2016 Fiat 500 Pop on 2040-cars

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2022 Fiat 500X gets Yacht Club Capri special edition

Fifteen years ago, Fiat released a product roadmap identifying 10 new models to appear between 2007 and 2010 that would join seven extant models across Europe and the U.S. Today, Fiat's home market of Italy only sells five models, three of them versions of the 500, and the U.S. has just one, the 500X. As for that model, it sold 1,443 units here in 2020; based on the 980 sales through the end of September this year, Fiat won't even reach that abysmal mark. Yet the show must go on, so Fiat's got two touches of flair in store for the 2022 500X. Starting small, there will be an "Al-Fresco" retractable fabric roof available for all trims. To ensure the sprezzatura a 500X driver demands, the top can be had in four colors, three of them being black, gray, or red.  The last color, blue, is reserved for the bigger news: A new Yacht Club Capri trim, a special edition model that is also blue. The model is named for the island of Capri, not far from Naples, Italy, and the numerous yachts that stop in there. Based on the penultimate Sport trim, it comes awash in Venenzia blue paint and sits on 18-inch wheels with Venezia blue accents outside, and gets Yacht Club Capri badging. Inside, Ivory leather seats with blue piping face an instrument panel with a woodgrain insert and shift lever given a satin finish. In other markets this same model is known as the Yachting Collector's Edition and is also available on the two-door all-electric 500, the build allotment limited to 500 numbered units. Fiat didn't mention limited production for the U.S. Every 500X is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 pound-feet of torque sending power to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic. Fiat hasn't officially released pricing, but based on information found on auto pricing sites, it appears the automaker could have a $680 price increase in mind. Fiat says the current four trims will carry over, Pop, Trekking, Sport, and Trekking Plus. According to the info we found, only three are priced so far. Tentative pricing for 2022, including the whopping $1,495 destination charge, is: Pop: $28,120 Trekking: $29,255 Sport: $30,110 Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Federal judge orders Barra and Manley to try to resolve GM racketeering lawsuit

DETROIT — A federal judge in Detroit on Tuesday ordered the chief executives of automakers General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to meet by July 1 to try to resolve GM's racketeering lawsuit. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Borman called on GM CEO Mary Barra and FCA CEO Mike Manley to meet in person to try to resolve a case that could drag on for years. "What a waste of time and resources now and for the years to come in this mega-litigation if these automotive leaders and their large teams of lawyers are required to focus significant time-consuming efforts to pursue this nuclear-option lawsuit if it goes forward," Borman said at the end of a hearing during which FCA asked the judge to dismiss GM's lawsuit. Borman said instead, the companies need to focus on building cars and keeping people employed at a time when the coronavirus has hurt the U.S. economy and the country is also dealing with issues of racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, a Black man whose death in police custody in Minneapolis triggered worldwide protests. GM filed the racketeering lawsuit against FCA last November, alleging its rival bribed United Auto Workers (UAW) union officials over many years to corrupt the bargaining process and gain advantages, costing GM billions of dollars. GM is seeking "substantial damages" that one analyst said could total at least $6 billion. Barra and Manley should meet, taking into account social distancing to keep them safe, to "explore and indeed reach a sensible resolution," Borman said in the hearing, which was broadcast online. It is common for judges to order parties to try to resolve disputes out of court. But it is unusual that the chief executives of two big companies be instructed to meet face-to-face, not just to settle their differences but also to serve a greater good. A GM spokesman said the No. 1 U.S. automaker has a strong case and "we look forward to constructive dialogue with FCA consistent with the courtÂ’s order.” FCA had no immediate comment. Borman said he wanted to hear from Barra and Manley personally at noon on July 1 to provide him with results from their discussion. FCA shares were up 6.1% at $10.24 in New York and GM shares were down 0.5% at $26.25 on Tuesday afternoon. Government/Legal Chrysler Fiat GM

Marchionne to take his sweater and go home after 2018

The end is in sight for Fiat Chrysler boss Sergio Marchionne, who confirmed in an interview with Bloomberg that once FCA's sweeping five-year plan is completed, he'd be stepping down from his post to "undoubtedly" do something else that didn't involve turning around global corporations. That would mean he should finish up after 2018 if all goes according to plan.
"It's as important to walk away from the table as it is to sit down," Marchionne told Bloomberg.
Marchionne has been at Fiat since June of 2004 and is one of the chief architects behind the Italian company's acquisition of Chrysler. Despite his successes, he does sound quite ready to move beyond the auto industry, rhetorically asking his Bloomberg interviewers if there "are other things I like to do apart from this?"