Fiat va vraiment changer le visage de Chrysler....
autonews.com wrote:CHRYSLER'S 5-YEAR PLAN
Fiat-based models will begin rolling out in 2012, exec says
Bradford Wernle
Automotive News
November 5, 2009 - 12:01 am ET
DETROIT -- Starting in 2012, Chrysler Group's alliance with Italian automaker Fiat S.p.A. will bring a raft of new Fiat-based models to all four of Chrysler's brands.
Joseph Veltri, vice president of product planning, unveiled the long-awaited product plan Wednesday. By 2014, 56 percent of Chrysler's vehicles will be derived from Fiat platforms, he said.
Rising sales spurred by new products were a key factor behind Chrysler's projection of a $5 billion operating profit by 2014. CFO Richard Palmer made the forecast today as he wrapped up an eight-hour program outlining Chrysler's strategy for the next five years under new owner Fiat S.p.A.
Palmer said U.S. sales will more than double during that span, from about 950,000 this year to 2 million. Chrysler had maintained that level in its home market for 15 years until last year's collapse.
Under the product strategy, each Chrysler brand will get new nameplates based on Fiat platforms. The real volume begins in 2012.
Highlights of the plan:
• Chrysler brand
Veltri said the Chrysler brand "will be the biggest benefactor" of the relationship with Fiat.
In 2010, the Chrysler Sebring mid-sized sedan will get a new interior and improvements in performance and handling. The redesigned Chrysler 300 also will arrive next year.
In 2012, the Chrysler brand will get a new compact sedan.
In 2013, Chrysler will get a new small car based on Fiat's B platform, a mid-sized replacement for the Sebring and a mid-sized crossover.
In 2014, an all-new Chrysler Town & Country minivan will appear.
• Jeep brand
An all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee arrives in May 2010.
Three existing Jeep products will be refreshed in 2010: the Patriot and Compass crossovers and Wrangler SUV. In 2011, the Wrangler will get a new interior and further upgrades.
In 2013, Jeep will get a small SUV based on the Fiat Panda. In 2013, the brand will replace the Patriot with a Fiat-based SUV. That same year, another Fiat-based SUV will replace the Jeep Liberty crossover.
• Dodge car brand
In 2010, the Dodge Avenger sedan and Journey crossover will be freshened, including new interiors.
Also in 2010, the Dodge Charger rear-drive sedan will be redesigned. Dodge will get a full-sized crossover -- probably the replacement for the Durango - that will be based on the Grand Cherokee SUV.
In 2012, Dodge will get a compact sedan to replace the Caliber, which will be discontinued that year.
In 2013, the brand will get a Fiat-based small car and a mid-sized sedan to replace the Dodge Avenger.
In 2014, an all-new Grand Caravan minivan will arrive.
• Dodge Ram brand
The Dodge Dakota pickup truck will be discontinued after 2011. Dodge is considering a mid-sized pickup based on a car platform, but Veltri said the program has not been approved.
The Ram brand also will get Fiat-based small and large commercial vans in 2012.
autonews.com wrote:Fiat dual-clutch transmissions coming to N.A.
Bradford Wernle
Automotive News
November 4, 2009 - 12:36 pm ET
UPDATED: 11/4/09 2:59 p.m. ET
DETROIT -- During the next five years, Chrysler Group's powertrain lineup will be transformed from one dominated by larger-displacement engines to one dominated by Fiat-derived four-cylinder engines, V-6s and, eventually, electric vehicles.
Chrysler also said today that it will add Fiat-designed dual-clutch transmissions in its North American products.
The company also will launch its new Pentastar V-6 engine on the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in the second quarter next year, said Paolo Ferrero, Chrysler's powertrain chief.
The Pentastar will replace all Chrysler's V-6 engines, from 2.7-liter to 4.0-liter displacement.
The first dual-clutch transmission will appear on a new D-segment vehicle at the end of 2010. Also about that time, Chrysler will launch stop-start technology on the Jeep Wrangler diesel, an existing vehicle in Europe.
The combined Chrysler-Fiat companies will divide into centers of powertrain expertise. Fiat will produce small gasoline engines and diesels, while Chrysler will be the center of knowledge for V-6s and V-8s.
Chrysler was not clear on when, or whether, Fiat diesels will come into the North American lineup.
Chrysler's current engines gradually will give way to a new mix dominated by four-cylinder engines and the new V-6.
In 2010, Chrysler's legacy engines -- those in the stable before Fiat took control -- will account for 84 percent of Chrysler's engine mix. By 2014, the legacy engines will be down to 12 percent.
In 2014, Fiat-derived engines will account for 42 percent of Chrysler's mix. The Pentastar V-6, developed before Fiat came on the scene, will account for 38 percent.
Chrysler also plans to:
• Introduce a 1.4-liter gasoline engine in the Fiat 500 in the fourth quarter of 2010.
• Launch a turbocharged version of the 1.4-liter four-cylinder in the fourth quarter of 2011.
• Apply Fiat technology to Chrysler's Pentastar V-6 -- including MultiAir, which Fiat says improves fuel economy 10 percent by using electrohydraulic valve controls to adjust the air and valve timing for each cylinder. Single and twin turbocharging also will be used.
• Apply Fiat fuel-saving technologies to engines it purchases from outside suppliers, such as the Cummins diesel.
• Continue development of hybrid electric vehicles, including the launch of the Dodge Ram 1500 hybrid electric truck, due out in 2010 as a 2011 model.
autonews.com wrote:Ram brand may expand into heavy trucks
Fiat will add vans to Ram lineup, Diaz says
Rick Kranz
Automotive News
November 4, 2009 - 1:27 pm ET
DETROIT -- The new Ram truck brand, which will operate separately from Dodge cars, might expand into the heavy-truck, 18-wheel segment, said Ram CEO Fred Diaz.
The brand will add Fiat vans to its lineup. The brand expects 415,000 unit sales by 2014, up from 280,000 in 2010.
A new marketing program will debut tonight on national TV, including during the World Series. The tag line is “My name is Ram.”
“Ram and Dodge clearly have a different mission to convey to our customers.” Diaz said. “Ram must focus on truck customers and commercial vehicles.”
All Dodge dealers will sell Ram-brand trucks, including the pickup, and have separate signage on their dealerships.
Here are some product details released at the presentation:
• The Dakota will end production in 2011, replaced by a unibody, unnamed pickup.
• A small imported van from Fiat is planned 2012.
• A re-engineered, restyled light duty Ram is due in 2012.
• A re-engineered, restyled heavy duty Ram is due in 2012.
• A re-engineered, restyled chassis cab Ram is due in 2012.
• A new light commercial van is scheduled for 2012.
