Chrysler brand to handle distribution of Fiat 500

[XDCX]

Autoweek is reporting that the Chrysler brand dealers will handle distribution of the Fiat 500 in the U.S. The Fiat 500 will be assembled in Mexico and should be available for sale in the U.S. in the early part of 2011.

Here's a link to the story in Autoweek - click here

It's interesting to note that Chrysler's Peter Fong would not comment on how many Chrysler dealers would have access to the Fiat 500. It appears that Chrysler intends to treat the distribution of the Fiat 500 as a separate franchise - just like the Dodge Sprinter or the old Chrysler TC by Maserati. (Chrysler's last import from Italy.... )

[s32741bb]

What are we going to get if only some dealers get the 500. We better get something new soon with GM and Ford coming out with new model such as the new Lacrosse and new Ford Taurus. Also my Ram Truck sale are about 50% of the previous body style. The Ram is a great truck and do not know if it Chryslers lack of funds for marketing or customers like the new GM and Ford trucks better ?

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by s32741b

The Ram is a great truck and do not know if it Chryslers lack of funds for marketing or customers like the new GM and Ford trucks better ?

That's an interesting question - I don't know how Dodge is doing with the new Ram from a market share perspective?

When the truck first came out we had a thread where many dealers commented that the truck was cold from a sales perspective, even though it was a big improvement over the prior model. At the time we attributed that to the fact the rebates were so strong on the prior year Rams and most of the early production 2009 Rams were fully loaded.

Back to the original topic, my bet is the Fiat 500 will only be available at "select" Chrysler dealers and the factory will issue a separate franchise agreement to dealers who meet their criteria and agree to buy the Special Tool package.

[possum]

We did this "franchise" plan with Crossfire, Viper, Sprinter, TC, 3500/4500 Ram, and others, over the years, and it never has worked. Either sell the car, or not. Do not make it a "separate" vehicle.

Same ole Chrysler.

[crowe]

I’ve heard MSR will be used to determine who gets the 500 & later Fiat.
Another case of a tool used as a weapon.

[possum]

What sane person would ever buy, or even want a Chrysler Franchise?

[s32741bb]

I think Sergio and the other new Chrysler/ Fiat officials need to have a Town Hall meeting so we can find out their agenda soon and also let us tell them our concerns. I can not believe the new Chrysler/Fiat did not do this within 60 days of the merger???

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by s32741b

I think Sergio and the other new Chrysler/ Fiat officials need to have a Town Hall meeting so we can find out their agenda soon and also let us tell them our concerns. I can not believe the new Chrysler/Fiat did not do this within 60 days of the merger???

Great comment - I couldn't agree more.

Based on a post by CL it sounds like Chrysler will have another "Virtual Dealer Meeting" by using a closed-circuit feed to various movie theaters. This is supposed to happen in November and will give the Chrysler dealers their first glimpse of the new products that are part of the "plan."

I am still amazed that Marchionne has not communicated directly with the dealers - it just doesn't make sense.

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by possum

We did this "franchise" plan with Crossfire, Viper, Sprinter, TC, 3500/4500 Ram, and others, over the years, and it never has worked. Either sell the car, or not. Do not make it a "separate" vehicle.

Same ole Chrysler.

I remember the first version of the SRT-4 was also restricted to dealers who attended a special training program. Chrysler has a long history of trying to hold hot product "hostage" and make the dealers jump through hoops in order to get it.

It will be really interesting to see what Chrysler does with the Fiat 500, especially as it relates to pricing and dealer profit margin.

From a dealer's standpoint, I wonder how many 500s you need to retail before it makes business sense?

[s32741bb]

I amost wished that Chrysler and GM had merged with one Sales Group being 1) Chevrolet/ Buick/ Cadillac and the other GM division being 2) Chrysler /Jeep: Chrysler would be 200c/300c/ T/C minivan / new Pacifica/ Aspen and Jeep would be Jeep w/o Compass and J-10 truck (ram) if designed right

[XDCX]

Originally Posted by s32741b

I amost wished that Chrysler and GM had merged with one Sales Group being 1) Chevrolet/ Buick/ Cadillac and the other GM division being 2) Chrysler /Jeep: Chrysler would be 200c/300c/ T/C minivan / new Pacifica/ Aspen and Jeep would be Jeep w/o Compass and J-10 truck (ram) if designed right

A GM/Chrysler merger would have been interesting. I still remember watching CNBC one night when they reported that it was almost certain to happen - the White House just needed to figure out where to get the money to put the deal together.

My impression is politics killed the idea of a GM/Chrysler merger. I'd love to hear the "inside story" - hopefully one of the insiders will write a book and explain what happened behind closed doors.

[dafuzz1956]

I would like to hear the whole inside story to this whole mess we have put up with over the past years leading upto today.