In deposition notes to the court, Robert Manzo, the executive director of Capstone Advisory Group LLC, a financial advisory services firm that has been retained by Chrysler since late last year to assist with the restructuring process, refers to the Fiat Panda as the "Jeep Panda" which would seem to confirm rumours that the A-segment Fiat is set to bear a Jeep badge. C-EVO is a new C-segment platform that is a major evolution of the current Fiat Bravo/Lancia Delta architecture and will make its Fiat Group debut on Alfa Romeo's replacement for the long running Alfa 147. Progetto 940 (above) as the project is officially known is expected to the called the 'Milano'.

In deposition notes to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York specific reference has been made for the first time to Fiat and Alfa Romeo models that will be built or imported into the U.S. by Chrysler once the new alliance gets into gear, with the Fiat Panda, Punto and forthcoming C-Evo as well as Alfa Romeo's MiTo and future Milano (940) all detailed. The model outline comes from the deposition notes to the court of Chrysler LLC Vice-Chairman and President Tom LaSorda and Robert Manzo an executive with Capstone Advisory Group LLC, a firm that has been retained by Chrysler to assist with the restructuring process.

In LaSorda's lengthy notes he also makes reference to contacts with Fiat stretching as far back as March 2008, saying that "during a meeting with Sergio Marchionne, Fiat's CEO, and Alfredo Altavilla, Fiat's Senior VP of business development, I proposed that Fiat and Chrysler investigative the possibility of joint projects on small cars in the United States market." He said the initial discussions had focused on the "manufacture and sale" of the Fiat 500 and a "potential joint venture that would allow Chrysler dealers to sell Alfa Romeo vehicles". By April 2008 the talks had expanded to cover "products, powertrain, markets and manufacturing areas" and by the "summer of 2008" the talks had widened much further to cover a full-blown alliance between the two carmakers.

Saying that the "Access to Fiat technology and platforms is a critical benefit of the alliance," LaSorda added that "Fiat would give Chrysler access to its 3.0-litre diesel engine and 1.4-litre gas engine technology, critical pieces for Chrysler to meet the new fuel economy standards. Chrysler would also be better able to meet its environmental regulation through its access to Fiat's Multiair systems."

Talking about future product platform and powertrain developments LaSorda said that: "Chrysler and Fiat have identified four vehicle platforms and two engine and transmission families that can be used in the alliance. Among those platforms are Fiat's highly successful C-EVO platform, which Fiat and Chrysler have agreed to manufacture at one of Chrysler's U.S. plants, and Fiat's small car F500 and Fiat's hatchback." He emphasised that "these plans are concrete and specific." C-EVO is a new C-segment platform that is a major evolution of the current Fiat Bravo/Lancia Delta architecture and will make its Fiat Group debut on Alfa Romeo's replacement form the long-running Alfa 147. Progetto 940, as the project is officially known, is expected to the called the 'Milano'. LaSorda added: "These shared platforms will result in substantial savings to Chrysler while accelerating an entry into the small-car market. Without Fiat, it would cost approximately US$8 billion to US$10 billion and four to five years for Chrysler to develop four new platforms, two new engine families and two new transmission families."

Meanwhile another court deposition offers further clarification of the models in the frame, this time from Robert Manzo, the executive director of Capstone Advisory Group LLC, a financial advisory services firm that has been retained by Chrysler since late last year to assist with the restructuring process. "Fiat would provide cars in segments not currently served or those underserved by Chrysler," said Manzo in his notes, "particularly as market demand increases for more fuel-efficient, smaller vehicles. These car lines include: the Fiat 500 and Jeep Panda, in the smallest 'A' segment; the Grand Punto and Alfa Mito in the subcompact 'B' segment; and the Evo sedan and Milano 940 in the 'C' segment." Interestingly in his statement he refers to the Fiat Panda as the "Jeep Panda" which would seem to confirm rumours that the A-segment Fiat is set to bear a Jeep badge.