DETROIT — Neither Fiat nor Chrysler is saying exactly what the unnamed concept is in a corner of Chrysler's display at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The front clip looks inspired by the Chrysler brand, and there's a "Chrysler" name in the front license-plate frame. But the donor car is clearly a Lancia Delta.
There has been much speculation in the media about a possible sharing of vehicles between the Chrysler and Lancia brands, especially in Europe, where both are weak.
But the Detroit concept — if that's what it is — appears to have been created for and aimed specifically at the U.S. market, possibly as a stopgap until some of the newer Fiat-derived Chrysler products are ready for market in 2012.
The Bloomberg news service reports that Fiat intends to put the vehicle on sale in the U.S. within the year.
Inside Line says: Why do we get the feeling that Sergio Marchionne is still throwing lots of spaghetti against the wall to see what sticks? In the meantime, the shotgun marriage of two weak brands — Lancia and Chrysler — has resulted initially in this ill-conceived offspring. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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ottomagnum says:
02:57 AM, 07/29/2010
Americans are just that americans, creatures of habit..this may be a nice package but Chrysler is having an identity crisis. What ever Fiat does it needs to understand it bought an american car company b/c they want want americans money so they need to start dreaming in american english. Those head lights dont look like a Chysler and they need more than a grile to attract Chrysler fans. I hope the real chrysler returns minus the bad reliablity.
jscion says:
02:29 PM, 04/10/2010
The Delta is a really nice looking compact car. Something that Chrysler could sell??? Not too sure about that!!! Nonetheless, it would be a worth a try.
juan_mx says:
06:58 AM, 02/15/2010
Marchionne is making a lot of noise with this car.
For me is just the replacement of the PT Cruiser.
It has the right size (about the same as a Mazda 3 hatchback).
It is built in a modern platform (Fiat's platform for european C segment)
And the people at Chrysler can pick the right equipment and cosmetic changes to match the american taste.
It is a sure bet considering the competition:
Mazda 3 HB,
Toyota Matrix,
VW Golf,
Mitsubishi Lancer HB,
Focus HB (coming 2011),
and even the expensive Audi A3.
lkusa says:
07:42 PM, 02/05/2010
This is an attractive new Pacifica, is it not?
atenza94546 says:
11:17 AM, 01/13/2010
I don't think is Fiat design problem.
I think the name Chrysler name plate and the front grille for its Crisis blood type.
mklrivowner says:
08:13 AM, 01/13/2010
I, for one, like the body styling. It's nothing that would make me run out and buy one, but given the right optioning, and some rethinking, it could do very well as a socialite city crawler.
Chrysler-Fiat's best bet with this? Rebadge it as a Dodge, kill the Caliber, and use this as a replacement until they find something more suitted to the Dodge brand. This could also serve as a launch point for some Fiat tech into the NA market. Fiat diesel and Multi-air tech seems to fit this style of car very well.
scottyscooter says:
06:26 AM, 01/13/2010
You guys are all too pessimistic; I think that it might not do too badly in the US market. The ride height appears to be a bit higher than standard. The car has somewhat of a chunky style like they wanted to make it appear a bit bigger than it is and give it some presence. I'm surprised that this came from Europe because it looks like something that would be designed with Americans in mind.
I doubt that even Chrysler/Fiat is expecting this to be a huge success but it should still generate some profitable sales. Its not my personal style, but Americans in general seem to like this kind of stuff.
nomercy346 says:
11:19 PM, 01/12/2010
"If people in this country knew anything about life outside of this country people could actually start to appreciate a car of great quality instead of looking at just a badge."
and that car is supposed to be a Lancia? lol
They can't even get rid of these in Europe where in theory there should be enough buyers for those kind of cars. IMO Fiat doesn't have a clue about the US market and what to do with Chrysler.
m89 says:
11:15 PM, 01/12/2010
I'd take this over a PT Snoozer and Caliber anyday. If they can sell it for around the same price as the PT then I say all the better because Chrysler has nothing more to lose at this point.
putachino says:
05:10 PM, 01/12/2010
Has anybody ever heard of Lancia. one of the worlds best automobile brands in motorsports in the last century.
Its not even ugly it is a very pretty trendy car much better looking than any lego styled 300c lunch box town & country and hot wheels want to be dodge challenger, were the engine is the only good thing for about some 5 years and after that its sold for scrap like any other cheap plastic american car.
If people in this country knew anything about life outside of this country people could actually start to appreciate a car of great quality instead of looking at just a badge.