Chrysler to build Fiat 500 in Mexico

[Canuck_Buck]

NEW YORK – Chrysler Group LLC is planning to build the Fiat 500 small car at a plant in Mexico, according to a report published Monday.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090817/...Vwb3J0Y2hyeXNs

The automaker could also build an engine for the 500 at a plant in Trenton, Mich., and is weighing building another compact car similar to the 500 in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited anonymous sources familiar with the matter.

Chrysler spokesman Gualberto Ranieri declined to comment Monday.

Italy's Fiat Group SpA took a 20 percent stake in Chrysler earlier this year as part of the Auburn Hills, Mich.-based automaker's exit from bankruptcy protection. The company has also received billions in loans from the federal government, which owns an 8 percent stake in the company.

Fiat, as part of its purchase, had announced plans to bring the hugely popular 500 to the U.S., along with the Alfa Romeo brand and Fiat-designed compact and midsize cars. The Italian automaker also plans to bring engines, transmissions and other technologies to Chrysler.

Chrysler operates an assembly plant in Toluca, Mexico, that builds the PT Cruiser sedan and Dodge Journey crossover and employs more than 2,100 workers organized under a Mexican union. The company also has a truck assembly plant in Saltillo, Mexico.

How much money did Chrysler get from the feds again ? grrrrrr.

[sachiko]

Buy American? Okay, you mean like Toyota, Nissan, Kia, Hyundae. Those are built here as I understand it.

[The Rev]

It's backfired on Obamanation. He loaded up the car companies with our cash to funnel it to the Unions (which are in his back pocket), but the car companies are smart enough to see it. I love it!

[Champlain Islander]

This is what they are banking on? Looks like a loser to me and nothing I would even take for free. I don't see this as becomming anything other than another market flop for Chrysler. Fiat didn't make it before when they had cars that looked boxy like early Honda or Toyota which modernized and took the US market by storm. This thing looks like something my grand kids pedal around their driveway.

[emptyquiver2]

Oh yeah Iam going right out to buy one of those. Right.

[kevin1]

Has anyone ever seen a Fiat dealership in this country? Has anyone ever seen a Fiat in this country? I've seen one, and it had been brought over from Europe, the sticker from the country it had been registered in was still on the back. Fiat has had untold chances to bring their cars over here, and yet they haven't. Why? Maybe they're crapmobiles that would only sell over there, and they know it. I've noticed that there aren't any more Yugos for sale here.

[The Rev]

The market will dictate if they are going to make it or not. Unless the government mandates we all drive a roller skate. I wouldn't put it past this administration.

[Champlain Islander]

There were some in the "old days" and were kind of pricey and boxy and didn't run well. They did have a pretty neat sports car I think it was a spyder or something like that but most people at the time bought the British Leland type products like Triumph or MG.

[sachiko]

I can't wait until we get the opportunity to NOT buy a Fiat.