LOS ANGELES - Chrysler Group today released a list of 130 dealerships that have received letters of intent to get Fiat franchises, reported Automotive News.
Once dealers fulfill the requirements of the letter of intent and provide the facilities they promised in proposals made to Chrysler, they can begin taking orders for the Fiat 500 small car, which is being introduced in North America here at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
Though a few North American spec Fiat 500s will arrive in dealerships in December, none will be delivered to customers until January. A volume market launch is planned for March.
The 500 will be designated a 2012 model, said Ralph Kisiel, Chrysler spokesman.
Chrysler plans to name additional dealers to boost the total Fiat network to about 165. Chrysler chose dealers from 119 markets it identified as having strong growth potential for small car sales over the next five years. All dealers on the initial list hold Chrysler franchises.
More franchises to come
Chrysler is talking to additional dealers, some of which are non-Chrysler Group franchisees.
Chrysler began awarding letters of intent on Oct. 20 but did not release a full list until today.
The dealerships will carry the same naming nomenclature. All will be known as Fiat of (Fill in the city name). The showroom will be called the Fiat Studio, where trained Fiat specialists will help consumers custom order their cars. Accessory sales will also be a big part of the operation.
The letter of intent is the first step to getting the franchise. Dealers must make the investments they promised Chrysler to obtain the franchise, Kisiel said.
The Fiat 500 will be manufactured at Chrysler's plant in Toluca, Mexico. The initial version will be a two-door hatchback, which goes on sale in January as a 2012 model. Chrysler plans a convertible version sometime next year, and an Abarth sporty version in 2012, followed by an electric version.
Fiat dealers may also get the Alfa Romeo franchise, scheduled to return to America in 2012.
AutoNation leads the way
Among the big winners on the list was AutoNation Inc., the nation's largest publicly traded dealer group, which received seven letters of intent. Mike Jackson, AutoNation CEO, has been bullish on the prospects for Fiat.
AutoNation earlier announced it had been awarded the seven letters of intent.
“We are excited about the Fiat product," AutoNation spokesman Marc Cannon said. "The Fiat 500 clearly will resonate with the American consumer. As gas prices continue to creep up, we will be well positioned to benefit.”
Chrysler expects to sell 50,000 Fiats in 2011 in the United States, growing to a peak of about 78,000 in 2013. For comparison, Mini sold 54,077 U.S. units in 2008 before the recession.
The modern version of the 500, which is an Italian icon, went on sale in Europe in 2007. The North American version will receive a number of modifications. Unlike the European version, its 1.4-liter FIRE (Fully Integrated Robotized Engine) will get Fiat's MultiAir technology, which optimizes engine performance in all operating conditions.
Fiat claims it improves performance and fuel economy by roughly 10 percent. The suspension and interior have also been modified for American tastes.
Fiat last sold vehicles in the United States in 1984.
