Tuesday marked a big day for the automotive industry, as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles introduced their five year plans for Fiat and Chrysler, as well as Alfa, Dodge, Ferrari, Jeep, and Maserati. Each of the seven brands is taking things in a slightly different direction, though they all share a common vision. Here’s what Fiat Chrysler Automobiles told us that we can expect from their seven divisions in the coming years:
Alfa:
The biggest takeaway from Alfa is that they’re looking to distance themselves from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Alfa is overtly looking to return to their sporty Italian roots, and stated that they will have no interference from Fiat Chrysler, and will instead have virtually all operations taking place in Italy. More importantly, Alfa pledged a return to the engineering that made their cars so lovable in the past: perfect weight-distribution, advanced engines, noteworthy power-to-weight ratios, and unquestionably Italian design.
Alfa’s getting their five year plan underway with a new mid-size vehicle (presumably the Giulia) in 2015, and six new models (one mid-size, one full-size, two crossovers and two compacts) in the following few years.
Chrysler:
Chrysler has lofty goals with their five-year plan, as they are openly seeking to increase sales to 800,000 units by 2018. They’re starting it off with an entry-level 100 that will hit showrooms in 2016, with a brand-new full-size crossover in 2017, and mid-size crossover in 2018. 2018 will also feature an all-new 300, which will surely gain attention.
Dodge:
Dodge came out swinging with their five year plan, pledging to become more sporty, while also taking a cheap shot at VW (“No kid ever grew up with a poster of a Passat on his bedroom wall”). As a result, they’re dropping the boring Avenger and Grand Caravan, integrating SRT into the company, facelifting the Viper, and planning an SRT Dart, and SRT variation of the soon to be unveiled Journey replacement. They’re planning to spend the next five years getting more and more sporty.
Ferrari:
Ferrari had the most simplistic five-year plan, at least in terms of what they revealed. That said, it was also the most exciting. Ferrari announced that they’ll release a new model for each of the next five years; each model will run for four years, then get an M variant which will also run for four years.
Fiat:
Not much came out of Fiat’s five-year plan. They announced that the 500X, a small truck, will be coming soon, and that a mysterious “specialty” vehicle will be unveiled in late 2015. Otherwise, it’s more of the same for the successful small car company.
Jeep:
Jeep also has lofty goals, and plans to reach 1.9 million units annually by 2018, while opening 1,300 new dealerships. But the most important thing to come from their five-year plan is the announcement of an all-new Wrangler in 2017, which promises to be lighter than the current model. Jeep also announced that the underwhelming Compass and Patriot models will end after 2016, and will be replaced by what is currently being referred to as a “C SUV.”
Maserati:
Maserati’s five-year plan was relatively simple, albeit good. The GranTurismo Convertible will be seeing the end of its time, while coupe will be completely redesigned for 2018. They’ll also be pumping out a few new models: the Alfieri coupe and convertible, as well as the Levante SUV. As far as philosophy, Maserati announced that over this time frame they’ll be focusing on increasing power, while shifting towards more all-wheel drive vehicles.
Photo Credit: Chrysler
