Article from todays Telegraph re Fiat/Chrysler ...

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/5280434/How-many-people-will-fit-in-a-Fiat.html

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Fiat will not be in a position to exploit those advantages of scale – because it does not share a single platform with Chrysler or Opel.

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Wrong!!

GP
Croma

This journalist has publically shown himself to be stupid. People won't buy a Fiat 500? Say's who? He has a crystal ball does he? They'll need to buy something smaller when they can't buy SUVs and why not a Fiat?

Fiat are the pioneers of platform manufacturing, with Alfa/Fiat/Lancia/Saab/GM/Ford all being involved in various projects.

Everyone dispelled Fiat as dead 5 years ago. GM were going to buy them then fold the car business. They were doomed. Look how wrong they were. Never underestimate the Italians - they're shrewd people. Very resourceful.

Hellcat said:

This journalist has publically shown himself to be stupid. People won't buy a Fiat 500? Say's who?

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:yeahthat:

I'm sure people were saying the same when the VW Beetle was introduced to the USA back in the 60's, and look at how successful that then became. Closely followed by the Golf/ Rabbit/ Vento. The Yanks have been downsizing for years and a car like the 500 isn't that disimilar in size to the classic Beetle. The Yanks also like 'cute' and novelty looking cars though I doubt if redneck males in the deep south will be seen dead in a 500

Comment left, but I wonder if it will be allowed to be posted.

Very poor article. Why when I do buy a paper I get The Times.

Americans have happily gotten into numerous subcompacts before, and it will happen again. We have been upsizing our cars though and are in need of shrinkage. Not just from FIAT, but Ford and Toyota are having the same idea by giving us the Fiesta and IQ at about the same time FIAT hits. Evidence comes from Honda who's having no trouble selling the Fit here.

America's a big place, with many different auto markets. Yes, there are places where the pickup will continue to rule (and rightfully so) but there is certainly room for more compacts than we have, and that's where the growth in the American auto market is going to be comming from over the next few years anyway.

Well said. The article was badly researched anyway. Typical of the Torygraph

It's comforting to read posts by intelligent, knowledgeable Americans like Reaperman there. With some of the extreme stupidity shown in the media it's nice to know that not all Americans would burn their mouthes on cups of coffee if there wasn't a warning on it.

I work closely with my collegues in the States and they quite like my little Fiats. I've told them about the change of getting Bravo/500 and they're genuinly excited about a shakeup. Today Rav4 and Mustang - tomorrow who knows?