Chrysler 2010 Annual Report Download - page 103

REPORT ON
OPERATIONS
OPERATING
PERFORMANCE:
CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
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began reorganization of the dealer network for Chrysler and Lancia brand products, including integration of
Chrysler’s European distributors into the Fiat organization. Preparatory activities were also initiated for the
integration of importers during 2011 and activities to extend Chrysler Group’s access to the Fiat distribution
network in Latin America also continued.
Finally, in Serbia – where the sector operates through Fiat Automobiles Serbia Doo Kragujevac (held 66.7%
by FGA and 33.3% by the Republic of Serbia) – work started on refitting and renovation of the former Zastava
plant, which will produce the replacement model for the Multipla and Idea. Government incentives to promote
development of a supply network in the area around the plant were also finalized.
INNOVATION AND PRODUCTS
During the year, FGA was very active in renewal of its product portfolio and introducing particularly innovative
technological solutions. With regard to the European market, in view of expected demand trends, new product
launches were rescheduled for the second half of 2011 with the one major exception being Alfa Romeo’s
introduction of the Giulietta.
In 2010, the Fiat brand introduced several major product updates, including the 500 and 500C equipped with
the 85 hp 2-cylinder TwinAir. Developed for FGA by Fiat Powertrain, this engine offers up to a 30% reduction in
CO2 emissions with equivalent performance. Also unveiled was the Fiat 500C by Diesel, a convertible developed
in collaboration between Fiat and the well-known fashion house, as well as the “500 thousandth” show car
created to celebrate the first 500,000 units of the Fiat 500 produced in Tychy (Poland) in just 31 months (from
commercial launch to May 2010).
Other product launches in 2010 included: the Doblò Natural Power equipped with 1.4 16v T-JET CNG/gasoline
engine; the 2011 model year Fiat Qubo, featuring numerous enhancements; and new versions of the Fiat
Bravo equipped with the Euro 5 140 hp 1.4 MultiAir Turbo and Start&Stop as standard. Fiat also expanded the
Fiat Panda offering with the Panda Anniversary, a special edition released in celebration of the model’s 30th
anniversary, and the 2011 model year Panda available with a choice of two Euro 5 engines: the 75 hp 1.3 16v
MultiJet diesel (with DPF as standard), the 69 hp 1.2 8v gasoline, and the Panda with 69 hp 1.2 LPG/gasoline
engine. Finally, at the end of November the new MyLife versions of the Punto were launched: a 77 hp 1.4 liter
and a 69 hp 1.2 liter, both Euro 5 with Start&Stop as standard.
Also of note was the launch of the Novo Uno in Brazil. Four versions of this model were presented in May,
and the vehicle has enjoyed excellent sales volumes in addition to winning a number of awards, including the
coveted “Carro do Ano 2011”.
Fiat also made its return to the North American market in 2010 with the debut of the Fiat 500 at the Los Angeles
Auto Show, where it was enthusiastically received with 500 vehicles sold in just 2 hours.
In March 2010, for the third year running, JATO Dynamics (the world’s leading provider of business
intelligence to the automotive industry) named Fiat as having the lowest CO2 emissions levels among
Europe’s top 10 selling brands with an average 127.8 g/km per vehicle sold in 2009.
The brand was also recognized as the most ecological in Europe again for the first half of 2010, with average
CO2 emissions per vehicle sold coming in at just 123.5 g/km. Added to these were two other significant
achievements for the Group and its models: the Fiat 500, with CO2 emissions of 116.0 g/km, was ranked best
among the top 20 selling cars, and Fiat Group Automobiles retained its position as the leading group.
For Abarth, product developments in 2010 included the release of the Abarth Punto Evo with 165 hp MultiAir
and the Abarth 500C, the first convertible released by the brand since its relaunch. And in competitive racing,
Abarth took first place in the 2010 European Rally Championship.
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