Lancia, RHD may never happen......

[toby2449]

FROM AUTOCAR...

Fiat has stalled plans to relaunch Lancia in the UK again – and may cancel them altogether.

Right-hand-drive Lancias were scheduled to be sold in the UK in early 2010, with the all-new Delta spearheading sales, but officially imports have been postponed now until at least 2011.

However, Fiat UK marketing director Elena Bernadelli has revealed the relaunch of Lancia in the UK “is now very unlikely”.

She added that right-hand drive Lancias may now not be made.

In a separte interview, a Fiat spokesman conceded that the company’s alliance with Chrysler had diverted resources, and added that launching an expensive, niche premium-brand product-line in Europe is not currently a priority.

The spokesman suggested that it is not financially viable to re-engineer cars including the Delta and new-generation Ypsilon supermini for a right-hand-drive layout.

[Harvey]

As long as the brand keeps going with new models, I'm not too worried about which side the steering wheel is on.

[fensaddler]

Fiat UK don't want, have never wanted, Lancia back in the UK.  The push has always come from Italy.  The credit crunch and now Chrysler now gives Fiat UK the excuses they wanted.  They'll never be back - which is not good news for the long term future of this club.

[Neil]

If that is true, then FIAT UK appear very narrow minded, there are lot of manufacturers in competition in same sector where sales are probably very flat at present, another manufacturer in the same sector will probably not take away sales from FIAT, but possibly other groups.  Yesterday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Audi and Alfa to name two, were busy on their very large and plush stands, room for Lancia there too.  I hope Lancia can convince their UK partners otherwise when sales pick up generally in Europe to return.