Chrysler and......Fiat? = Ugh!

[Taosman]

Distressing to hear of this relationship from hell. This could be the end of another American brand.
Fiat Gets Busy in a Hurry to Fix Chrysler - Feature

The Italian renaissance.

BY MARK GILLIES, ILLUSTRATION BY DELUSI AND YOSHI G.
September 2009

Pages: 1 Photos

There are few things we know for certain about the Fiat takeover of Chrysler. But it?s pretty clear that there will be a slew of new Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep products underpinned by Fiat components and that Fiat will use Chrysler?s factories and dealer network to build and sell select Fiat and Alfa Romeo products in America.
On a recent visit to Fiat headquarters in Turin, Italy, we got some heavy hints about Fiat and Alfa cars that will be coming here, plus the cars we might expect from Chrysler. Fiat personnel took pains to stress that Chrysler products will be designed and engineered by Americans for the American market, even if they use many parts from Fiat?s armory. Here?s a rundown of the cars we can expect over the next five years from Alfa, Fiat, and Chrysler/Dodge.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/09q3/fiat_gets_busy_in_a_hurry_to_fix_chrysler-feature

 

[cincibuck]

According to some Fiat has recognized the reliability issue and addressed it. This gives Fiat big cars to market and give Chrysler a hand in the small car market, but it won't keep me from looking at Toyota and Audi for my wheels.

 

[Jake]

I'll stick with Acura.

 

[MaxBuck]

Fiat Gets Busy in a Hurry to Fix Chrysler - Feature

Fiat hasn't ever been able to fix its own cars. Now it thinks it can fix somebody else's?

 

[BrutusBobcat]

This is actually going to be successful. From a business and manufacturing standpoint, it makes a lot more sense than the ill-fated Daimler-Chrysler takeov...I mean, "merger of equals". If one actually READS the article, you'll see that an Alfa Romeo platform will be replacing the dreadful Avenger/Sebring, which is currently based on a Mitsubishi Galant. The truly horrid Caliber will be replaced with what in an ideal world would be renamed the Dodge Neon, and is going to be on Fiat's Punto platform, which is highly regarded in the European press.

Chrysler's hbig rear wheel drive platforms will remain, and get a much needed update. All in all, it's a solid plan. Anything that might bring Alfas to the US is also something to be appreciated.