Author Archives: Felipe

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Once again, another facelift for Palio family in Brazil

Fiat Strada is Brazil’s best selling pickup. Photo by autoesporte.com.br

Fiat has released information and photos of the new restyling of first generation Palio family. The models to be updated are Siena EL, Palio Weekend and Strada, all of them very popular in Brazil. Although the new generation is available from last year and the new Siena was launched in March/12, Fiat still offers the old generation as it’s a core product and prices are lower. Therefore the new faces start with the Siena EL 1.0 and 1.4 at R$28.150 and R$30.970 (10.800 – 11.900 euro), and is followed by Strada pickup from R$31.490 (12.100 euro), also available in Europe, and Palio Weekend starting at R$41.490 (15.900 euro). All of them have new bumpers (similar to Grand Siena), new grill, and new rims as optionals. Inside the dashboard looks softer and the cluster has a new look (as the Uno). The engines are not changed at all. This facelift is intended to maintain the good sales figures of last months (especially in the case of Strada) and at the same time make useful the government’s discount on low engine cars, IPI. Fiat was again the leader of Brazilian market during May/12 after delivering 45.865 passenger cars, down 13.7%, more than total’s market fall, 9.6%. YTD sales figures indicate Fiat falled the same percentage of total market, 4.8%.

Fiat Siena first generation with the latest restyling. Photo by autoesporte.com.br

Fiat Palio Weekend in Adventure version. Photo by autoesporte.com.br

Palio Adventure Interior. Photo by autoesporte.com.br

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Chrysler, among best scored car brands in USA

Chrysler brand occupied an important place among best scoring brands of 2012 T0tal Car Score’s list. Total Car Score is a website that aims to classify and compare cars with scores given by important car analysts. They rank cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. In their latest report, among premium and volume brands together, Chrysler passed from 18th place last year to 8th place in 2012 among the best qualified car makers. It had the second best growth after Kia, and is just few points after VW. In the report ther were only analyzed those car brands with more than 4 models available all over the States (not Fiat). Chrysler’s result can be an important indicator of how Americans are evaluating their cars, and how good all its products are being received by professional press and media. But the most important, it shows the new trend among Americans, who begin to believe again in the quality and final product of a company  like Chrysler, which was in bankruptcy 3 years ago.

Total Car Score, Top 10 Best Car Brands for 2012. Chrysler is above BMW and had the second best growth after Kia. Source: Total Car Score

 

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Alfa Romeo would anticipate 4C and Giulia

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept at Villa d’Este 2012. Photo by http://autosmotosymasss.blogspot.it

Alfa Romeo could be thinking of present its production version of 4C before the time schedule. According to Autocar Magazine, initial plans of doing so in the Detroit Autoshow of 2014 (January) could be changed as they want to bring new stuff to dealerships who fight to increase sales with only 2 models. The car will be powered by a new 296 HP Turbo with 1.750 cc engine that will have the task to move only 850 kg. Fiat wants this car to be the impact model to re-enter American market but no big volumes, as they expect around 1.500-2.000 units sold per year. New plans could anticipate the presentation to summer 2013, but is not clear where. The plans for the Giulia, D-segment sporty sedan to replace the 159, are on the way and they have said it will be build in both sides of the Atlantic in order to use more Italian factories and don’t depend on currency problems. According to Marchionne, who has postponed this project several times, the Giulia will be an authentic Alfa because of its design and idea of Italian sporty and luxury car. They intend to sell around 50.000 units per year.

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Lancia Ypsilon surprises in troubled Greek market

For the second month in a row, the Lancia Ypsilon got very interesting results in Greece. Although this market is facing difficult times because of the deep Greek economic crisis, and therefore car sales figures are extremely low, Lancia has managed to place its B-Segment hatchback within the top 10 during April and in 14th place during May. It is practically the only market after Italy where demand of Ypsilon places it among the best selling cars. In fact in April 2012 the Lancia sold 92 units, 2.1% of the market, the same quantity of Fiat Puntos, and for the first time, above the results of popular VW Polo. One month later the Ypsilon is not in the top 10 anymore but still enjoys of a healthy 14th place with 97 units delivered, 1.8% of market share, 11 units more than Fiat Punto! YTD figures indicate the Ypsilon occupies place #21 with 344 units sold, much much more than the 130 delivered during the whole year 2011. Certainly the Ypsilon has arrived in the worst moment for Greek sales, but it seems people like the good mix of luxury interior and nice optionals in a compact 5 door package. Greek people are a bit snob when buying cars as for most of them having a Mercedes or BMW is the dream of their lifes no matter the economic conditions. Nevertheless the current crisis has shifted their idea of luxury as this premium brands are loosing market share, while small cars continue to increase their presence. Fiat-Chrysler group has been always popular in Greece thanks to small 500, Panda (the most popular among car rentals in all Greek islands), Punto and now the Ypsilon. Greek car market has dropped 41% in Jan-May/12 to 26.902 units and is expected to be the biggest fall among European markets this year. Fiat-Chrysler brands have fallen 39%, below total market’s thanks to great permormance of the Ypsilon: Fiat -46.5%, Alfa Romeo -46%, Lancia +348%, Jeep -72% and Abarth -48%.

 

Source: Best Selling Cars Blog and Association of Motor Vehicle Importers Representatives

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New versions for Ram, 500, Bravo, Linea and Giulietta

Ram 1500 Laramie Limited. Photo by netcarshow.com

The ending week brings a lot of news related to the coming versions of Ram pickup, Fiat 500 and Bravo, and the first restyling of Fiat Linea. The offer of the bick truck from Ram will add a luxury version called Laramie Limited, featured with heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, to replace the Laramie Longhorn version. It will be Ram’s most expensive pickup and is part of the strategy of the brand to cover a the fast growing segment of luxury trucks. Chrysler has seen an opportunity among those clients that are not cowboys but want a big truck to use in the city.  In fact this kind of pickups are allowing Ram to rise the average price of its products. Last year, 13% of light -duty Ram pickups were sold for at least $40.000 (+9% compared to 2010), and among heavy-duty one, those pickups with prices above $50.000 represented 29% of total sales (+22%). In other words a new subsegment has born and Ram is ready to cover it. For the coming months, though, they should develop an exclusive model (not only an update of current model) in order to address more directly this kind of client. Last year, Ram sold around 315.000 units, 78% of them in the US, up 23% on 2010 figures,  double of growth that had its eternal rivals, Ford F-150 (+11%) and Chevrolet Silverado (+12%).

Fiat 500 Street MY 2013

Meanwhile in Italy Fiat has introduced the 500 Model Year 2013. Available in both body types, 3 door hatchback and cabrio, the car is now offered with 6 new colours and 2 new versions. The MY 2013 introduces the blue “Dipinto di blu”, the purple “Dolce”, gray “Colosseo”, red “Diva”, yellow “Sole” and Beige “Cappuccino”. They will be also available with 2 more interior options: Cioccolato/Avorio (Chocolate/Ivory) and Gray/Black. Lounge version is now possible to have with 14 axes rim of 15″. In terms of accessories, there are 2 more versions: the Street (Black Matt color, 16″ rims, spoiler, new seats, crome gearbox) starting at €13.750 for the 1.2. The other version is called Color Therapy, that according to Fiat, it develops the pop and coloured soul of the 500 through colours that had made this model so famous. MY 2013 does not mean any change in design, as Fiat is waiting for the first real facelift in the coming months in order to enhance in a better way the new rivals.

Fiat Bravo Sporting for Brazilian market

After some weeks of the presentation of Fiat Bravo MY 2013 for Brazilian market, they have showed the Sporting version. From next week Brazilians will be able to buy the Bravo with 17″ rims with new sporty touch outside and inside. It adds a red frame in the grill, a spoiler and a suspension 25mm lower than its ‘common’ brothers. Sky Dome roof is standard. Will be available with both gearbox, manual or Dualogic starting at R$58.140 (€23.000). Is then more expensive than Essence version R$53.140 (€21.000) and cheaper than Absolute (€24.600) and T-Jet versions (€26.200). The engine is 1.8 E-torQ and is only available with 4 different colors: yellow, white, red and green. Fiat , which is Brazil’s best selling carmaker, is trying to recover its market share in C-segment due to the fall of sales of its Bravo and Linea. During the first 5 months of 2012 they have sold 3.478 Bravos and 3.419 Lineas, far away from the leader of the segment, Toyota Corolla with 20.681 units sold so far.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sportiva

Alfa Romeo wants to keep the good results of its C-segment Giulietta. In April and May it was Italy’s best selling car in its segment surpassing VW Golf. After the arrival of entry level version of 1.4 T with 105 HP, now is turn for a more sporty version. The Supersportiva will arrive soon offering an interesting sporty package with 1.4 MultiAir 170 HP , 2.0 JTDM 140 HP or 2.0 JTDM 170 HP. It comes with 18″ rims (the same of QV version) with Brembo brakes, darken stop lights, matt external mirrors; sporty pedals, leather seats with red stitching, among others. A good way to keep shaking the market in a moment when all segment sales are droping. This year is expected to be really hard for Alfa Romeo’s sales figures as they just count on 2 models and Giulietta one is now having problems outside Europe with the arrival of new competitors. In Italy this car should take the comand of C-Segment sales, thanks to a wider range of versions and GPL options, now more appreciated by Italians. YTD sales figures indicate the Giulietta is just 2.951 units behind the Golf, but it seems this gap will reduce as the Giulietta was in May, for second month in a row, the best selling compact in Italy.

Fiat Linea 2013

Finally from Turkey arrives the last news. The Linea, Turkey’s  best selling car, has received its first facelift since it was introduced in 2007. The make up affects the outside and inside design and allows it to look much better and elegant. Now it comes with a rear spoiler and inside there is a new design for the steering wheel and redesigned instrument panel, and a new dashboard. Engines don’t change: 1.4 Fire with 77HP, 1.3 MultiJet 95 HP and 1.6 MultiJet 105 HP. Inside the whole dashboard and panel were changed and took from the Punto Evo but adding better looking materials. Fiat produces the Linea along with local producer, Tofas, and this year it has become country’s best selling cars beating its rivals from Renault, the Thalia and Fluence. Jan-Apr sales figures indicate that 8.710 units of this sedan (C-segment in Turkey) were delivered, up 13% in a whole market that drops 19%. Eventhough the good result, it is practically the unique successful model of the company as the Albea sedan (B-segment) is getting really old and its sales falling dramatically. Turkey is an important market that is expected to grow to interesting levels in the next years.

Fiat Linea interior

Source: Automotive News, FGA, Auto Esporte

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Fiat/Abarth 500 continues to impress British market

Once again, second month in a row, the successful Fiat 500 continues to hit British. In May 2012 it was again among 10 best selling cars in that important market. Last month 2.823 units were delivered to clients making of it the 10th best selling car and number 1 among small cars. The good sales performance is even more impressive if is taken into account that the UK is the land of Mini, the eternal archenemy of the small Italian (though they don’t belong to the same segment). Year to date results indicate the 500 has reached 14.113 units sold, compared to 25.607 units it sold for the whole 2011. The good results of it can be explained by several and continous promotions made by Fiat that include very interesting financial plans, and also by the good reputation the model has in the UK.

Fiat 500 and 500C Financial payment offers for the UK, June 2012. Source: http://www.fiat.co.uk

 

Fiat 500 and 500C financial offers June 2012 with Fiat Advance Payment Plan. Source: http://www.fiat.co.uk

In fact one of the success key factors that allows the good sales figures is the depreciation index of the car. Some days ago CAP, British market leading provider of vehicle valuation data, published the list of best and worst depreciated cars in that country. The study includes only three-year-old cars with more than 48.000 km and Abarth 500 and Fiat 500C occupied very important places. The first one retains an average value (after 3 years/48.000 km of use) of 60% of its initial value, while the cabrio version costs 58.4% of what it used to cost 3 years before. These results allowed them to occupy number 3 and 4 places among the best depreciated cars in Britain, after the Audi Q5 and Skoda Yeti. It is certainly an excellent result that tells about the good image the car continues to have after 5 years of its launch. In the other hand another member of the family, Fiat Bravo, appears in the bottom of the list, keeping just 34.4% of its original value. Something to think about.

CAP’s April 2012 Depreciation Survey in the UK. Source: Auto Express

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Fiat Italy: Mirafiori staff will go home for 8 days

Fiat’s headquarters will close for 8 days, 4 in June and 4 in July, saving the company $1 million euros per day. This means all staff members: Centro Stile, engineering and manufacturing operations, sales and marketing, purchasing and administrative functions. The people working in these fields will go home and get payed 80% of their salary to be funded by Cassa Integrazione, Italian temporary layoff program. The source says that these days will be June 14-15 and 20-21, and 4 more days in July, besides the regular vacations they all have during August. This move intends to reduce costs as car sales continue to drop in Italy and Europe, and consequently profits. Nevertheless overall results are being well supported by America’s operations (Chrysler Group) and Brazilian car market.

Mirafiori Turin Factory and Headquarters for Europe, Middle East and Africa. For years it used to be Europe’s largest car factory. Photo by Michele D’Ottavio/BuenaVista, Copyright

Meanwhile Marchionne is looking for help in European Commission to face the problem of overcapacitiy in production most of European car makers are dealing with. Marchionne, who is also president of ACEA, European auto lobby group, said this week that the EU should create an extraordinary plan for a common framwork for factory closures across countries, as he identifies serious overcapacity problems in Germany (Opel), France (Renault and PSA) and Italy (Fiat). According to IHS Automotive, the excess of production may be about 2 million cars in 2012 while sales fall with an estimated cost of $7.4 billion euros, according to UBS estimations. In the other hand there are VW, Daimler and BMW that oppose to this European intervention as they are using around 90% of the capacity of their factories selling their cars not only in Europe but in China also, while the rest of Europeans car makers are using 60-75% of capacity.

Source: Bloomberg and Automotive News

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Jeep to arrive soon in India

Fiat has announced that is planning to introduce Jeep brand in India in the next months. After deciding to split operations with Tata, and have its own dealerships, it’s time for Jeep to arrive. According to Indian car website, Car Dekho, Jeep SUVs will have exclusive dealerships also and service to offer at the begining the Grand Cherokee, starting at $4.500.000 Rupies (US$82.000). The high price is explained as the car will not be produced locally. Anyway months later is expected the Liberty starting at $2.500.000 rupies (US$45.500). India is one of Fiat-Chrysler group’s target market to reach 6 million units by 2016. Last year the whole market sold 2,4 million cars, from which 11.1% were SUV, around 270.000 units, most of them (124.000) small SUVs followed by C-segment SUVs (103.000). It means SUV segment is India’s third largest one after A and B-segment. Besides, it is expected a continuos and rapid growth on total car sales for the coming year as most population (world’s second largest) does not have a car yet. Fiat Group’s World data base considers Jeep can sell around 10.000 units by the year 2016 based on future growth of the segment and new products.