Since Fiat With Chrysler to FCA group mutated, the Italians are on the up. By 2018 one wants to increase the sales of the altogether 15 Konzernmarken of today 4,6 on 7 million units per year. This is helped by new vehicles for which the Group intends to invest a total of 2014 billion euros in a five-year plan launched in 55. This year, 20 new or revised models are expected to hit the market in Germany alone. In this country, FCA is represented by the brands Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Fiat Professional (Transporter), Jeep and Abarth.
The Italian parent brand naturally has the largest share. After all variants of the evergreen Fiat 500 should have been invented, in 2016 the Turin-based company relied on emotion with the Spider 124 and at the same time with the new edition of the Tipo on ratio. The Spider was developed together with the Mazda MX-5 and was actually supposed to be born as Alfa Romeo. Apparently, however, the shapely two-seater no longer fit below the higher-positioned Alfa C4, especially since the Alfa brand is supposed to move closer to its sister company Maserati anyway. Fiat should be fine. So you have a sports car on offer that can continue the tradition of the old 124 Spider and should score with classic Italian chic and sporty driving values.
Meanwhile, the new Tipo should poach in the budget segment of the compact class. To this end, he relies on the three classic body styles saloon, hatchback and station wagon. Above all, from the hatchback, those in charge also expect success in the German market against their competitors from Korea and France. Alfa Romeo, in the German registration statistics almost under "further ran" booked, should tie with the sporty mid-size sedan Giulia to glorious times. At the IAA last year, Alfa surprised with the positioning of the Giulia against potent competitors of Mercedes AMG or BMW's M-GmbH.
Not insignificantly contribute to the Ferrari Maserati genes in the 510-PS engine. This year, the market launch is now also being carried out with more civilian drives, but certainly targeting the premium segment. In addition, the Milanese have revised the models Mito and Giulietta. While there was nothing to complain about about the shape of the small car and compact class range, it was badly behind, especially when it came to connectivity.
Anyway, it's all about Jeep. The all-wheel drive brand in the Italo-American group continues to grow. 2015 was able to gain 44,3 percent in 14.819 units in Germany and achieved a sales record of more than 1,2 million worldwide. A key component was the Jeep Renegate, which incidentally lends its technology to the Fiat 500X and thus also opens up opportunities for the Italian mother in the all-wheel segment. A new compact SUV from Jeep should ensure this year that the positive trend continues.
An important element in the Group's portfolio is Fiat Professional, the van division. The Italians are proud to cover all sizes and weight classes in the light commercial vehicle segment. In addition, Germany has for years been the only segment leader in the group in the admission hitlists. The Ducato is undisputed base for the vast majority RVs.
To bundle the forces, FCA reorganizes its sales. The successful Jeep brand is included in a premium offer with Alfa Romeo, while Fiat and the van subsidiary Fiat Professional appear together with the sports and tuning brand Abarth. This should be underlined by separate appearances in the trade. Whilst large dealers will offer separate showrooms and entrances, there will also be pure Alfa / Jeep dealers.
Author: Günter Weigel / SP-X