Fiat planning to ship 500, Alfa Romeo 940 to U.S. next year
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/coupes/" rel="tag">Coupes</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sedans/" rel="tag">Sedans/Saloons</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchbacks</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/chrysler/" rel="tag">Chrysler, LLC.</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/alfa-romeo/" rel="tag">Alfa Romeo</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/fiat/" rel="tag">FIAT</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/300452/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/070705_f_fiat500_37_580op .jpg" /></a><br />
<div align="center"><em><stron g><small>Click either image for a high-res gallery</small></strong></em><br /></div>
<br />As soon as word hit that <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&ct=re s&cd=3&url=http%3A%2F%2Fw ww.autoblog.com%2F2009%2F 01%2F20%2Fbreaking-chrysler-and-fiat-announce-partnership%2F&ei=DxuZSYr PApqWsAOqk91y&usg=AFQjCNH rt_m_BetVM-XM1vFW9u6ghfpMzQ&sig2=Wpa RpDb7BFtJ4bkKpDkuBg">Fiat and Chrysler</a> <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/26/fiat-chrysler-partnership-will-bring-7-new-models-to-u-s/">were striking a deal</a>, visions of 500s and Alfas began dancing in our heads. According to an anonymous source speaking with <em>Automotive News</em>, those visions aren't too far off, and they could be realized within a year.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spd-alfa-169-designs/956329/"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" align="right" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/02/spd-169-10_250op.jpg" /></a>In a bid to kick-start Fiat and Alfa Romeo's return to the U.S., the automaker could start exporting vehicles to the States as early as 2010. After which - and assuming the reception's warm - Fiat would begin producing the 500 and the new Alfa 940 in North America in mid-2011. At the onset, the first models available would be limited to a few thousand and would be sold through Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep retailers.<br /><br />Furthermore, the deal between the two automakers would give Chrysler access to four Fiat platforms, ranging from minicars to mid-sizers, along with 1.4- and 1.8-liter engines and a new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox (internally dubbed the G365), that would pick up where <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/19/chrysler-deal-with-getrag-reportedly-dead/">Chrysler's failed alliance with Getrag</a> left off.<br /><br /><em>AN</em> also reports that Fiat is considering using the Chrysler LX platform, which currently underpins the 300 and Dodge Charger, as the basis for the perpetually-delayed, upper-premium Alfa Romeo 169. A rear-wheel-drive sedan with Alfa's stunning sheetmetal? Our interest is piqued, but we're not holding our breath.<br /><br /><div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/">Fiat 500</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/300578/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/070321_f_500_06a_thumbnai l.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/300577/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/070321_f_500_05a_thumbnai l.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/300466/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/070705_f_fiat500_01_thumb nail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/300442/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/070705_f_fiat500_02_thumb nail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/fiat-500-4/300449/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/07/070705_f_fiat500_04_thumb nail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />[Source: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/article/20090216/ANA03/902160348/1193">Automotive News</a> - Sub. Req.]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/fiat-planning-to-ship-500-alfa-romeo-940-to-u-s-next-year/">Fiat planning to ship 500, Alfa Romeo 940 to U.S. next year</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:56:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/fiat-planning-to-ship-500-alfa-romeo-940-to-u-s-next-year/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/1461350/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/fiat-planning-to-ship-500-alfa-romeo-940-to-u-s-next-year/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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