Fiat to build Jeeps in Italy

[Jimmyb]

It's beginning to look like Fiat's plan for Chrysler includes heavier use of the C-EVO platform that underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. There's already going to be a Dodge based off the C-EVO, and Fiat has just laid out plans to build a new Jeep model on the platform at the company's Mirafiori plant in Italy.

The Jeep model will share the production line with Alfa models, and Fiat is trying to get the work rules tweaked to help support the 280,000 vehicle per year volume. The Detroit News reports that Italian unions are pleased with the plan that bumps volume by about 100,000 cars versus 2009 output.

Most of the Italian-built Jeeps will be exported, mainly to the United States. Engines and transmissions will come from Chrysler's U.S. operations, at least for vehicles headed here. Fiat and Chrysler are sharing plants and volume with apparent ease, with a planned Maserati SUV coming out of Detroit's Jefferson North plant and sharing much with the excellent Jeep Grand Cherokee. A mid-size Fiat SUV is also expected to use the Dodge Journey as a canvas; all moves that underscore how stingy things were under Daimler.

[jzp]

Tee Hee Hee.... Fiats, Italians, let the jokes begin.....

[jklad]

Originally Posted by Jimmyb

... all moves that underscore how stingy things were under Daimler.

Yeah, Daimler also started all the outsourcing that saw the Trenton engine plant stop making all their parts such as piston assemblies, crank & camshafts, water pumps, exhaust manifolds, timing covers, etc inhouse and instead outsource cheap components assembled by trained monkeys in a backyard shed somewhere. The JK's V6, which previously had the reputation of a well built, long lasting and reliable powerplant in the minivan platform has become renound as an oil burning, exhaust-manifold cracking, valve-train chattering, premature wearing POS.

Bring on a new quality Fiat-sourced petrol motor to compliment the excellent Italian CRD we are currently offered; not many people joking about the quality & performance of the CRD (apart from the shitty stock turbo pipes, that is).

[CJDcentralcoast]

and from the information that we've started recieving the 2011 CRD in the Wrangler is going to be even better than the current one!!!

[jzp]

I've had some pretty sad Fiat's in my time... you know what FIAT stands for...

In all seriousness, the Italians seem to have improved things over the years... here's hoping!

[jklad]

Originally Posted by jzp

I've had some pretty sad Fiat's in my time... you know what FIAT stands for...

In all seriousness, the Italians seem to have improved things over the years... here's hoping!

Yeah, my filthy rich boss bought a Maseratti (Fiat) a while back because he was sick of his expensive new BMWs & Mercedes breaking down all the time. Hasn't had one issue with it in the couple of years he's had it so far, so it looks like the Italians have finally pulled their collective fingers out.

I still wouldn't trust anything French though; Citroens and Renaults still have shocking reputations for design, build quality and reliability, & Peugeots aren't much better (though I must say my little '89 205GTi I had years ago was the most fun to drive of any vehicle I've ever owned until the JK)