Chrysler Group has
announced that it has begun appointing dealers that will
represent the Fiat brand in the United States. The
dealers appointed in this first phase have plans in
place and will be ready to take orders for the Fiat 500
subcompact.
Chrysler Group
continues to work with some dealers on their proposals
and will name additional Fiat dealers by the end of the
year. In all, Chrysler Group would like to have Fiat
dealers in 119 markets in the U.S., mostly in areas
chosen for their high concentration of small-car
registrations.
Chrysler Group’s Fiat dealer selection team has spent
the last few weeks reviewing proposals from existing
Chrysler Group dealers who want to add the Fiat
franchise to their brand portfolio. The dealers provided
detailed facility, marketing, sales and service plans in
their proposals.
“We have carefully considered each of these dealer
proposals looking for the best locations and the most
creative plans,” said Peter Grady, Chrysler Group’s Vice
President of Network Development and Fleet Operations.
“We are thrilled with their level of interest in
securing the Fiat franchise and in the innovative
proposals they have submitted. We’re excited to be at
the point where we now can start appointing our Fiat
dealer network.”
“We are looking for a customer experience that is as
unique and personalised as the Fiat 500 itself,” said
Laura Soave, Head of Fiat Brand North America. “Some of
the proposals are extremely creative and in many cases
not only met but exceeded our expectations. We are
looking forward to working with our dealer team for the
successful launch of the Fiat Brand in the United States
and offering our customers the personal experience that
they deserve in our Fiat Studios.”
Chrysler Group dealers presented interim and long-term
facility plans that are described in the press release
as both imaginative and resourceful. Some dealers will
build new facilities, while others plan to convert
on-site used car and other buildings into Fiat
dealerships. Some dealers will purchase former auto
dealerships, while others are using empty retail stores
in their markets. Dealers from outside the Chrysler
Group dealer network, the company claims, have also have
shown great interest in securing the Fiat franchise. The
company is now looking at their proposals as well.
Chrysler Group is building the Fiat 500 in its Toluca,
Mexico, assembly plant.
