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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Abarth 695 biposto in Gumball 3000

Abarth 695 biposto


The Abarth 695 biposto makes its official road debut on June 8th, and what better way to do so than by being selected as the official car of the 2014 Gumball 3000 Rally. The new Abarth 695 biposto is an over the top, full blown street and track car with 2 seats (biposto), roll bar, and a list of performance modifications a mile long. From its Zender body kit with polycarbonate side windows to its competition dog ring gearbox, the Abarth 695 biposto is the most outrageous Fiat 500 Abarth yet.


Abarth 695 biposto interior


The Gumball 3000 is a high profile, non-competitive international rally that covers 3000 miles on public roads. Started in 1999 by British race driver and entrepreneur Maximillion Cooper, the Gumball 3000 has become a favorite of the rich and famous. This year, 120 supercars will participate in the ten day event that crosses two continents and five countries. The Gumball 3000 starts on June 4th in Miami, Florida and ends on June 11th, in Ibiza, Spain.

The Abarth 695 biposto will take to the roads officially on June 8th when the rally arrives in Edinburg, Scotland and will continue on through the rest of the rally route.

The race schedule is as follows:
4th June – Arrival in Miami
5th June – from Miami to Atlanta
6th June – from Atlanta to New York
7th June – from New York to Edinburgh
8th June – from Edinburgh to London
9th June – from London to Paris
10th June – from Paris to Barcelona
11th June – from Barcelona to Ibiza


Friday, May 16, 2014

Fiat 500e Update and Recall

Fiat 500e Lined Up

Fiat has announced the Fiat 500e all electric vehicle will receive a hardware and software update. The first is a voluntary recall to update the Power Inverter Module. The second involves updating the software in multiple control modules for enhanced operation.

Voluntary Recall
During the course of routine warranty data reviews, Chrysler Group engineers discovered an issue with the Power Inverter Module (PIM) in the Fiat 500e that may cause a loss in power while driving. It is possible the PIM may over time begin seeping coolant and this leak could cause a short circuit if the coolant gets into electrical components. This could result in a loss of power. Chrysler is aware of five such incidents happening, however, they are unaware of any related accidents or injuries.

Fiat 500e PIM

The PIM function is to convert the direct current (DC) of the high voltage battery into alternating current (AC) necessary to power the electric motor. The PIM is located in the under-hood area above the eMotor and under the On Board Charging Module (OBCM). Coolant is circulated through the PIM to remove the heat that it produces.

The PIM also acts as a replacement for the alternator used in gasoline engines, charging the 12 volt battery and providing current up to 170 amps to support the vehicle low voltage electrical accessories. These include:
• The Electric A/C Compressor (EAC)
• The Air Electric Heater (AEH)
• Lighting
• Infotainment

Affected Cars
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is replacing PIMs in 2013-14 Fiat 500e vehicles assembled between Sept. 24, 2012 and April 4, 2014. This amounts to approximately 4,141 cars. Owners of the Fiat 500e will be contacted directly and advised when they may schedule service. Associated costs will be borne by the Company.

Customers who are concerned may call the Fiat Customer Assistance Center at 1-888-242-6342.

Fiat 500e with e-Sport Package


Software Updates
Owners of the Fiat 500e will be interested in knowing that Fiat has issued a software update that enhances the operation of many features of their car. A recently issued Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) describes updating the software in multiple modules if required:
  • Vehicle Tracking Module (VTM)
  • Body Control Module (BCM)
  • On-Board Charging Module (OBCM)
  • Power Inverter
  • Module (PIM)
  • Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM)
  • Electric Vehicle Control Unit (EVCU)

The software improvements include:
· Improve Air Conditioning operation.
· Correct blinking charge indicator (goal post).
· Correct 12 volt battery drain when charging the vehicle.
· Improvements to DTC diagnostic’s.
· Enhancements to the central door lock feature.
· Improvements to locate the vehicle, using the smartphone app.
· Increase cabin preconditioning time from 2 to 10 minutes.
· Update information that is displayed by the cluster.
· Enhancements to the high voltage charging system.
· Improve the total Lifetime energy consumed information that is display on a smartphone app.

The Technical Service Bulletin number is 08-048-14 and applies to 2014 Fiat 500E models built on or before March 12, 2014 (MDH 0312XX). *

There is a note saying that the bulletin will be updated to include 2013 vehicles when all of the 2013 software is available. Contact your Fiat Studio for more details and have the TSB number handy.

Read More:

Monday, May 12, 2014

Alfa Romeo North American Dealer List

Alfa Romeo 4C US Version


Below is a list of newly chosen Alfa Romeo dealers for North America. The Alfa Romeo brand will be sold in the United States through an exclusive group of top performing Fiat dealers plus select Maserati dealers in key market areas.


Fiat Studios will be notified they have made the cut and have been offered an Alfa Romeo franchise in three phases. The first began during the second quarter of this year. The second wave of dealers will be notified during the fourth quarter and the final phase will happen sometime during the first quarter of 2015. All Maserati dealers that have been chosen will be contacted during the first phase.


Strict standards have been put into place to become an Alfa Romeo dealer, with heavy emphases on customer satisfaction ratings. The different phases give all dealers an opportunity to meet the requirements going forward.


Listed below are the first round of Fiat Studios selected to become an Alfa Romeo franchise. Note, this is a preliminary list and we will update it when additional information comes in.

UPDATE: Click the link to go to the

Alfa Romeo Dealers in Canada

Ontario

Ottawa
FIAT of Ottawa
(888) 480-3991


Alfa Romeo Dealers in the United States


Arizona

Scottsdale
FIAT of Scottsdale
(855) 532-2491

Tucson
Larry H. Miller FIAT of Tucson
(888) 718-4177

California

Bakersfield
FIAT of Bakersfield
(888) 686-3859

Kearny Mesa
Kearny Mesa FIAT
(888) 813-4352

National City
Mossy FIAT
(888) 621-9929

Riverside
Walter's Fiat
(866) 691-7990

San Francisco
FIAT of San Francisco
(877) 674-9005

Santa Monica
Santa Monica FIAT
(866) 496-1368

Connecticut

Stamford
FIAT of Fairfield County
((888) 493-6945

Florida

Davie
Rick Case FIAT
(866) 981-7351

Orlando
Greenway FIAT
(888) 703-6992

Winter Haven
FIAT of Winter Haven
(888) 752-9098


Illinois

Chicago
FIAT of Chicago
(312) 902-3428

Tinley Park
Bettenhausen FIAT
(888) 844-0132

Indiana

Evansville
Expressway Fiat
(888) 713-1030

Kentucky

Florence
Jake Sweeney FIAT
(859) 371-3428

Maryland

Gaithersburg
Criswell FIAT of Gaithersburg
(888) 418-2268


Michigan

Birmingham
Golling Alfa Romeo FIAT
(888) 408 4582


Grandville
Zeigler FIAT of Grandville
(888) 904-9183

Macomb
FIAT of Lakeside
(888) 566-4760

Minnesota

Bloomington
FIAT of Bloomington
(888) 869-1615

St. Louis Park
Luther FIAT of Minneapolis
(888) 432-4309

New Jersey

Maple Shade
FIAT of Maple Shade
(888) 819-3470

New York

Larchmont
FIAT of Larchmont
(888) 405-2249

Nevada

Las Vegas
Towbin FIAT
(888) 994-5668

North Carolina

Cary
Hendrick FIAT
(888) 551-2726

Ohio

Columbus
Bob Boyd FIAT
(888) 877-6791

Pennsylvania
Wexford
Baierl FIAT
(724) 935-3711


South Carolina

Greer
Benson FIAT
(864) 879-1311


Tennessee

Knoxville
Harper FIAT
(888) 551-2726


Texas

Austin
FIAT of Austin
(877) 463-7905

Houston
Helfman FIAT
(866) 561-7147

Hurst
Holt FIAT of Hurst
(888) 548-1563

McKinney
FIAT of McKinney
(888) 544-3466

Spring
Northside FIAT
(888) 286-8506


Vermont

Williston
Berlin City FIAT
(888) 722-3912


Virginia

Norfolk
Southern FIAT of Norfolk
(866) 922-0611


Washington

Tacoma
FIAT of Tacoma
(253) 830-5700

Spokane
Barton FIAT
(855) 732-4249

West Virginia

Morgantown
Urse FIAT of Morgantown
(888) 606-6905

Read More:

Attention Fiat and Maserati dealers: If you have been selected for an Alfa Romeo franchise contact this site to be included on the list. Alfadealer (at) fiat500usa.com

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Fiat 500X Body Spotted!

Fiat 500X Bare Body

Undisguised images of the new Fiat 500X crossover were tucked inside Fiat's Five Year Business Plan presentation. The images show Fiat 500X bodies on the assembly line at Fiat's Melfi factory waiting to be assembled alongside new Jeep Renegades. The Fiat 500X crossover is much larger than the Fiat 500 (approximately 165 inches compared to 139 inches) and uses the chassis of the 5 door Fiat 500L MPV and Jeep Renegade. The all-wheel-drive capable chassis is a widened version of the current one used in Fiat Punto and Alfa Romeo MiTo models. The new Fiat 500X will be available in two-wheel and all-wheel-drive variants.

New Fiat 500X Body

Production of the Fiat 500X is rumored to begin during the third quarter of this year with its debut at the Paris Auto Show in October. European deliveries will follow during the fourth quarter. For the North America market, look for the 500X to debut at the LA Auto Show in November and sales beginning in the first quarter of 2015.

Fiat 500X Prototype

Factory insiders are excited about the sporty Fiat 500X and a frequent comment is "wait until you see it." Maybe we will get lucky and see a sneak peak on July 4th, so keep an eye peeled!


Fiat Brand Model Timeframe
Slide from the Fiat Five Year Business Plan shows timeline of new model introductions. The Fiat 500x will arrive in European showrooms at the end of this year, with North American sales to begin early next year. The Specialty car listed is rumored to be a Fiat roadster, built in conjunction with Mazda.


Official Fiat 500X Logo
 
Read more:

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Alfa Romeo 2014 Business Plan

Alfa Romeo 2018 Model Lineup


Highlights from Alfa Romeo 2014 business plan:
  • Seven new models over the next five years with an investment of $7 billion dollars
  • Alfa Romeo engines over 500 HP
  • Alfa Romeo separating itself from FCA "Machine"
  • Alfa Romeo sales from 74,000 units in 2013, to 400,000 in 2018
  • Alfa Romeo 4C Quadrifoglio to debut late next year

From the presentation:

ALFA ROMEO DNA IS
  • ADVANCED, INNOVATIVE ENGINES IN CARS THAT HAD NEARLY
  • PERFECT 50-50 WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION COMBINED WITH
  • A SET OF UNIQUE TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS THAT MADE THE CARS STAND OUT, WITH
  • CLASS EXCLUSIVE POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIOS AND WITH
  • DESIGN THAT WAS GROUNDBREAKING AND DISTINCTLY ITALIAN



WE REALIZED THAT…
  • WITH THE EXCEPTION OF STYLE, DNA HAD NOT BEEN RESPECTED
  • OUR GERMAN COMPETITORS HAD BUILT A PHENOMENAL LEAD OVER US OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS
  • WE HAD LITTLE CREDIBILITY IN MAKING “TRADITIONAL” ASSERTIONS OR PROJECTIONS ABOUT ALFA
  • AND …

WE NEEDED A RADICAL SOLUTION THAT WOULD

– RESIST THE CONFORMIST PRESSURE THAT A MASS CAR
PRODUCER WOULD EXERT
– NOT BE BOUND BY TRADITIONAL PROCESSES
– BENCHMARK ITSELF AGAINST THE BEST THAT THE GERMAN
AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY HAD TO OFFER
– BE “PROTECTED” AND FUNDED BY THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP

OUR SOLUTION… SKUNKWORKS
noun informal
plural noun: skunkworks; plural noun; skunk-works; plural noun: skunk works

1. an experimental laboratory or department of a company or institution, typically smaller than and independent of its main research division.

HOW OUR SKUNK WORKS RUNS

• TWO SENIOR HEADS FROM FERRARI TO LEAD DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS
• 200+ ENGINEERS (GROWING TO 600 BY END OF 2015) HAND SELECTED
ACROSS THE FIAT CHRYSLER WORLD AND FROM THE OUTSIDE
• NO INTERFERENCE FROM THE FCA “MACHINE” EXCEPT WHERE
TALENT IS REQUIRED
• INTENSE COHABITATION
• CLEAR OBJECTIVES AND SINGLE PURPOSE
• TIGHT DEADLINES


Alfa Romeo 2018 Engine Lineup


SKUNK WORKS OBJECTIVES …

1. BEST-IN-CLASS REAR-WHEEL- AND ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE
FOR GLOBAL PRODUCTS
2. CAPABLE OF COVERING FROM C TO E SEGMENTS, INCLUDING UVs
3. UNIQUE POWERTRAIN SOLUTIONS FOR BOTH GAS AND DIESEL ENGINES
4. FIRST START-OF-PRODUCTION 2ND HALF 2015
5. 8 PRODUCTS TO BE LAUNCHED BY THE END OF 2018
6. CARS AND ENGINES TO BE INDUSTRIALIZED IN ITALY

Read the full Alfa Romeo 2014 - 2018 Business Plan below:


Fiat 2014 Business Plan

2018 Fiat 500 US Model Lineup

The Fiat brand outlined its business plan for the next five years today. Below are a few notable quotes and the full business plan for your reading.

Olivier Francois, Global Head Fiat Brand...
  • "A brand you pay a little bit more for because it makes you feel special.”
  • " Logic and magic are Fiat's key attributes"
  • Fiat aims for 1.9 million global sales in 2018, up from 1.5 million in 2013.
  • Fiat's goal is for 100,000 North American sales in 2018, double its sales in 2013.

Fiat North American product plans
  • Fiat 500X arrives US Fiat Studios beginning of 2015.
  • Fiat Specialty car arriving end of 2015. Car widely anticipated as
    Roadster built in joint venture with Mazda.
  • Not listed in presentation, but sources say expect substantial enhancements for the Fiat 500 over the next few years.

Below is Fiat's 2014 - 2018 business plan, presented today, May6, 2014.



Below is a question and answer conference held after the presentation of FCA's Five Year Plan with Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA and John Elkann, Chairman of FCA.


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Godzilla Takes on the Fiat 500L

Fiat 500L versus Godzilla

Story update 5/5: Fiat will be running two movie-themed sweepstakes this month! Read about them below the video...

You knew Italian food was the most popular cuisine in the world, but who would have thought even Godzilla would long for some. The latest Fiat commercial features Godzilla craving some Italian snacks but when he gets to the Fiat 500L, he bites off more than he can chew! Watch what happens when Godzilla goes up against the 'unbelievably big' Fiat 500L!

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Fiat Sweepstakes
Fiat will be running two movie-themed promotions this month. The first is a Facebook sweepstake called "FIAT Godzilla Giveaway." To play, just visit the "FIAT Godzilla Giveaway" tab on the Fiat USA Facebook page. Every day during the promotion a winner will be awarded the ultimate "Godzilla" movie experience — 10 movie passes, $150 for concessions and "Godzilla"-themed merchandise. The "FIAT Godzilla Giveaway" begins Friday, May 9.

The second promotion begins at the end of May and will be held on the Fiat USA website. Visit the site and click on the “San Francisco Showdown” icon to help Godzilla find the hidden Fiat brand vehicles and Fiat logos. For each find, users gain one entry into the sweepstakes to win a three-day trip for two to San Francisco.

Sweepstake rules can be viewed on each respective site. Good Luck!


Read more:



Friday, May 2, 2014

Fiat 500 Sales for April 2014

Fiat 500 Abarth


Overall sales for the Fiat brand were up 10 percent in April, making it the best April since the car company came back to the US market in 2011. Year-to date sales for the Fiat 500 and 500L total 15,723, up 16 percent compared to last year. For perspective, year-to-date MINI brand sales total 13,047, so with just two models Fiat has outsold the seven model MINI brand range by 20 percent.

This is even more impressive because overall new car sales for April were down 26 percent and small car sales in particular have been slowing.*

Breaking down the figures, April sales of the Fiat 500 hatchback and carbrio models totaled 3,041 last month, down 8 percent from March and 22 percent from the year before. Still the Fiat 500 continues to outsell popular rivals, though:

  • Fiat 500 April sales = 3,041, year-to-date total = 11,514
  • VW Golf April sales = 1798, year-to-date total = 7,148
  • MINI Cooper April sales = 2,176, year-to-date total = 6,122
  • Hyundai Veloster April sales = 2,759 year-to-date total = 9,445
  • Toyota Yaris April sales = 1,450, year-to-date total = 5,594
According to the company, the Fiat 500 Cabrio Abarth posted the largest percentage sales gain of any Fiat 500 model in April with a 60 percent year-over-year increase.

Fiat 500L Trekking


The Fiat 500L had one of its best sales months ever, selling 1,257 cars. Monthly sales of the roomy Fiat 500L have averaged about 1,055 cars since its introduction last June, so April's figure gives hope that America is finally discovering the Fiat 500L is the roomiest and most versatile car in its class. Fiat's new advertising campaign for the 500L is using the tagline "Unbelievably Big" and there is talk that we may see more of the car's roominess and features being highlighted in upcoming ads.



April Recap
The 2015 Fiat 500 Abarth and Abarth Cabrio debuted at last month’s New York International Auto Show. The Abarth models showed off the new TFT digital instrument panel that will be standard throughout the entire 2015 Fiat 500 range, excluding 500 Pop models. Other changes include enhanced connectivity including Bluetooth streaming audio and more functional center console.

2015 Fiat 500 New Console


Fiat 500 Abarth and 500 Turbo models will offer a new heavy duty Aisin six-speed automatic transmission option. Cars with manual transmissions only account for approximately seven percent of all new car sales in America,* so adding the automatic transmission option should help boost sales of the high performance 500 Abarth and 500 Turbo.



Alfa Romeo 4C Launch Edition US Version


The Alfa Romeo 4C also debuted last month at the New York Auto Show, officially heralding the return of the prestigious marque. The new Alfa Romeo 4C will be primarily be sold by select Fiat dealers throughout the country. Additionally, some Maserati dealers in key market areas will also have access to the franchise. We have been covering Alfa Romeo over the years, make sure you follow the links below to stay up to date with what is going on.










Fiat 500 Sales in the United States - April 2014
Fiat 500Current MonthLast YearVol ChangeCurrent YTD TotalLast Year YTD TotalVol Change
April 2014
500
500L

     3,041
     1,257
    4,298

  3,899
     0
  3,899

    -22%
     new
     10%

     11,514
     4,209
     15,723

         13,511
              0
         13,511

     -15%
     new
     16%
March 2014
500
500L

     3,316
     1,422
    4,738

  3,807
     0
  3,807

    -13%
     new
     24%

     8,473
     2,952
     11,425

         9,612
            0
         9,612

     -12%
     new
     19%
Feb 2014
500
500L

     2,664
     801
    3,465

  3,302
     0
  3,302

    -19%
     new
     5%

     5,157
     1,530
     6,687

         5,805
            0
         5,805

     -11%
     new
     15%
Jan 2014
500
500L

     2,493
     729
    3,222

  2,503
     0
  2,503

    0%
     new
     29%

     2,493
     729
    3,222

         2,503
            0
         2,503

     0%
     new
     29%

Read more:

*Source: Automotive News