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Fiat Chrysler target 850k sales in China by 2018

Behind the vanguard of numerous Jeep models, two Chryslers, a smattering of Fiats and Alfa Romeos and local production through a joint venture with Guangzhou Automotive Group (GAG), Fiat Chrysler wants to increase sales in China more than six-fold by 2018. The group sold 130,000 cars in China in 2013, the aim for 2018 being 850,000 cars.
Ultimately it's expected that the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Cherokee, Wrangler, Renegade, the coming Grand Wagoneer and a sub-Renegade-sized crossover will either be built in or exported to the People's Republic. The Chrysler Town & Country and 300 will join the export list in 2016 and 2018 respectively, according to a report in Automotive News.
With a number of those vehicles not in production or perhaps even envisaged yet, and others not due on the local market until 2018, it will be interesting to see how Fiat Chrysler plans to achieve the target in the specified timeframe. The joint venture with GAG builds two products now, the Dodge Dart-based Fiat Viaggio launched two years ago - supposedly designed just for China - and the just-launched Fiat Ottimo, a hatchback version of the Viaggio. Fiat projected 300,000 Viagio sales in its first two years, that number has been adjusted downward to 94,000 and there doesn't appear to be an analyst alive that sees a good future for Fiat in China's overrun mainstream market. Still, last year's 130,000 group sales in China is a huge jump from 2012 sales of 66,000 units, but less than half the 300,000 units it projected.

Fiat 500L ad gets saucy with Paul Revere

At new vehicle first drives, there's a pretty set series of events before an automaker throws you the keys to their new baby. Predictably, there's a design presentation, a mechanical deep dive, and increasingly, an infotainment system walkthrough. Less known but just as common, however, are the marketing presentations, wherein execs talk about target customers and periodically show print and video 'creative' for their campaigns. Usually, we assembled media dutifully watch, nod and smile when shown commercials, but that's about it. Laugher - let alone universal gales of the stuff - is rare. But that's exactly what Fiat got when it showed us this not-yet-approved ad for its new 500L.
This minute-long Italian Invasion spot has gone on to hit television screens already, largely in a less-effective 30-second form, but we like this full-length director's cut best. It riffs off the historical vibe of some of Chrysler's best efforts over the last few years (the Dodge Challenger Freedom spot comes to mind) with a humorous and sexy play on the Paul Revere "The British Are Coming!" folk tale. If you haven't seen it already (it's just now going viral), scroll down to check it out. And if you already have, well, it's still worth a second look.

Ram confirms Fiat Ducato vans to form new Promaster series for US

Chrysler has officially confirmed that Ram will develop an all-new large van for the US market based on the Fiat Ducato. The commercial rig will go on sale in the third quarter of next year, joining the Ram C/V on the company's professional van line. Expect to see the Promaster face off against the Ford Transit and revised Chevrolet Express.
Chrysler is pretty skimpy on details when it comes to the Promaster, but it has said the vehicle will make use of "familiar Ram Truck styling cues." The van will reportedly also bow with powertrains targeted specifically at the North American market.
Chrysler and Ram made the announcement ahead of the LA Auto Show alongside news that the company will launch a new Ram commercial truck division.