Chrysler 2004 Annual Report Download - page 16

FIAT AUTO
PRODUCTS
Seeing product innovation as one of the keys to sharpening its
competitive edge, Fiat Auto put five new cars on the market in
2004. Well received by the public, these new models included
the Lancia Musa compact MPV, the New Fiat Multipla – restyled,
and boasting an even more lavish array of standard and
available features – the Panda 4x4 and two Alfa Romeo models:
the new 147 and the Crosswagon Q4, which marks the brand’s
return to all-wheel drive.
Attention was also devoted to improving existing models,
extending the product lineup with new versions: the Lancia
Ypsilon with the DFN robotized automatic transmission, the Fiat
Idea with the Dualogic transmission, the Fiat Punto bConnect
with standard satellite navigation system, and the Fiat Stilo
equipped with a 100 horsepower JTD engine.
Fiat’s range of light commercial vehicles was also reinforced
during the year with the Ducato Model Year and Doblò Cargo
versions. The real star of the season, though, was the New Scudo,
with its even more attractive styling and technological features
that brought further improvements in ride comfort and safety.
Solid preparations for continuing to renew the Fiat Auto product
lineup were also made in 2004, when an agreement was signed
which will enable Fiat to enter the SUV market with a vehicle
produced at Suzuki’s plant in Hungary. Through an agreement
with AdamOpel AG, moreover, the Opel Epsilon architecture
will be used for the New Fiat Croma. The latter, together with
the New Fiat Punto, the Alfa Romeo 159 and the Alfa Brera, is
one of the new models with which Fiat Auto plans to take the
market by storm in 2005.
SERVICES
Through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, Fiat Auto continued
to provide financing services to dealers and suppliers in 2004.
In vehicle rentals, the Sector’s subsidiaries and associated
companies followed through with their efforts to upgrade the
sales and service network, focusing in particular on improving
the profitability of new contracts.
Leasys, jointly owned by Fiat Auto and Enel, reinforced its
leading position on the Italian long-term rental market by
setting up a new business unit dealing in specially equipped
light commercial vehicles.
Savarent acquired 14,000 new contracts during the year,
confirming its important role as a captive company operating
through the Fiat Auto dealer network.
In short-term vehicle rentals, 2004 saw important additions to
the distribution network, which now has 72 outlets, including 11
in Italy’s major airports.
FERRARI –MASERATI
Unbeaten on the racetrack, where the Formula 1 team won the
Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships for the fifth
and sixth consecutive years respectively, Ferrari also made a
brilliant showing on the market. Sales rose sharply, spurred by
the success of the 612 Scaglietti, which debuted at the Detroit
Motor Show early in 2004. A further two Prancing Horse models
also made their appearance in 2004: the F430, which features
two F1-derived technological innovations (electronically
controlled differential, and steering wheel mounted controls and
paddle shifters) and the Superamerica, a 12-cylinder convertible
that has already made a name for itself as the world’s fastest
open car.
Maserati, whose Quattroporte became the brand’s best-selling
model in 2004 after only one year on the market, also extended
its product lineup. Thus, the Trident range now includes the
Gran Sport, an aggressive coupe whose racetrack-bred styling
is designed to appeal to younger buyers, the Spyder 90th
Anniversary special series, and the MC12, a road-going version
of the car that bore Maserati’s colors in the FIA GT
Championship competitions.
CNH GLOBAL
PRODUCTS
Over the last four years, CNH has made an all-out effort
to modernize its products, renewing 97% of its agricultural
equipment product offering and 85% of its construction
equipment. This work affected an enormous number of models
and versions: 140 in the area of agricultural equipment alone.
These new additions include the TL-A Series utility tractors,
easy-to-use multifunction machines with a particularly quiet and
comfortable cab and a powerful new 4.5-liter engine. Marketed
under the New Holland brand name, they are designed to meet
the needs of the European market, as are the new TVT Series
tractors.
For the North American market, New Holland introduced new
hay and forage equipment, the giants of the BA series, that offer
even cutting, uniform crop flow and outstandingly rugged
construction. Also new are the “Speedrower™” self-propelled
windrowers. For the South American market, the brand
presented the CS660 combine featuring a 9,000-liter grain tank
and the TM 180 tractor with powershift transmission.
Case IH also unveiled new farm machinery, including tractors
such as the JXU Maxxima for Europe and the compact Farmall
units for the North American market, as well as the AFX8010
combine. The latter is equipped with a 12,000-liter grain tank
and outperforms anything else the industry can offer. In the
United States, Case IH introduced the new AFS AccuGuide
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