Now that the two automakers are joined at the hip, much has been made of the fact that Chrysler will be building small cars using Fiat's platforms and powerplants. Although little information has been revealed regarding what Fiat might do with Chrysler's engineering, The Financial Post is reporting that Fiat will use the LX platform to build the next Alfa Romeo 169 sports sedan in Canada.
The LX platform is used for the well-received Chrysler 300 and its Dodge siblings, the Charger sedan and ill-fated Magnum wagon. Fiat (and Chrysler) CEO Sergio Marchionne is wasting no time utilizing the successful platform to underpin the 169, a vehicle that was rumored to be launch at the end of 2009. The project has been repeatedly pushed back, however, due to management changes and lack of a suitable platform.
IHS Global Insight says that the new sedan will be built at Chrysler's Brampton, Ontario, Canada assembly plant, making the 169 the first luxury European car to be built in Canada. Global Insights analysts forecast the vehicle will come to market in November 2011 with a price tag of about $62,000.
Chrysler spokeswoman Mary Gauthier said that the company is still reviewing production plans and no final decisions on building Fiat vehicles in Canada have been made. Mike Jackson, director of North American product forecasting for CSM Worldwide, a rival consultancy firm to IHS, said he doesn't think Fiat will build any models in Canada.
While we're excited to see what vehicles will emerge from the unlikely matchup of Chrysler and Fiat, we'll have to exercise patience as the rumors fly. At least we can take solace in the fact that the new Fiat 500 is certainly coming our way.
Source: The Financial Post