Today, in a meeting held at Unione Industriale di
Torino, Fiat Group CEO, Sergio Marchionne, presented
the trade unions with a proposal to boost output at
Mirafiori by building new D-segment and SUV-style
vehicles based on the new, larger derivatives of the "C-Evo"
platform which already underpins the new Alfa Romeo
Giulietta.
The "C-Evo" platform, which
debuted this year on the Giulietta, is set to become one
of the most important architectures in the Fiat and
Chrysler engineering portfolio and it has already been
widened by 1.6 inch for use in particular by Chrysler
Group products and that revised platform, dubbed "C-Evo
Wide" has then been further stretched to become D-Evo.
Widening C-Evo will also allow the new "Pentastar" V6 to
be fitted in the engine bay which currently doesn't
allow for this option. All three platform spin-offs will
be able to be built down one line at Mirafiori.
The
announcement today noted that: "This platform represents
the most advanced architecture available today,
originally designed as the base for the Giulietta and
further developed at Chrysler. This universal platform
is to be shared by the two Groups and will be used for
development of all future C & D segment passenger cars
and SUVs."
The press
release today only mentions Jeep and Alfa Romeo as being
brands set to to produce larger models at Mirafiori, the
new Jeep Cherokee/Liberty and Alfa Romeo Giulia
(replacing the 159) will both be underpinned by the
forthcoming D-Evo platform, but a whole cluster of Fiat
and Chrysler models are set to be rolled out across C-
and D-segments from this architecture in the next few
years: Chrysler and Dodge are both earmarked to add a
new compact sedan to their ranges mounted on the C-Evo
Wide underpinnings while Jeep's single-model replacement
for the Patriot and Compass will also be mounted on the
C-Evo Wide architecture. Stepping up a class the
next-generation 200 [Sebring] and Avenger will both be
mounted on D-Evo.
The statement
today also said that: "Models produced by the new
company at Mirafiori will also be exported outside the
European Union. More than half of production will be for
international markets, particularly North America. These
will be flagship models for Jeep and Alfa Romeo, the
most international brands of the two Groups with
significant development potential globally. More than 1
billion euros in investment is planned, to be split
between Fiat and Chrysler in proportion to volumes
produced for each brand.
"Bringing this
new platform to Mirafiori will result in potential
production of up to more than 1,000 vehicles per day or
some 250,000-280,000 vehicles per year, resulting in
full utilization of the current workforce and opening
the way for potential new jobs. In addition to the
Group's commitment, the support of trade unions and
employees is essential to realization of this project
and to guarantee the plant the necessary level of
competitiveness in terms of capacity utilization,
productivity and operational flexibility.
"The Fiat CEO
expressed his intention to initiate the project
immediately, as rapid implementation would enable the
plant to be reconfigured in time for the launch of the
future Jeep and Alfa Romeo models, planned for the
3rd/4th quarter of 2012. This is an extraordinary
opportunity for Italian industry to produce cars of
quality and prestige. Mirafiori has all the elements
necessary to achieve a leap of quality and become a
world class plant, producing cars for Europe, North
America and other markets around the world. This project
is the first tangible example of the benefits brought by
the Chrysler alliance to Italian operations and it is
significant that it should take place at Mirafiori, the
symbol of this nation's industrial and automotive
culture."
