber, the closest thing Dodge currently has to a Honda Civic / Ford Focus / Chevy Cruze competitor at present, does a paltry 24 mpg in automatic guise.

The new model will share the same basic floorplan as the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback, which will also be used to underpin five new models over the next three years.

There’s no word yet on a name, but I’m willing to discount Aires, Neon and Stratus as possible contenders.

ALFA ROMEO GIULIETTA