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Chrysler Allies With Fiat - READ ONLY

526 messages,  Last post on Jul 02, 2012 at 8:44 AM

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What is this discussion about? Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Automotive News

Messages Page 53 of 53

#520 of 526 Styling by hpmctorque

May 24, 2012 (6:55 am)

While the Miata/MX-5 has always been an outstanding car from the standpoint of value, all-around performance, and hitting the bullseye for its intended market, it's styling has arguably been just okay, but unexceptional. Styling is perhaps the key area where Alfa Romeo could add value to the Mazda-Alfa Spyder.
 
Alfas, and the British sportscars the Miata tried to replicate, have that difficult-to-describe ingredient, soul, which excites enthusiasts when the cars are new, and adds sentimental and monetary value when they get old. Why else would there continue to be so much demand for MGs, Triumphs, Austin-Healeys, and old Jaguars and Alfas?
 
Let's hope Alfa applies its magic to the next generation MX-5.

#521 of 526 oversold by steve_ HOST

Jun 04, 2012 (10:19 am)

"The high-performance version of Fiat's diminutive subcompact has been selling as fast as, well, an Abarth. And while customers can still find a few in dealer inventories around the country, those who place orders now will be put on a waiting list for the 2013 model, which is expected to ship this fall."
 
Chrysler stops taking wholesale orders for 2012 Fiat 500 Abarth (Detroit News)

#522 of 526 Parlaying nothing into success by steve_ HOST

Jun 07, 2012 (6:02 am)

"On June 10, 2009, Chrysler Group LLC emerged from a government-sponsored bankruptcy wedded to Italian automaker Fiat SpA.
 
Marchionne paid nothing for a 20 percent stake in a bankrupt Chrysler, but he has since parlayed that into a controlling interest in an automaker that has spent the past year grabbing market share from its foreign and domestic competitors by the fistful. He has also paid back the American taxpayer years ahead of schedule, returned Chrysler to profitability, reopened shuttered factories and again gave people a reason to believe in Detroit. Instead of dragging Fiat down, as many analysts feared, Chrysler is now propping up its Italian parent as Fiat struggles to weather the worst economic storm to hit Europe since World War II."
 
Imported to Detroit: 3 years on, Marchionne proves doubters wrong (Detroit News)

#524 of 526 Something rare by steve_ HOST

Jul 01, 2012 (7:34 pm)

Know how people always think they have a "rare" car because only 486 of them were made in Fire Engine Red with a sunroof and a posi-trac rear end? Well, it may get a lot worse.
 
"The just-released 2013 Dodge Dart will encounter something rare in the car market: a menu offering as many as 100,000 possible combinations of colors and optional features.
 
Rivals including Ford Motor Co., Honda Motor Co. and Hyundai Motor Co. don't offer anything close to this level of à la carte customization. They are sticking with a model of offering a limited selection of options packages amid a desire to keep costs down and research suggesting many consumers find sifting through complex product decisions a tedious chore."
 
Looking at how people buy music now (no more albums or whole CDs), this makes a lot of sense to me, so long as the wait time isn't too long.
 
Ordering Car Features à la Carte (WSJ)

#525 of 526 Re: Something rare [steve_] by bpizzuti

Jul 02, 2012 (6:21 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jul 01, 2012 7:34 pm)
Very very smart of them. One thing turning me off of Hyundai is the fact that I can't get ANY options on the Elantra or Veloster without getting that solar heating system they call a "panoramic sunroof."

#526 of 526 Re: Something rare [steve_] by fintail

Jul 02, 2012 (8:44 am)

Replying to: steve_ (Jul 01, 2012 7:34 pm)
Maybe a last gasp of the German influence, where MB and others for ages in the homeland and other places make everything optional, so you can get very base cars and very individual feature sets. Here for MB anyway, there are some packages, but many things can be chosen alone as well (jacks up the price). I know Porsche operates like this too.

Messages Page 53 of 53

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