Chrysler 2007 Annual Report Download - page 69

Report on Operations Fiat Group Automobiles68
carried out at the Ranjangaon plant, where the FPT Powertrain
Technologies Sector will also be operational.
Innovation and Products
2007 was marked by the launch of models that were key to the
expansion of the Fiat Group Automobiles product line and the
bestowal of major international awards upon this company’s
models.
The Fiat brand began 2007 with the presentation of the Bravo
at the end of January. With this model, whose performance
exceeded original sales targets, it reinforced its position in the
C segment, the most important in Europe. “Blue&Me Nav”, a
next generation navigation system developed in collaboration
with Microsoft, made its world premiere with the Bravo. The
Fiat Bravo equipped with the new 120 and 150 HP 1.4 T-Jet
turbo engine went on sale in July. Fiat Bravo was named "The
World’s Most Beautiful Automobile” in the two-volume mid-
size sedan category.
On July 4, the Group launched its icon car, the Fiat 500, which
is also destined to be a cornerstone for the Fiat of the future.
The Fiat 500 has been a sensational success, as testified by the
140,000 orders received from its introduction through the end
of January 2008 and its winning major international awards.
Fiat 500 was elected “Car of the Year 2008”, making Fiat the
only carmaker to win this title twice with an A segment car (the
Panda was the first to win this prize in 2004), and it also won
the “Auto Europa 2008” and “EuroCarBody 2007” awards. The
Fiat 500 was also the first car in the world shorter than 3.6
metres to garner five stars for safety from Euro NCAP.
The Fiat Linea was introduced in May. This three-volume sedan
is produced in Turkey and sold outside Europe and on certain
European markets. Starting from 2008, it will also be launched
in Brazil, China, Russia, and India. In December 2007, the Fiat
Linea was elected “AUTOBEST 2008”.
In November it was the turn of the New Croma, the big Fiat
brand station wagon whose styling has been updated to
become more dynamic and consistent with the new stylistic
traits of the brand.
The Grande Punto line expanded to include a version equipped
with an innovative 120 HP gasoline 1.4 T-Jet engine. Its CO2
emissions are about 10% less than other engines in its
category. In 2007 the Fiat Grande Punto was introduced on the
Latin American market, where it won the important prizes
previously mentioned.
The Panda Aria concept car, the Panda Panda Van, and the
Panda Panda Climbing, with dual gasoline/CNG propulsion
and 4x4 traction (on sale since October), are among the most
innovative cars in terms of environmental friendliness.
In March 2007, the Geneva Motor Show hosted the revival
of Abarth, the historic Scorpion brand. The Grande Punto
Abarth is the first street model to be offered with this brand.
In the early months of 2007, Alfa Romeo began sale of the
diesel version of the Alfa Spider. The Alfa 147 Murphy&Nye
version of the Alfa 147 was introduced, while the sporty and
aggressive looking Alfa 147 Ducati Corse was presented at
the Bologna Motor Show in December.
Between September and November 2007, the trade press
participated in the track tests of the Alfa 8C Competizione:
this sporty and exclusive car with a limited production of 500
units was marketed starting from the end of September.
In mid-June, Lancia rolled out the Ypsilon Sport Momo Design,
featuring the new logo of the brand. This is a new version
of a car that continues to be particularly successful. After its
première at the Venice International Film Festival, the New
Musa went on sale in October. This is the new version of
a model that was the top selling compact minivan in Italy
in 2007.
Fiat Professional, the new brand for the Group’s light
commercial vehicles that was introduced in 2007, received
prestigious recognition with the New Scudo, which was
named “Van of the Year.” In the personal transport segment,
the product line was expanded with the Panorama version of
the Scudo, a highly modular vehicle that debuted in mid-April.
Other personal transport vehicles are the Ducato Minibus
Elegant and the Ducato Metropolis.
The new Fiorino Cargo was presented on October 1. Jointly
developed by Fiat and PSA Peugeot Citroën and manufactured
in collaboration with Tofas, the compact external dimensions,
functional performance, and modern and distinctive style of