NEW YORK—Chrysler Group LLC, the third largest U.S. automaker, has begun to notify U.S. dealers it identified to sell the Fiat brand in the United States.
The company, which is run by Fiat S.p.A. CEO Sergio Marchionne, says that it wants around 200 dealerships in 119 metro markets to sell Fiat in the beginning. The move marks a return to the U.S. market by Italy’s Fiat, which withdrew from U.S. shores in 1995.
Chrysler’s goal is for the dealerships to begin taking orders in December for the Fiat 500 subcompact model.
The company has spent the past few weeks looking at proposals from existing Chrysler Group dealers who want to add the Fiat franchise. The dealers provided detailed facility, marketing, sales and service plans in their proposals.
“We have carefully considered each of these dealer proposals looking for the best locations and the most creative plans,” said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group’s Vice President of Network Development and Fleet Operations, in a statement.
“We are looking forward to working with our dealer team for the successful launch of the Fiat Brand in the United States and offering our customers the personal experience that they deserve in our Fiat Studios,” said Laura Soave, head of Fiat in North America, in a Chrysler statement.
In August, 400 dealers were invited to Detroit to view plans Fiat has for the U.S. market and look at facilities and training documents. Fiat dealers will be located in 37 states and Puerto Rico.
Chrysler has indicated that Fiat eventually aims to bring its Alfa Romeo luxury brand back to the U.S. market.
The company, which is run by Fiat S.p.A. CEO Sergio Marchionne, says that it wants around 200 dealerships in 119 metro markets to sell Fiat in the beginning. The move marks a return to the U.S. market by Italy’s Fiat, which withdrew from U.S. shores in 1995.
Chrysler’s goal is for the dealerships to begin taking orders in December for the Fiat 500 subcompact model.
The company has spent the past few weeks looking at proposals from existing Chrysler Group dealers who want to add the Fiat franchise. The dealers provided detailed facility, marketing, sales and service plans in their proposals.
“We have carefully considered each of these dealer proposals looking for the best locations and the most creative plans,” said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group’s Vice President of Network Development and Fleet Operations, in a statement.
“We are looking forward to working with our dealer team for the successful launch of the Fiat Brand in the United States and offering our customers the personal experience that they deserve in our Fiat Studios,” said Laura Soave, head of Fiat in North America, in a Chrysler statement.
In August, 400 dealers were invited to Detroit to view plans Fiat has for the U.S. market and look at facilities and training documents. Fiat dealers will be located in 37 states and Puerto Rico.
Chrysler has indicated that Fiat eventually aims to bring its Alfa Romeo luxury brand back to the U.S. market.
