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Thoughts from the Curb

Car Reviews, News and Random Thoughts from Edmunds.com Automotive Editor James Riswick

Jan 19, 2009 - Fiat + Chrysler, Now That's an Idea

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Straightline has a report from Automotive News speculating about a possible Fiat-Chrysler partnership. I'd say this actually makes sense. Fiat makes good little cars, specifically the Panda, which also underpins the awesome little Fiat 500 and the new Ford Ka (along with being James May's personal car). This platform could serve to make half-decent Chrysler small cars that are in no way related to the Caliber.

It could also provide a means for Fiat to return to America along with Alfa Romeo. We car guys have yearned for those sexy Alfas for about 10 years now, while the latest crop of good small Fiats makes sense in today's economic and energy climate. I for one, really really really want to drive the 500. However, Americans must forget about the joke acronym Fix It Again Tony and the brand's dodgy reliability record that drove them from these shores. Suddenly being built by Chrysler factories is unlikely to restore confidence. Fiat also technically owns Maserati, so nightmares of the Chrysler TC (aka Maserati LeBaron) will come flooding back to car guys everywhere.

It's an interesting idea and the first that actually makes a case for saving Chrysler for something other than jobs.

-James Riswick

8:56 am | Categories: car news commentary
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Comments
sethwilliams - Aug 9, 2009 10:18 pm
http://www.carspace.com/blogs/autosnapshot/Alfa-Romeo--The-Poor-Man-s-Maserati
gearhead1977 - Jan 29, 2009 12:55 pm
I welcome Alfa and Fiat back to the US if it happens. Seeing these cars on Top Gear,etc. makes me want one. My post about the Peugeot posted below carries a similar line of thought on Fiat or Alfa: Americans remember how bad the last mass-built Italian cars that lived on these shores were, and don't like hatchbacks. We like the Italians more then the French though.
sarahsmile90 - Jan 20, 2009 3:14 pm
I hope this happens, I would love to see some Fiats in the US. I also would like to get my hands on a 500, they are all over Europe.
kkrause - Jan 19, 2009 7:31 pm
Please stop using the "C"-Word (Caliber). That is one of the worst cars ever built.
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