400 Chrysler Dealers Attend Fiat Lovefest
Fiat loves Chrysler dealers. Or at least they want to love those who can help set up shop for the Fiat brand in 165 markets.
On Monday, Chrysler Group LLC played host to 400 dealers who were on hand in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to find out what it will take to join the Fiat dealer network, getting more information about the Fiat brand and history, future product plans, competition, volume expectations and related matters.
Selected dealers will continue to sell Chrysler products, but they’ll also be given the opportunity to sell Fiats beginning with the subcompact Fiat 500 later this year.
Information Packet
Dealers learned what Fiat needs in order to consider their shops and were given information packets to review. Those dealers interested in carrying Fiat will have until September 22, 2010, to present their information to Fiat North America. Selected dealers will be announced in October with the first models arriving in December.
“The Fiat brand offers our dealers the opportunity to be part of a unique experience,” said Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. “Our dealers will be able to interact with a group of individuals that are not part of their current customer base. These are individuals interested in Italian automotive design coupled with fuel efficient technology. Our dealers will be the key point of contact with our customers, and thereby, a crucial part of the success of the Fiat brand.”
North American Manufacturing
Despite its Italian pedigree, the Fiat 500 sold in the United States will have a distinct North American flavor to it. The car will be built in Toluca, Mexico, and the 1.4-liter engine is being built in the United States. That engine features MultiAir technology, something that will provide a 10 percent boost in power while offering a corresponding increase in fuel mileage and decrease in emissions.
Auto Trends will provide additional dealer information and a review of the Fiat 500 over the coming months.
Source: Chrysler Group, LLC
