I really don't know what your point is in all of this or why you brought up Fiat in the first place, into a discussion that was about Detroit, but ... well... OK....
Re: Fiat Sedici: please note that the article I posted clearly explains the Suzuki origins of the Sedici. I only posted to it (without comment BTW) to illustrate Fiat's involvement with 4 wheel drive in an SUV.
Fiat's new SUV will be this... to be introduced at the end of the year:
http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-content/uploads/Fiat/Bravo/SUV/BravoSUV.jpg Fiat's Jeep-like 4x4 vehicle is the Iveco Campagnola introduced for 2009:
http://www.autoblog.it/post/15626/la-galleria-ufficiale-delliveco-campagnola Iveco Campagnola web site (please click on "technical features" and read):
http://www.campagnola.iveco.com/main_en.html Iveco's "Massif 4x4":
http://www.massif.iveco.com/ And you might be surprised to see Fiat's non-passenger 4x4s:
http://www.italiaspeed.com/2006/cars/other/iveco/11/investor_presentation_lingotto/niche_products.html As you can see Fiat needs no Chrysler knowledge to build true four wheel drive vehicles. LOL.
It is no secret that the big prize for Fiat's involvement with Chrysler is the Jeep brand. It is really the only Chrysler brand that has cachet around the world. The name is an icon. It will be a great addition to Fiat's sterling brand names.... marques that still have romance and allure: Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo. Taking the Jeep brand and adding Fiat off-road technology will ensure Jeeps survival.
Hats off to the Challenger and Viper, but aside from perhaps them, no one is lusting after the Chrysler and Dodge brand names.
(BTW an aside: expect Italy's Ducati to announce buying another iconic American brand: Harley Davidson.)
Anyway, Chrysler/Fiat: as has been continually reported in the automotive and business press: it is Chrysler that is in the most needy situation:
"Fiat has been r
eborn with a knack for producing cool, small cars; its desire to return to the U.S. market after a 20-year break marks
the best, perhaps only, hope for Chrysler." "Documents released by the Obama administration show that
Chrysler can't survive without merging with Fiat SpA."
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200903300015DOWJONESDJONLINE000005_FORTUNE5.htm More (from the Associated Press) Chrysler CEO Nardelli speaking:
"Fiat would make available to us its entire product portfolio and
powertrain technology, worldwide distribution capabilities for vehicles we produce today and synergies in the areas of purchasing and engineering, among others,"
http://www.suntimes.com/autos/news/1479314,AP031609
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BTW: something interesting from a BusinessWeek article in 2006 back when GM bought into Fiat:
"But now, Fiat's slow-moving restructuring suddenly seems to be getting serious traction,
making GM's decision to divorce Fiat look like a $2 billion blunder. "http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/jul2006/gb20060726_749437.htm ------------
Re: Fiat's market share: Fiat with a 60% market share in Italy in 2005? This figure is wrong. Please site your sources. In the meantime: under Marchionne's management the company is continually increasing it's market share at home and the rest of Europe. Some info about Fiat's smash sales success the 500:
http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=6735029This Post was from: https://packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=25230