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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Breaking News: Chrysler appointing new Fiat dealers today


Here's the latest: Chrysler has begun today notifying dealers that they have been selected to have the Fiat franchise. We can expect to see a list of these dealers shortly, after all have been properly contacted. I'll post the list here when I receive it. In the meantime, here is the Chrysler press release to tide us over:

Chrysler Group LLC Begins Fiat Dealer Appointment Process in U.S.

October 20, 2010 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - Chrysler Group LLC announced today that it has begun appointing dealers that will represent the Fiat Brand in the United States.

The dealers appointed in this first phase have plans in place and will be ready to take orders for the iconic Fiat 500 subcompact. Chrysler Group continues to work with some dealers on their proposals and will name additional Fiat dealers by the end of the year. In all, Chrysler Group would like to have Fiat dealers in 119 markets in the U.S., mostly in areas chosen for their high concentration of small-car registrations.

Chrysler Group’s Fiat dealer selection team has spent the last few weeks reviewing proposals from existing Chrysler Group dealers who want to add the Fiat franchise to their brand portfolio. The dealers provided detailed facility, marketing, sales and service plans in their proposals.

“We have carefully considered each of these dealer proposals looking for the best locations and the most creative plans,” said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group’s Vice President of Network Development and Fleet Operations. “We are thrilled with their level of interest in securing the Fiat franchise and in the innovative proposals they have submitted. We’re excited to be at the point where we now can start appointing our Fiat dealer network.”

“We are looking for a customer experience that is as unique and personalized as the Fiat 500 itself,” said Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. “Some of the proposals are extremely creative and in many cases not only met but exceeded our expectations. We are looking forward to working with our dealer team for the successful launch of the Fiat Brand in the United States and offering our customers the personal experience that they deserve in our Fiat Studios.”

Chrysler Group dealers presented interim and long-term facility plans that are both imaginative and resourceful. Some dealers will build new state-of-the art facilities, while others plan to convert on-site used car and other buildings into Fiat dealerships. Some dealers will purchase former auto dealerships, while others are snapping up empty retail stores in their markets.

Dealers from outside the Chrysler Group dealer network also have shown great interest in securing the Fiat franchise. The company is now looking at their proposals as well.

Chrysler Group is building the Fiat 500 in its Toluca, Mexico, assembly plant.

Source: Chrysler Media

9 comments:

w!L. said...

I'm so excited! :) Can't wait until they officially tell us where they will be sold!

Anonymous said...

Hi Chris,

I just wanted to say thanks for the outstanding blog. I am waiting with bated breath to find out which of our local dealers will be selling the 500. I will be trading in out 2007 Subaru Forrester for a 500 as soon as I can.

Peter
peter3166@yahoo.com

TK said...

First ones are in Detroit area:
Carl Galeana of Van Dyke Dodge
Bill Golling of Golling Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Bloomfield Hills
David Fischer of the Suburban auto dealership

og said...

GREAT NEWS!!!

Anonymous said...

anxious !

Rusty said...

the anticipation is killing me!

Anonymous said...

When will the entire list come out???

portage chrysler said...

Its interesting...
Many more thanks for this breaking news.
I think in this way Chrysler have decided to increase its business.

Steve Landers said...

What we are being told by Chrysler/Fiat is that the dealers will not have any vehicles to sell until the buildings are complete. Some dealers are remodeling an existing building, we are doing a ground up facility in Little Rock that we hope to have complete in July of 2011.

Steve Landers
Fiat of Little Rock
501-374-4848