Latest FIAT Bungle with brand

[038tipo]

Hi all , just wanted to vent my disappointment with the latest decisions made on where the brand is going since the tie up with Chrysler.
It appears it is not enough to use the names of past Lancias which frankly is insulting, I hear the next major car show in Italy will have a Lancia stand which will be full of Jeep cars for a celebration...and worse than that, there will be a future model wearing the HF Elephant logo...come on that is ridiculous as it will not have any form of sporting flavour or heritage!
Where is my valium??
Paul.

[thecolonel]

I don't think valium will Br strong enough, I'd
suggest travelling via Ryanair and collecting as
many sickbags as you can....I think you'll need them.

[Jolly_Club_6]

Fiat showing they really are tasteless,  would not be surprised to see some person waiting in the wings with a bag of coloured dye ready to meet the offending vehicle.
Lancia only ever brought Fiat success and this is how they repay them.
Maybe the Arbarth badge will be the next to go.

[zagatoboy]

just another manufacturer trying to cash in on the retro / historic scene with modern piles of s**t!

[fensaddler]

If this is an intention to use Jeep platforms to provide Lancia with soft roaders and SUVs, the acceptability will depend on how good a job is done to develop the cars from the Jeep platform into Lancia versions.  If its little more than badge engineering, its unlikely to be great - but it depends also on the extent to which there is co-development of the platforms which benefits the quality and the engineering integrity of both brands.  Fiat Group involvement has already improved the latest Jeep products substantially, even if they still have some way to go.

[fay66]

If this is an intention to use Jeep platforms to provide Lancia with soft roaders and SUVs, the acceptability will depend on how good a job is done to develop the cars from the Jeep platform into Lancia versions.  If its little more than badge engineering, its unlikely to be great - but it depends also on the extent to which there is co-development of the platforms which benefits the quality and the engineering integrity of both brands.  Fiat Group involvement has already improved the latest Jeep products substantially, even if they still have some way to go.

not too long ago I thought Lancia and Alfa were looking at building their own 4x4's so if that was the case it's just that Jeep will now supply them, which is no different from the use of other models and names, but it's still no justification for using the HF Logo, that should be reserved for the integrale version which is supposed to happen in about 18 months.
Brian
8227

[fensaddler]

If this is an intention to use Jeep platforms to provide Lancia with soft roaders and SUVs, the acceptability will depend on how good a job is done to develop the cars from the Jeep platform into Lancia versions.  If its little more than badge engineering, its unlikely to be great - but it depends also on the extent to which there is co-development of the platforms which benefits the quality and the engineering integrity of both brands.  Fiat Group involvement has already improved the latest Jeep products substantially, even if they still have some way to go.

not too long ago I thought Lancia and Alfa were looking at building their own 4x4's so if that was the case it's just that Jeep will now supply them, which is no different from the use of other models and names, but it's still no justification for using the HF Logo, that should be reserved for the integrale version which is supposed to happen in about 18 months.
Brian
8227

The larger of the two Alfa/Jeep SUVs has apparently been canned in favour of a Maserati to take on the Porsche Cayenne (talk about a pointless market segment - fast, intimidating trucks...), but I think a smaller SUV is still planned.  How this fits with any plans for Lancia is anyone's guess - model plans in the Fiat empire appear to change almost weekly at present, at least if one believes the motoring press.

[Alan Temple]

Slapping HF badges on Jeeps is a new low. Whatever next. 

[Scarpia]

I recall saying that this would all end in tears...but maybe it was going to in any case.
Saying (Chris) it will depend on how good a job they do will determine how acceptable it is to have a lancia badged jeep doesn't wash with me.Why would anybody (let alone a car manufacturer) spend any more than the have to to get a model ,in the showroom? Slightly toned down interior and revamped grill/badge ; job done.So the basics will remain the same , everybody offended and low sales.And I can confirm that the delta looks significantly less attractive with its proud new Chrysler grill...

 

[ian]

in my local paper today, half page feature on the new Epsilon, titled........"Major player back with a new model, thanks to Fiat".........

[lancialulu]

Drove past the "Mistubushi" dealer in Nice which has above its show room the Brands Chrysler, Jeep, and in a temporary way hung up Lancia. Am I thinking Lancia hasnt been a brand sold direct to the French. All very odd.

Tim

[GG]

Someone once posted a picture of a proposal for a larger Lancia, kind of a smaller Maserati Qporte, with some good styling clues, and a nice combination of taste, more modest than the Maser, and yet upscale. Seemed like a great image and market slot for Lancia - really got excited for a moment. Too bad the boys in charge missed that signal.

[fay66]

Someone once posted a picture of a proposal for a larger Lancia, kind of a smaller Maserati Qporte, with some good styling clues, and a nice combination of taste, more modest than the Maser, and yet upscale. Seemed like a great image and market slot for Lancia - really got excited for a moment. Too bad the boys in charge missed that signal.

Surprise Surprise, what's new Geoff

Brian
8227

[Paul Greenway]

Jeeps are Jeeps, they are like Land Rovers- synonomous with Off roading. This is what they do best and should be marketed by Fiat as such to rival Freelanders, Evoques, Defenders, Discoverys & Range Rover Sports in the £25K to £50K market
As long as Fiat owns Alfa Romeo, then Alfas should be sold as the sporting brand with models between £20 & £60k to rival Scirrocos, Audi TT & RS's, Lotus and Porsche Boxters/Caymans.
Fiats should be small cars where they excel between £8k & £20k to rival Ka's, Fiestas & Focus's.
Lancia should be in the £20k to £60k luxury  market to rival M-B A/B/C/E/CLS & R-Classes in all their incarnations.
Maserati should be in the prestigious between £60k & £150k to rival 911's, Cayennes & Panamera's.
Ferrari should be in the £150K plus bracket to rival Lamborghini, McClaren, Pagani & Co.

As for Chrysler/Dodge, well they should not be in the UK they should stay in the states selling Sebrings & Crossfires and 300C's.

Of course this is only my opinion