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The Future of FIAT

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The Future of FIAT

SB1500

SB1500

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I'm wondering what the future of FIAT may be, having had our dealership close and others on here talking about theirs closing too, it doesn't look too good. Are they going to leave the UK market?

They don't seem to have any big news about platforms being developed and as far as I can tell it's starting to really hold them back from competing with the biggest selling car models about... No talk of any serious electric cars either, or the (silly notion) of self-driving. It's a bit worrying in the 20 year pipeline to think about... unless they are developing new technologies in the background somewhere.

But where Dacia and other 'run of the mill' non luxury brands are able to offer so many add ons and premium features etc, will low cost buyers still even go for FIAT? There's very few people out there I have met who would be as keen to drive the current Panda model as they are today in POP spec, let alone as time goes on and luxury features become more commonplace.

The only way I won't buy another FIAT now is if they exit the UK since parts and servicing would be difficult. Then I'd go for a Toyota or Honda, but only for the quality they don't especially appeal to me!

Has anybody else here thought about where FIAT is headed?
 
The last real statement Sergio made before his death, was that Fiat was looking at becoming a two model maker, so that in the future they would sell the panda and the 500 only. They were already talking about canning the tipo, not even 2 years after its launch, the punto has died an unceremonious death and the 500L was a big flop as far as I can tell. The 500x is still (in my opinion) the only decent all rounder that fiat make and even then they do nothing to promote it.

On the other had JEEP now accounts for most of the company profits on its own, the 500x competes directly with Jeep so it makes sense that fiat should kill off the 500x.

In recent years they did exactly the same thing with the Lancia line up which now only consists of the Ypsilon, sold only in Italy, and due to be the last car Lancia produces when it finally reaches the end of its run.

Realistically in 10 years time fiat could see its self going the same way, the only thing that might save it is the passing of Sergio and a new CEO deciding to take things in a different direction. Fiat used to be a huge player in the small car business only a few years ago, but it seems they lost focus and lost their spot at the table.
 
I know you shouldn't speak ill of the dead, but whilst some great cars were launched under Sergios' reign, he cocked up good and proper. Personally, I think he should've just let chrysler die, they would've been no loss to the world of motoring, and concentrate on Fiat, Lancia and Alfa.

Doesn't anybody at Fiat ask themselves what went wrong?! 10 years ago, they had it made: even here in the UK, most of their products sold like hot cakes, yet now they've completely faded away. If they'd just concentrated on pushing what they were so gifted at, who knows where they'd be now. It's tragic really.
 
Seems they focused a little too much on cleaning there debt to me
A few £100 million of r&d updating thing's like the Punto platform and panda/500ect could have seen the sales on them continue

That and a little marketing on the Tipo and bravo for example I'd wager a lot of people don't even know the cars exist it wasn't until recently I've ever seen anything advert for them
 
I've noticed that the Expert and Dispatch have been replaced, and instead of there being a Fiat badged version, there's a Toyota version now...
 
I'm pretty sure the Eurovans (Sevel Nord) have ended (Scudo, Jumpy and Expert). It looks to me as though their replacement in the Fiat range is the Talento, which is a rebadged Renault Trafic (and Nissan).

As far as I can tell, Sevel Sud (Ducato, Jumper, Boxer) is a seperate arrangement and is still going.

I think the Fiorino/Nemo/Bipper arrangement is also coming to an end?
 
According to FCA's plan, FCA will focus on Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Jeep, which are more luxurious and profitable. I am also pessimistic about FIAT's future, as FIAT has virtually withdrawn from Chinese market. The most important is, this this the second time they quitted. As far as I know, FIAT almost abandons the East Asia and North America. So in the future, we may only see FIAT in West Europe and other undeveloped countries. Compared with other European competitors like PSA and VW, FIAT now has no advantages. So the worst result is, FIAT may shrink only within Italy, like Lancia. But for owners around the world, where to get parts?
 
There is another interesting and worrying trend in the FCA current (2018) and future servicing/support/upgrades etc.

1) I gather all 2018 FCA models now come equipped with an EOBD Security Gateway. This (at this point in time) means that independent diagnostic kit (non Fiat kit) can read parameters but not reset error codes or do actuator and other similar diagnostic tests.

2) Just speaking today to a guy in a Fiat dealership they now have to enter all sorts of security codes/data by vehicle chassis numbers. So, for them to do a sat nav update they have to go through the "system" to obtain a sat nav update logged to the vehicle and initiated by them (as all accounts are individual). This means that it takes 1 hour plus to download and update, then they have to install it, another hour. That downloaded update can not be used on another vehicle.

So a simple map (or other vehicle update) takes two hours and this must be repeated for every identical model that requires the same update.

For technicians this could be a bonus, 10 minutes of my time, 50 minutes of company time but it won't be long before any on the ball service manager will suitably make the necessary workshop adjustments. Fine you say but your car will possibly be required to be left at the dealer overnight (or more) for something that could have been done as an authorised "batch update" applicable to all "applicable models" as opposed to a one to one update that could involve 100s+ of cars at your dealership.

This is becoming really bad news as far as I can see/tell.
 
s130 said:
There is another interesting and worrying trend in the FCA current (2018) and future servicing/support/upgrades etc.

1) I gather all 2018 FCA models now come equipped with an EOBD Security Gateway. This (at this point in time) means that independent diagnostic kit (non Fiat kit) can read parameters but not reset error codes or do actuator and other similar diagnostic tests.

2) Just speaking today to a guy in a Fiat dealership they now have to enter all sorts of security codes/data by vehicle chassis numbers. So, for them to do a sat nav update they have to go through the "system" to obtain a sat nav update logged to the vehicle and initiated by them (as all accounts are individual). This means that it takes 1 hour plus to download and update, then they have to install it, another hour. That downloaded update can not be used on another vehicle.

So a simple map (or other vehicle update) takes two hours and this must be repeated for every identical model that requires the same update.

For technicians this could be a bonus, 10 minutes of my time, 50 minutes of company time but it won't be long before any on the ball service manager will suitably make the necessary workshop adjustments. Fine you say but your car will possibly be required to be left at the dealer overnight (or more) for something that could have been done as an authorised "batch update" applicable to all "applicable models" as opposed to a one to one update that could involve 100s+ of cars at your dealership.

This is becoming really bad news as far as I can see/tell.
Click to expand...

This is something that in time is going to come to all cars. For years security experts have been going on about how unprotected cars are against hackers and thieves.

When you can break a window, plug in a device and program a new keyless remote in seconds and drive the car off needing nothing more than a new piece of glass, then they have to do something to take control. More and more new cars are being fitted with telematics, making them prone to hacking wirelessly via their onboard sim cards and WiFi networks
 
AndyRKett said:
This is something that in time is going to come to all cars. For years security experts have been going on about how unprotected cars are against hackers and thieves.

When you can break a window, plug in a device and program a new keyless remote in seconds and drive the car off needing nothing more than a new piece of glass, then they have to do something to take control. More and more new cars are being fitted with telematics, making them prone to hacking wirelessly via their onboard sim cards and WiFi networks
Click to expand...

I have no problem with increased security measures. Blocking security related functions like key programming, emergency start override, alarm settings etc. is one thing but blocking vehicle diagnostics, fault code resetting, parameter reading, actuator tests ....... is a completely different matter. Who owns the blinking car? You/me or Fiat?
 
varesecrazy said:
FIATCHRYSLER sold off Magneti Marelli this week.

That has been a constant through my time owning them..



Whatever happened to the 'FIREFLY' 3 cylinder motors.. were supposed to be sold in Europe by now..?
Click to expand...



Perhaps it’s on hold as they scramble to work on a more sustainable electric / hybrid power train for the next 5-10 years?

They seem to be Struggling to find a partner. Could they really do it in house with their resources?
 
I'm an an interesting position right now in looking to replace two Fiats with one new car. I have two Fiat's from different ends of the product spectrum. A 124Spider and a Panda. I must say I am quite impressed with the 500X we have tried. Although it isn't as engaging a drive as the Seat Arona we have also tried - it is also far more configurable through packs and options - which are all pretty good value. The car also feels fresh and airy where the Seat feels dark and depressing. I was a bit concerned to read that the 3yr warranty is in fact 2yrs manufacturer warranty and 1yr dealership though. Plenty of dealers go under all the time - so what happens then?
 
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