Fiat to Return to the U.S.

Business Week ^ | 6/6/2008 | David Rocks

[eraser2005]

Italian automaker Fiat (FIA.MI) is looking for partners to manufacture its Alfa Romeo brand and its 500 subcompact in North America. Although the company hasn't finalized plans for its return to the U.S. market, an announcement could come later this year, Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne said Friday. "The U.S. market is very large, and we're not looking to occupy a premier position," Marchionne said. "But I think we do have a couple of brands and products that we can sell successfully there."

[eraser2005]

This *should* be a prime opportunity for Ford. The Fiat 500 subcompact is very closely related to the new Ford Ka, and is in fact built in the same plant in Poland where the 2009 Ka is entering production. A few years ago, Ford considered producing the Ka in North America and selling it in the US, but decided against it.

Now here's an opportunity to share the risk of opening a production line with a partner they're already producing the 500 with...

[1rudeboy]

Dunno about that . . . after the multi-billion dollar beating GM took on Fiat, I suspect Ford will be gunshy.

[martin_fierro]

Fiat to Return to the U.S.

STAND DOWN

THIS IS NOT A BAHOG PING

STAND DOWN

[Domandred]

2009 X-1/9 available? Hated working on my ‘72 but oh man was it fun to drive.

[wendy1946]

The Alfa Romeo was my first choice in European cars in the 50s and 60s.

[Petronski]

LOL

Fix it again, Tony.

[Ouderkirk]

FIAT

Fix
It
Again
Tony

[tractorman]

The new Alfa’s that are out now are actually very cool cars.

[1rudeboy]

I would buy one of these. Chicks dig whitewalls. Black smoke? Not so much.

[massgopguy]

Feeble
Italian
Attempt at
Transportation

[bmwcyle]

I have rented 5 Fiats in Italy. They were fun to drive. You could run them at 220 Km/Hr the Autostrada with no problem.

[gridlock]

Good. Tony needs the work.

[Toddsterpatriot]

Are you sure?

[bill1952]

> an opportunity to share the risk of opening a production line with a partner they’re already producing the 500 with...

In America? - with that UAW contract covering every new factory no matter where it opens?

LOL! Fiat would have to be nuts to try to crack that nut.

Far better to start up in a good solid, low tax, business friendly right to work state, where manufacturing is welcome.
Look to the Red States of the South.

[SoCal Pubbie]

My brother had a 500 in the sixties. Two of them, actually!

[reagan_fanatic]

Failed Italian Automotive Technology

[cornfedcowboy]

Fiat has done a good job as of late. Could be a good move.

[LibWhacker]

Fiat Fiasco

[Eric in the Ozarks]

A friend in Iowa City operated a sports/import car parts shop back in 1970. He made it a point to keep track of the number of 850/X19/128 Fiats that arrived in town and kept exactly that many new starter motors in stock. He sold out of these every winter.

[aculeus]

Peugeot next?