AN ALTERNATIVE SCENARIO FOR A CHRYSLER MERGER
 

I was just looking at some speculation over on a site called Automotive Traveler. There, the writer has speculated, and that's all it is, speculation, that someone might come out of left field to rescue Chrysler. His speculation? Fiat.

Before you say that's crazy, it might not be. First, Fiat has competitive small cars in segments where Chrysler is lacking. Second, Fiat's Alfa Romeo has been rumored to be returning to the US, but it keeps getting postponed as Alfa Romeo tries to figure out a distribution strategy. Certainly many CDJ dealers wouldn't mind having small Fiats and sprty Alfa Romeos to sell.

And remember, in the early nineties, Chrysler was close to a distribution deal to distribute Alfa Romeos in North America. The author points out that the last imported Alfa Romeo officially imported into America, the 164 which shared its platform with the Saab 9000, had a Chrysler-style aufio system installed.

As for me, having been to Europe many times and rented several Fiats, they've come a long way from their Fix It Again Tony days and their new, retro-styled 500 is a world-beater.

You can read the article here, certainly we should leave some comments on their site.

BTW, this is a very cool site with lots of Chrysler content. The editor is apparently contributor to Musclecar Enthusiast and was the lucky dog who drove a 1970 Challenger R/T with the new SRT8 from Denver to LA on the route of Vanishing Point. Automotive Traveler did a daily trip log back in March which can be viewed here.

http://www.automotivetraveler.com/in...226&Itemid=124http://www.automotivetraveler.com/im.../080424-06.jpg

Tony Richardson

it would be nice to see some one save them other then gm/ferd but we will all just have to sit back and see what happens but what ever happens it will be a sad day for the auto industries from the grunt worker to the suite worker and for us MoPaR lovers :(

I'd personally like this to turn out for the better.

Chrysler is the only one who has their head on right. It looks like all of the FIAT line will come in as low end Chryslers (I'm taking it as the New Avenger chassis and smaller). After some digging around, it looks like FIAT will have control or at least the Jigs for their cars at up to 3 chrysler plants that are "at idle."


Now before this happened, alfa was going to bring their competizone (I think that is how its spelled) into this country in 09. But since this deal is going through with Fiat, I think it will be sooner.

As long as Diamler does not sell the other 20% they have, Chrysler is in good shape.

What will probably happen is that Ford and Chevy somehow get in bed together.

Although I know my chevy's, I can't wait for the 2010 Fiat 500 Abarth SS. Something about 160whp to a 1700lb car just gets me excited.

BTW: I did see a Le Baron TC by Maserati while I was at the bank yesterday.

Maybe Ford will help us out, after all it was the Dodge brothers that loaned Ford the money to start up. Just a thought.
What's a fiat, do they make hair dryers ?:D

Why doesn't the government drop the tax on North American produced cars & trucks ? Are we that helpless that we can't help ourselves.
I hate to say it but Iam looking at buying a new truck this year and it may be a Toyota. The big three just hasn't kept up with warranty and HP, no wonder they are in the shape they are in.

i too like the i force polaradude. i thought fiat was a go? thats what i get for reading b4 knowing the truth.

whats the deal with fiat?
are they gonna use their engines in mopars?

God Help us all.

http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_8.gif God help us is right but can you imagine the speed you could get from a car that small with a hemi in it boy it would be a ride

i dont think they'll use mopar engines in fiats, but boy, that would be sweet

A Fiat with the new 392 crate hemi, too funny, they'd be hard on frames or lack there of....lmao:D

Dead thread, but actually relevant! My plant may actually get that car! SHAP! Sterling Heights Assembly Plant! They are currently building a new paint facility for our plant. That is about a $600 million investment! We are feeling good about the future. [paint plants are HUGELY expensive compared to an assembly facility, usually only about $300 million.]