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Thoughts from the Curb

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

Jan 21, 2009 - Fiat+Chrysler: I Have Hope ... But Not Much


Clockwise from red car in lower left: Fiat Grande Punto, Panda, Doblo, Multipla, Sedici, Qubo, Bravo, 500

I'd love to think that the Chrysler-Fiat alliance means that a flood of little Italian hatchbacks and sexy Italian Alfas will soon be arriving on our shores. I'd love to think that soon American factories will stop producing Calibers (sorry, I know its a dirty word), Sebrings (that's worse), Avengers and Jeep Compasses in favor of Cinquecentos, Pandas and Grande Puntos (never mind the Alfa 159 and Alfa Mito). Oh, what a glorious world that would be.

But I'm sure that won't happen. Other than the Mini-like Cinquecento (500), I don't see Americans buying little hatchbacks -- no matter how good they may be. People would rather own an Avenger because its a sedan and consider hatchbacks ugly and/or for poor people. I just shed a tear, like that Indian standing at the garbage dump.

Therein lies the rub of this merger. Fiat may be able to provide good, small, fuel efficient cars to Chrysler who can in-turn sell and build them in America, but will Americans buy them? And Fiat doesn't sell the sort of midsize sedans Americans would want to buy. Oh, they make a couple Lancias, but those aren't much better than an Avenger (they're certainly uglier).

So while I have hope for the Chrysler-Fiat deal, it's only the sort of hope that has allowed me to watch the Toronto Blue Jays these past 15 years.

-James Riswick

9:03 am | Categories: car news commentary
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Comments
gearhead1977 - Jan 29, 2009 12:45 pm
Fiat isn't known for it's quality either. The cars are usually attractive, the driving engaging and the quality,well...,hopefully they've learned a thing or two. I don't know if anyone recalls the products brought about by the last time Chrysler merged or re-badged products (not Daimler either) How about the last Dodge Monaco, I believe it was really a Renault. AMC Alliance, also a Renault. Granted these are French and not Italians and it was almost 30 years ago, but still. Of course, there were bright spots too. Dodge Colt, Chrysler Conquest, the DSM 3 (Eagle Talon, Plymouth Laser and Mitsubishi Eclipse). Let's hope for more of those if this alliance produces anything, other then a headache for Fiat.
kkrause - Jan 21, 2009 7:05 pm
The 500 is a pretty cool little car. Johnson Controls had one at their Detroit Auto Show because they do much of the interior for it in Europe. It is definitely Mini-like in style. It looks like it would be fun to drive.
sarahsmile90 - Jan 21, 2009 2:16 pm
Hey don't burst my bubble here. I am looking forward to those Fiats being available here, I will be first in line. Let's hope there is much more of this enthusiasm about it and it will all be good....hopefully.
pf_flyer - Jan 21, 2009 10:12 am
Whatever happens it sure seems like Cerebus is going to find a way to divest itself of the car biz in 2009
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