Chrysler 2003 Annual Report Download - page 14

13 Report on Operations
Fiat Auto
Products. In 2003 Fiat Auto accelerated its efforts to extend and
strengthen its product range, especially in the second half of the
year. It was able to move up the launch of no less than four new
models: the Fiat Panda city car, the Fiat Idea compact MPV, the
high-end compact Lancia Ypsilon and the Alfa GT sport coupé.
These attractive and innovative new cars were accompanied by
face-liftings of the Fiat Punto, the Alfa 156 and the Alfa 166.
Although they differ in conception and use, the new models
all bring technical and stylistic innovation to their respective
categories. This was enthusiastically welcomed by the public,
which ensured the immediate commercial success of the
vehicles, and by the media. The new cars received in fact
numerous awards: from the prestigious “Car of the Year” award
received by Fiat Panda along with another seven titles, to the
prizes won by Lancia Ypsilon (3) and the new Alfa 156 (2).
One of the keys to the strategy for strengthening the Fiat,
Lancia and Alfa Romeo brands is technological innovation.
In 2003 this focus led to the introduction of the 1.3 liter Multijet
16-valve engine, a small, compact turbodiesel that represents
the second generation of common rail engines and extends
the benefits of this technology to the much broader public
of compact car owners.
Services. In keeping with Fiat Auto’s long-time principle of
providing customers with a complete mobility service rather
than just a means of transport, in 2003 the company
strengthened its range of integrated services, especially in the
infomobility sector. It also boosted its rental operations, where
Fiat Auto works through Savarent and Leasys (the latter jointly
owned with ENEL), which are active in long-term rentals, and
Targarent, which operates in the short-term hire segment.
Moreover, in 2003 Savarent expanded its services to include
a less expensive product, Soft Rent, with the aim of reaching
private customers.
Ferrari and Maserati
In 2003 Ferrari confirmed its position of excellence not only on
the racetrack, where the Formula 1 team won the Drivers’ and
Constructors’ world championships for the fourth and fifth
consecutive years respectively, but also in markets all over the
world. Maserati introduced the Quattroporte, its flagship saloon
with a 400-horsepower V8 engine, which combines the qualities
of a luxury executive automobile with the authentic grand
touring spirit.
CNH Global
Products. In the agricultural equipment segment, the renewal
of the product line led to the introduction of highly innovative
products. These included the mid-horsepower New Holland
TSA tractor, which is equipped with the revolutionary Fast Steer
technology, designed to facilitate turnaround. Other innovations
comprised the TNF-A series, with which New Holland has
redefined the concept of orchard tractors, and the VM and VL
grape harvesters. The latter are a new generation of highly
flexible machines that can handle a wide variety of terrain and
offer extensive operational scope, as they can be used not only
for harvesting but also for all other vineyard operations.
The same principle of operational flexibility underlies the Case
IH AFX combine harvester, which introduces the single rotor
system for both threshing and separation.
These products brought CNH an extraordinary number of
awards in Europe and America in 2003.
With more than 40 new product launches in the construction
equipment segment, CNH demonstrated that it is one of the
most vibrant and aggressive competitors in the sector. Fiat
Kobelco, the brand created in mid-2002 to strengthen CNH’s
position in the world construction equipment market, presented
a range of excavators with renewed cabins, hydraulics and,
above all, engines.
The Case brand extended its product portfolio with the
introduction of the TX series of telescopic handlers and new
excavators and wheel loaders.
Services. In 2003 CNH developed initiatives aimed at
strengthening customer relationships, working to monitor
customer satisfaction and improve its communication tools.
This led to the introduction of new instruments to measure
product satisfaction and delivery quality with dealers in selected
areas of Europe, and to the development of the “Voice of the
Market” program, which performs a similar function and is
scheduled to begin operating this year.
In line with the CNH Identity Project, last year visitors were for
the first time able to experience a unified CNH environment
created within the stands devoted to individual brands at the
Intermat and Agritechnica trade fairs.
Iveco
Products. In the heavy vehicles segment, Iveco introduced the
Stralis Active Day and Active Time, which join the Stralis Active
Space launched in 2002. The new models meet the needs of
customers operating short and medium-distance routes.
The intermediate range was strengthened with the introduction
of the New Eurocargo. The launch began in February and was
completed by the end of 2003. Since 2002 the Eurocargo has
been the European leader in the segment.
Irisbus also introduced a wide variety of new models in 2003,
including the Evadys touring busses and the smaller Midys. In
the intercity bus sector, the company introduced the 10.6 meter
version of the Ares, which is now available in a broad variety
of lengths up to a maximum of 15 meters.
Last year also saw the launch of the Europolis electric bus.
During the year Eurofire introduced three new models of rescue
vehicle: a 37-meter ladder truck, a new articulated ladder truck
Products and Services