Chrysler’s lineup, both in North America and Europe, is in for a major shakeup over the next couple of years now that the expanding Fiat Group and its demanding CEO Sergio Marchionne are pulling all the strings. We’ve already seen hints of some of the plans with the unveiling of the Chrysler-badged Lancia Delta hatchback at last month’s 2010 Detroit Auto Show and Marchionne pretty much gave it all away when he revealed that the Chrysler and Lancia divisions could be merged within the year.
Now, as the 2010 Geneva Motor Show approaches, Chrysler and Lancia have announced they will hold a joint press conference where they are expected to reveal their future product plans.
While we’ll have to wait until next month’s show for all the official details, reports coming out of Europe claim Fiat has already shown a plan to Italian government representatives and worker union officials that reveals four Chrysler models will be imported from North America and rebadged as Lancias for sale in Italy in 2011. In other European markets the cars will remain as Chryslers.
The models are to include a redesigned Sebring Sedan and Convertible, a facelifted Town & Country minivan and the next-generation 300 sedan. In return, the Lancia Delta hatchback will be sold in North American markets as a Chrysler.
The move makes good sense as Marchionne pointed out in a previous interview.
“In Europe, Lancia is an undersized, underdeveloped brand, with nothing bigger than the Delta. Chrysler, which has a true global reach, has nothing smaller. Put them together and you have a full lineup,” he explained.
Whatever Chrysler and Fiat intend to do, we'll keep you updated with the latest.
[Automotive News, sub req’d]
