Chrysler 2008 Annual Report Download - page 14

Report on Operations 2008 at a Glance 13
Four models premiered at the Geneva Motor
Show: Lancia Delta, Alfa 8C Spider (limited
edition), 500 Abarth (135 hp), and the Fiorino people transport.
At the Samoter exhibition in Verona, Iveco
presents the Massif, its debut in the twin-
cab, light off-road segment. Iveco Astra premieres the RD50
rigid dump truck with 50 ton payload capacity.
Launch of the 1221E wheel loader for the North
American, European and RoW markets.
April
Fiat Group Automobiles (FGA) and Serbia’s Ministry of
Economy and Regional Development sign Memorandum
of Understanding for acquisition of the Zastava plant in
Kragujevac (140km south-east of Belgrade) by FGA.
Standard & Poor’s upgrades Fiat to investment grade,
raising the long-term rating from “BB+” to “BBB-“ and
short-term rating from “B” to “A3”, with stable outlook.
The New Holland Construction plant in Lecce, Italy
celebrates production of its 100,000th machine: a 23-ton W270B
wheel loader.
May
Moody’s raises Fiat’s long-term debt rating to investment
grade from “Ba1” to “Baa3“ and short-term rating from
“Not Prime” to “Prime-3”, with stable outlook.
Launch of the new Eurocargo, the mid-sized
representative of the product range, with fully redesigned
cabin and upgraded transmission system, and powered by the
successful Tector range of engines. For the second year
running, Daily is awarded “Best Light Truck 2008” in the UK
as part of the
Van Fleet World Honours.
June
Fiat Group and OJSC-Sollers (formerly Severstal-Auto)
sign two master joint venture agreements: one for the
manufacture and distribution of Fiat passenger vehicles and
the other for production of FPT Powertrain Technologies F1A
diesel engines.
January
Magneti Marelli and Sumi Motherson Group sign
agreement to establish a joint venture in India for
production of lighting and engine control systems.
Memorandum of Understanding signed between
FPT, the Region of Piedmont, the Province of Biella
and the City of Verrone (Province of Biella) to expand and
upgrade Verrone plant prior to production of new transmission
(C635) for medium-sized passenger vehicles.
Upgrade of product range for both brands with 2008
versions of the Sedici, Ulysse, Idea, Ypsilon and Phedra.
Launch of the telehandler line in North America for
“load & carry” and “material handling” applications such as
landscaping, specialty trades and commercial and residential
construction.
February
Magneti Marelli, through subsidiary Magneti Marelli
Sistemi di Scarico SpA, signs two joint venture
agreements with the Krishna group for production of
automotive exhaust systems in India.
CX210B crawler excavator earns the 18th Energy
Conservation Award from the Natural Resources and Energy
Agency of the Japanese Ministry of Economy and Trade, in
addition to the “Top 50” new products award from the China
Construction and Machinery Association.
US and European launch of four Tier III B-Series
backhoe loader models offering new boom, tilting hood and
reduced maintenance time and costs.
March
FPT signs agreement with Chrysler LLC to acquire 100%
of the
Tritec Motors plant located near Curitiba (Paraná, Brazil).
Production resumes at the G.B. Vico plant after significant
technology upgrades, intensive training for 6,000
employees and investment of €110 million.
Key events in 2008