2014 Fiat 500l Trekking Clear Title Repairable Not Salvage on 2040-cars

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Nissan is optimistic about FCA partnership, but wants the right terms

BEIJING – Nissan is optimistic about partnering with a combined Renault and Fiat Chrysler (FCA), as long as it can protect the ownership of technology developed over two decades of working with Renault, a senior executive told Reuters. The executive, who declined to be identified because he is not authorized to speak to the media, said he was cautiously optimistic about the possibility of generating "synergies" by sharing Nissan's autonomous drive know-how, electrification and greenhouse-gas-scrubbing technologies for powertrains. But he said the possible $35 billion merger of Renault and FCA would not give FCA the automatic right to use those technologies, which it needs to meet stringent emissions regulations and better compete in a industry being transformed by electric vehicles. He also floated the possibility that Nissan could look at boosting its stake in Renault, or a merged Renault-FCA, to gain more say in shaping the future of the alliance. "We would go ahead with partnering or cooperating with FCA only if we can guarantee tangible benefits from sharing technologies with FCA and only if we can work out conditions that are satisfactory to us," the Yokohama-based executive said. "If Renault wants to pursue this deal, we feel we need to look seriously at supporting them," he said. The executive's comments highlight how Nissan could look to leverage its advanced technology to gain greater bargaining power with a merged Renault-FCA. Renault is Nissan's top shareholder with a 43.4% shareholding, while Nissan holds a 15% non-voting stake in the French automaker. That unequal partnership has long rankled Nissan, which is the bigger company by far. A Nissan spokesman referred Reuters to a statement issued on Monday, where Nissan Chief Executive Hiroto Saikawa said: "I believe that the potential addition of FCA as a new member of the alliance could expand the playing field for collaboration and create new opportunities for further synergies." "That said, the proposal currently being discussed is a full merger which — if realized — would significantly alter the structure of our partner Renault. This would require a fundamental review of the existing relationship between Nissan and Renault," Saikawa said, adding that Nissan would analyze and consider its "existing contractual relationships". BOOSTING STAKE?

Fiat 500 Cattiva on the way

While its dealer body has been clamoring for new and larger models, Fiat has actually done a pretty good trade selling all manner of 500 variants, from the standard hatchback and 500C cabriolet to its Abarth models, 500e electric runabout and special editions like the Gucci.
Fiat USA was a little slow out of the gates as it built up brand awareness and its dealer network, but it's now chugging along, with combined 500 model sales outselling that of its arch rival Mini (provided you subtract the Countryman crossover, a model for which Fiat has had no direct competitor up until this point). Franchisees are finally about to get the bigger, broader-appeal model they've been seeking in the form of the five-door 500L, but Fiat is still going to be devoting a lot of attention to their whisker-faced icon, the Cinquecento.
As proof, at the first drive event of the 500L in Baltimore, Fiat North America boss Jason Stoicevich confirmed that his company will produce a production version of the 500 Cattiva concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January. Stoicevich wouldn't divulge the model's pricepoint or availability timeframe, but he told us, "I can guarantee you it will happen. I just can't tell you when."

Fiat 500 Lego Ideas kit is super cool and close to production

Back in 2016, we highlighted an awesome Lego Fiat 500 model that was submitted to the Lego Ideas website. The website, for those of you unfamiliar, is where Lego fans can submit their creations to potentially become production kits that other people could buy. That kit was still in the early stages of hitting 10,000 supporters, the number needed to officially be considered by Lego. We have learned that the kit is now really close to hitting the goal. It has reached 8,255 supporters at the time of writing, and it has 139 days remaining to hit the goal. It's worth supporting, too, if you haven't. We felt that way when we first wrote about it. We were impressed by its opening doors, hood, trunk lid and sunroof. Plus, it's full of cool little details such as windshield wipers, a spare tire under the hood, a little rendition of the 500's already small engine in the back, and a nicely detailed interior. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. We're also impressed at how the creators, Felix Stiessen and Gabriele Zannotti, have been refining the model since we last saw it. It now has clear bricks to form a solid windshield, and there are a number of areas in which the model has been smoothed out and cleaned up. The car's front and roof are key examples. The bumper is now rounded at the corners, and the hood takes advantage of more curved pieces that slope forward for a rounder look. If you want the chance to get one of these 500 kits yourself, definitely go to the Lego Ideas website, sign up, and hit the support button. It doesn't cost anything, and you can find other neat kits to support. There's a very real possibility of the kit reaching production, too. A really cool Lego Caterham kit that garnered enough support on Lego Ideas was approved for production back in 2016, and it's still available for purchase at the Lego website for $79.99. Related Video: Featured Gallery Lego Fiat 500 Image Credit: Felix Stiessen and Gabriele Zannotti Toys/Games Fiat Hatchback Classics Lego