1970 Fiat 500 All Original By Carlo Francesco Lombardi on 2040-cars

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Fiat 500L production halted in Serbia

News is trickling out of the Serbian factory that's responsible for Fiat 500L production that work has stopped due to a delay in parts delivery. Fiat has been mum on the reasoning for the stoppage, which is going on its tenth day, according to Automotive News. "Production ceased on Wednesday and we still don't know when it will resume," said a spokesperson for Fiat's Serbian operations.
While Fiat isn't saying what the issue is, AN is reporting a number of workers for a local transport company are protesting over unpaid wages. They've blocked the road and rail lines leading towards the factory, preventing the delivery of parts for production.
If the stoppage continues, it's going to be bad news for the 500L, as its numbers have just started to pick up following its launch in June. According to a report earlier this month, sales cracked 1,000 units in September. A lengthy delay in production will also count as another blow for local Fiat dealers, which have struggled over small profits, a limited lineup and rumors that Fiat stores will not be selling the Alfa Romeo 4C as promised.

UAW may be key to forced FCA merger with GM

Sergio Marchionne doesn't give up on a business deal easily. While outwardly not much has recently been said about FCA's attempted merger with General Motors, Marchionne might be hoping to garner a powerful, new ally that could help break things wide open. The United Auto Workers retiree health care trust is the single largest shareholder of GM with 8.7 percent of the stock, and having its support would certainly improve FCA's position in getting a deal done. "Whatever happens in terms of consolidation, it would never be done without the consent and support of the UAW," Marchionne said when FCA recently began contract talks with the UAW, The Detroit News reports. The boss is also allegedly on good terms with the union president Dennis Williams. Still, using the organization for a hostile takeover could be very difficult because of the way its votes are structured. Other activist investors might already be on board, though. Marchionne believes that consolidation in the industry is vital because automakers are investing to create the same technologies. A GM/FCA merger still has many roadblocks, though, including the fact that Marchionne's company is smaller than GM. From a regulatory perspective, the size of the merged company could raise serious anti-trust concerns among regulators, according to The Detroit News. There's also the concern for lost jobs from redundant work with the two combined businesses. Even if the UAW angle doesn't work out, there are contingency plans afoot for other merger targets. According to The Detroit News speaking to anonymous insiders, FCA bigwigs have a meeting in London on Thursday to take a close look at other options. In addition to GM, they are investigating possible deals with Volkswagen and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. In the past, PSA Peugeot Citroen and multiple Asian automakers have also been brought up as partners, and UBS has reportedly been providing financial advice on what to do.

Petrolicious shines the spotlight on a little-known, Fiat-based racecar

Petrolicious has a way of finding intriguing, obscure vehicles that are owned by fascinating people all across the world. In this latest video, the filmmakers discover the soft-spoken Fabrizio Lorenzoni in Italy and showcase his utterly gorgeous Fiat 1100 Stanguellini. Stanguellini was a mechanic from the sports car hotbed of Modena, Italy, who earned a name for himself by modifying Fiat engines for racing. This one started its competition life in 1948 with open wheels but gained these curvaceous fenders a few years later for events like the Mille Miglia. Lorenzoni was lucky enough to grow up right on the course of Parma-Poggio di Berceto road race. His father must have loved seeing the Italian sports cars zipping by the home, too, because he bought the Stanguellini in 1955 with no intention of racing. It wasn't until 1977 that Fabrizio put the roadster back into competition. Petrolicious shoots Lorenzoni crammed behind the wheel of the little Stanguellini on some bucolic, Italian roads. It's absolutely a beauty to behold.