2012 Fiat 500 Pop Hatchback 2-door 1.4l on 2040-cars

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Fiat-Chrysler alliance in jeopardy due to Pentastar's IPO filing?

The four-year relationship between Fiat and Chrysler has thus far been beneficial for both automakers, but it has also proven to be a complicated battle between Sergio Marchionne and the United Auto Workers - the latter controlling the remaining 41.5 percent of Chrysler. With the recent filing for a US IPO, it looks like Marchionne and the UAW appear to be playing a billion-dollar game of chicken, with both sides far apart on how much the union's shares are worth. If it comes down to Chrysler's remaining stake being publicly traded, it could act to drive a wedge between the two companies.
According to Bloomberg, Fiat's chairman John Elkann says "if the IPO will take place, there will be two companies, and that's different than having a single one." Now, we're not great at math, but this sounds like the complete opposite of the full merger that Marchionne has been pushing for since taking the helm at Chrysler. Bloomberg notes that the UAW's shares should be worth around $5.6 billion, but Fiat could end up paying as little as $4.9 billion for Fiat to gain full control of Chrysler. A story by The Detroit News points out that Marchionne's "alleged low-balling" is just the latest hurdle the Auburn Hills-based automaker must overcome as its ownership is being fought over for the fourth time in 15 years.

Fiat Titano revealed as rugged, body-on-frame pickup for global markets

Fiat has never sold a truck in the United States, but its name has appeared on a diverse selection of pickups in global markets. The brand's latest entry into the segment is named like a Nissan, shaped like a Peugeot, and due out on at least two continents in the coming months. Product planners opened a book about Greek mythology when the time came to name the truck. Nissan has already claimed the "Titan" nameplate, so Fiat picked the Italian spelling: Titano. The pickup's ties to Greece and Italy end there. It's a badge-engineered version of the Peugeot Landtrek, which was developed jointly with China-based Chang'an and has been on sale in a handful of countries since 2020. Like the Landtrek, the Titano stretches 212.2 inches long in double-cab configuration, 75.6 inches wide, and 71.6 inches tall. These figures make it about an inch longer, almost exactly as wide, and around three inches lower than the latest version of the Ford Ranger. Buyers in some markets, like Algeria, will also have a 209.8-inch long single-cab version to choose from. The line-up also includes several trim levels ranging from basic variants with black bumpers and steel wheels to more upmarket-looking versions with alloy wheels and a touchscreen. On the Algerian market, power for the Titano comes from a 1.9-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine rated at 147 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Rear-wheel-drive and a six-speed manual transmission come standard, and four-wheel-drive is optional. The truck offers a 2,500-pound payload, though its towing capacity hasn't been published, and it features old-school rear leaf springs in the name of simplicity. Fiat singled out Algeria and Brazil as the Titano's main markets, though the model could later land in other countries. On the Brazilian market, it will join a pair of unibody models called Strada and Toro, respectively. Don't expect to see it in the United States, however.

This sweet Fiat 500 Lego kit could be a reality if it gets enough support

Lego has been on a roll the last couple years with kits for automotive gearheads, and there's no end in sight. The company just released a sweet VW Beetle kit and will soon launch a Caterham kit. That's no reason not to ask for more though, so we encourage you to support this Fiat 500 project. The project is on the Lego Ideas website, where people can upload projects to share with other builders. The website also lets people support their favorite projects, and with enough votes, the kit will officially be considered for production. In fact, that's what happened with the aforementioned Caterham kit. Why support this Fiat project, though? Well, just look at it. The quality is excellent, which is evident by how well the compact and curvy lines of the little Italian are captured in the blocky medium. It also has all the details consistent with Lego's most recent kits such as badge and license plate stickers, a comprehensive interior with pedals and tilting seats, opening doors, and a tiny brick version of the two-cylinder engine. The creator, who interestingly goes by the name saabfan, also added special touches like a removable luggage rack and a sunroof that can be opened up. And wouldn't the Fiat 500 be an excellent complement to Lego's Beetle and Mini Cooper kits? Even if this project receives enough support, it's no guarantee that it will make it to production. Licensing would be a big road block to a retail release, but it's not impossible. So check out the video above to see some of the great details, and head over to the project page to vote for it. Related Video: News Source: saabfan / Lego IdeasImage Credit: Gabrele Zannotti Toys/Games Fiat Hatchback Videos Lego cinquecento lego ideas