Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne recently announced the revision of company’s product plans. The revision plan includes Fiat-Chrysler group’s seven brands in North America including Chrysler, Jeep, RAM, Dodge, SRT, Fiat and Alfa Romeo. According to the new schedule, the plan for launching four small cars this year by Chrysler and Dodge, two for each brand, has been dropped. Meanwhile, Fiat will launch four new models and Alfa Romeo will launch two for the North American market, due in 2015.
If the group goes according to the revised plan, there will be 46 new/refreshed vehicles in the company’s North American line-up within the next four years. All the seven brands are ready to roll out new and refreshed models in the near future including Jeep, which is all set to launch the revised Grand Cherokee and a new D-segment SUV replacing Cherokee/Liberty. RAM will revise 2500-3500 pick-up trucks and roll out the new ProMaster commercial van.
The upcoming India bound Jeep B-segment SUV will be based on the Dodge Dart, which use Fiat’s Compact Wide Platform. It will borrow styling from the 2013 Grand Cherokee and will be produced in Ohio and China from next year. This vehicle will rival the Honda CR-V and Mitsubishi Outlander in India and will sit below the Wrangler, thereby becoming the entry-level Jeep offering in the country. It is also the first Fiat-Chrysler vehicle, which is co-developed post the alliance between the automakers. A range of engines will power this B-segment SUV including petrol and diesel engines, mated to a new 9-speed automatic transmission.
SRT will be introducing a revised Grand Cherokee, Fiat will come up with the 500L and Alfa Romeo is expected to unveil the 4C coupe. Along with the announcement of the revised schedule, Marchionne also unveiled the Chrysler Group’s 2012 financial results claiming a net income of $1.7 billion (Rs. 9041 crores) compared to 2011’s $183 million (Rs. 974 crores). The Fiat-Chrysler group is betting big for the North American car market with its revised schedule.
