2014: Feliz año nuevo, Happy new year, Buon anno!

Fiat Chrysler 2013With almost 370.000 visits in 2013 (up a whopping 340%), and a wonderful year in all terms, I would like to wish you all the best for the upcoming year. Without you this site wouldn’t be possible. Thanks a lot for following me. Here there’s a quick outlook at 2013 main facts, and my predictions for 2014.

2013

  • Even if Fiat doesn’t control the totality of Chrysler shares and European car market keeps struggling, Fiat-Chrysler group can say it had a good year. The group launched several products all over the world and keeps working to join the 2 companies and make use of their strengths.
  • The marriage between Fiat and Chrysler, which was supposed to take place this year, had to be postponed due to problems with VEBA. This had a direct impact on European product plan, as the money from Chrysler is a priority to start building new cars in Italy.
  • Chrysler results shined thanks to a very healthy American car market. It wasn’t the case for Fiat Group in Europe, where the 500 and Panda’s success couldn’t offset the lack of demand of other models. The 500L helped a lot.
  • Things in Brazil were as expected: not as good as previous years. The reason: competition, a tired car market, and the lack of new products. Argentina was the exception with more than 100.000 units sold.
  • China had a real start, far away from optimistic forecasts that didn’t consider how difficult it is to make business in China (it is not only a matter of product but also of dealer network). India and Russia had to wait again.
  • Alfa Romeo had a tiny relief with the introduction of the fantastic 4C, which is a good start for the coming years. Maserati was born again with a tremendous success that should be an example for other brands of the group.
  • During the year the group presented the new Alfa Romeo 4C, the Fiat 500L Living, the new Fiat Ottimo, the Jeep Cherokee, and the Maserati Ghibli and Ferrari LaFerrari.

2014

  • One more tought year for the group. Chrysler will continue to have good results in USA (with lower growth rates), but Fiat in Europe will continue to suffer (waiting for better times), while Brazilian situation will get worse. Good news will come from China, where the Viaggio-Ottimo will do better, and the arrival of Jeep will be the hit of the year.
  • Fiat-Chrysler alliance should be able to be completed in the first half of the year, and this will have a very positive impact on Fiat Group’s plans in Europe.
  • The group will present the new Fiat 500X and Jeep B-SUV. Jeep may show the first renders/concept of the new Compass/Patriot. Chrysler will soon show the all-new 200, that may be presented as a concept in Europe. Alfa Romeo is expected to expand the range of the 4C. Fiat Brazil should launch an updated Uno and some all-new SUVs. Maserati should show the final version of the Levante (even if it is not expected to be available in 2014), while Ferrari could surprise us with the new California.

24 thoughts on “2014: Feliz año nuevo, Happy new year, Buon anno!

  1. Felipe, I would also like to see you prediction of what the new product plan (due to be presented in the spring) will look like. Can you do that for us? 🙂

    Congratulations on a great year for the blog, and looking forward to 2014!

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      • Yesterday in Detroit, Marchionne said “a second Alfa model will come to the United States in 2015 but he did not say which one.” Maybe the Mazda-based Duetto? Is Giulia now 2016 or later, maybe because of the rumoured change to a RWD platform?

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  2. ”Chrysler will soon show the all-new 200, that may be presented as a concept in Europe”

    Under Lancia brand ?

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    • In this day and age, it would be a huge mistake to name a car “Beta”. By now, most people (even those who don’t have the slightest interested in technology) are familiar with the term “beta” from the computer world as signifying an unfinished product with significant bugs unresolved. No marketer worth his salt would give a car a name that has these associations…

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  3. You forgot to mention the Australia where both Jeep and Fiat are on a roll achieving 3% + market share. Given the momentum in growth and also the all new Jeep cherokee yet to be launched, the 2014 could see the group increasing market share to around 5%

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  4. Hello Juan felip, please i want you to talk about what Sergio marchionne says about Lancia on his interview with Larepublika. is Lancia for sure gonna sold just in Italy, or this is just Talking ??

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    • Also reported elsewhere … it seemed like Lancia would basically only sell Ypsilon derivatives, and only in Italy. Does that mean that Chryslers will be offered in Europe, and an end to the short-lived Chrysler-Lancia brand twinning?

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    • Based on that interview, it seems that Lancia will be only sold in Italy. This doesn’t mean that Chrysler brand will come back to Europe. Alfa Romeo should occupy its position in D and E segments.

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  5. Četrtek, 02 Januar 2014 21:33
    FIAT bo postal 100% lastnik Chrysler Group

    Let me translate this Juan. It was posted in Thursday, 2nd of January 2014 at 21:33 in my country, that FIAT will become a 100% owner if Chrysler group. FIAT and VEBA had finally made an agreement and the deal should be done 20th of January 2014. Do you know anything about this, becouse it made me very happy to hear these news, and I hope it is not a lie 😀

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  6. Četrtek, 02 Januar 2014 21:33
    FIAT bo postal 100% lastnik Chrysler Group

    Let me translate this Juan. It was posted in Thursday, 2nd of January 2014 at 21:33 in my country, that FIAT will become a 100% owner if Chrysler group. FIAT and VEBA had finally made an agreement and the deal should be done 20th of January 2014. Do you know anything about this, becouse it made me very happy to hear these news, and I hope it is not a lie 😀

    Like

  7. Bring all new fiats/ alfas to uk all the best are in brazil whyyyyy do it over here please lots of us dont like boring ones here now not much left slow to make more alfa only 2 cars and fiat only 3 as punto is ugly now badge is sooo ugly now on top and bravo gone 500ALL boring ugly old cromas were best ;))). And the panda dose not even have usb basic in others boring.

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